Sheep Newsletter - October 2024

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In this month's edition:

• Grassland management
  Plan grass supply for spring 2025 now. March-lambing flocks need to have at least 20% of the grazing area closed by the end of October. Identify the fields that you will be grazing first next spring, e.g., dry sheltered fields closest to the yard.
• Parasites
  • Stomach worms
    We have seen very high worm egg counts in lambs over the last two months. When dosing lambs, it is a good idea to take faecal egg counts (FECs) seven days post treatment for yellow wormers (levamisole) or 14 days post treatment for white (benzimidazole) or clear (macrocyclic lactone) wormers.
  • Haemonchus contortus – barber’s pole worm
    This worm causes disease in all age groups, i.e., mature animals do not develop immunity. In most cases, the first sign of the disease is dead sheep. The regional veterinary laboratories are reporting more and more cases of this parasite. Affected sheep become anaemic, do not scour and may have a bottle jaw appearance. 
  • External parasites
    External parasites such as scab, lice and ticks are best controlled by plunge dipping.
• Mating management
  Key points for successful mating are:
  • rams that are in good body condition have higher levels of libido (desire to mate);
  • ideal ewe-to-ram ratios are 45:1 for mature rams and 25:1 for ram lambs;
  • three or more rams per mating group will help to guard against infertility and blocker rams;
  • raddle is cheap and the best insurance policy against empty ewes at scanning time – change the colour every two weeks, and start with the lighter colours first;
  • lame sheep are a big problem during the mating season – treat lame ewes and rams promptly;
  • infections that increase body temperature will render the ram temporarily infertile – be conscious of this for rams that have been purchased close to the breeding season; and,
  • details of star-rated rams (including Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS)-eligible rams) can be found on the Sheep Ireland website: www.ramsearch.ie 
• BETTER Farm Update - FEC testing shows its value
  Frank Campion, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry takes a look at the BETTER farms’ battle with parasites. FECs rose sharply on some of the BETTER farms in late August/early September, requiring the owners to go in with anthelmintic drenches to lambs. Equally, some flocks’ egg counts remained comparatively low and rose at a slower rate. 
• Research Update - Mating underway for 2025 season
  Fiona McGovern, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway reports on mating on the INZAC and breeding flocks at Athenry. Grass growing conditions have remained steady since my last update. Average growth over the past few weeks has been 55kg DM/day, with 26 days ahead. Having a surplus at this time of year is welcome as our grazing pressure increases with multiple mating groups. As we go to print, the INZAC Suffolk and Texel ewes are being sponged using Chronogest sponges and will receive an injection of 400iu PMSG prior to artificial insemination, which is due to take place on October 2 and 8.
• Health & Safety
  • Grant for PTO shaft covers
    Reminder – the National Farm Safety Measure 2024 provides a financial contribution for up to four PTO shaft covers. Closing date for applications is November 1. For further information talk to your advisor or go to: www.gov.ie/farmsafety
  • Plan for winter housing of animals
    It is important to make a list of repairs needed and plan to get them done in preparation for winter housing. Farm maintenance drives farm efficiency, saves time and labour, and improves safety.