Dr. Finbarr O’Regan from the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM) Inspectors joins us on this week’s OviCast. Finbarr discusses the introduction of the National Fertiliser Database and the fertiliser register taking us through the key dates, registration process and how it will work for the coming season including some of the implications for both merchants and farmers. We finish up discussing the importance of entering the closing stocks this autumn. For more information visi...
Sep 05, 2023•25 min•Ep. 192
At a point in the season where we’re looking at how lambs perform and where the tail end lambs come from, on this week’s OviCast podcast, we chat to Dr Frank Campion about how foster lambs perform in commercial flocks. Frank discusses some work he has recently presented on the topic, we discuss how these lambs grow in early and late lactation, the variation among them and their counterparts and some of the reasons why some lag behind and others aren’t successfully reared drop off. We finish up d...
Aug 29, 2023•11 min•Ep. 191
Sheep enterprise leader, Dr Philip Creighton, is on this week’s OviCast to discuss planning ahead for this autumn. We discuss the impact poor grazing conditions has had on lamb performance this year and the knock-on effect this has on management for the autumn. Philip emphasises the importance of accessing grass supply and increased demand on farms. We discuss grass growth rates, fertiliser applications and building covers as we move into the autumn. We finish up with Philip discussing the need ...
Aug 15, 2023•19 min•Ep. 190
Bord Bia Sheep Sector manager, Seamus McMenamin, joins us on the latest OviCast podcast to give a market update. Seamus discusses current throughput and some of the challenges with light carcass at present. He also discusses the international trade, in particular the increased volumes of Australian lambs and what impact that has had on our export market. Seamus has an update on plant approval to get lamb exported onto the US market, and with store lamb sales ramping up, we move on to discuss the...
Aug 08, 2023•17 min•Ep. 189
Teagasc Advisor, Edward Egan, joins us on the latest OviCast episode to discuss designing a sheep handling unit. Having good handling facilities can reduce labour, improves both safety and welfare for handler and sheep alike and also encourages timely preventative actions. Edward talks about the booklet he produced, ‘A Guide to Designing a Sheep Handling Unit’ and he discusses the key aspects of design from considering the sheep’s behaviour, location and size, to some of the key features that ca...
Aug 01, 2023•38 min•Ep. 188
We’re joined on the latest OviCast episode by Teagasc Advisor, Edward Egan, to talk to us about the sheep handling equipment available under the TAMS III Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme. We discuss what the grant aid rates are and how these are calculated; Edward outlines what fixed and mobile equipment covered under the scheme; and he takes us through the application process highlighting some of the key dates and information required at submission and explains how to check if the applicat...
Jul 25, 2023•15 min•Ep. 187
Dr Frank Campion joins us on this episode of OviCast with an update on lamb performance and management on the BETTER farms. Frank starts off describing the bounce back in lamb growth rate on the farms in May and June. We tease this out discussing grassland management, parasite challenge and the impact of early weaning. We move on to discuss the current state of play on the farms with regards to weaning weight, drafting the implications of carrying increased numbers for some into the second half ...
Jul 18, 2023•18 min•Ep. 186
Kevin Mc Dermott, Sheep Ireland manager, joins us on this week’s OviCast to talk about the genotyped ram task that forms part of the Sheep Improvement Scheme. Kevin first explains what’s involved in the task for lowland and hill producers. He talks about ram eligibility and how to identify these rams using the Sheep Ireland ram search tool or the sales catalogues. Finally, he discusses the numbers of eligible rams that are available via the Sheep Ireland ram search at: ramsearch.ie For more epis...
Jul 11, 2023•17 min•Ep. 185
Sheep specialist, Damian Costello, is on this week’s OviCast to talk about managing the parasite challenge over the coming weeks. Damian explains what the burden is and he and Ciarán discuss the current challenge, monitoring worm burden and deciding when to dose. Damian explains the importance of knowing how effective your wormer is, how to conduct a drench test and interpret the results. Finally, he highlights some of the resource material available to help explain some of the issues raised in ...
Jun 28, 2023•18 min•Ep. 184
This week’s OviCast catches up with Ger Carey from Gurteen College in this week’s episode to give us a run down on the 450 strong sheep system they operate in Gurteen. Ger brings us through the early and mid-season production systems, how this has changed to accommodate students and future plans on the flocks. We discuss breeding, wintering on forage crops and managing ewe condition. We talk about lamb performance this year, drafting and the importance of hitting carcass spec for their system. T...
Jun 20, 2023•25 min•Ep. 183
Why are ewes leaving the flock and can we reduce the level of ewe wastage? On this week’s OviCast podcast, we discuss this topic in more detail with Prof. Paul Keynon from New Zealand’s Massey University. Paul discusses the reasons ewes are culled and lost out of the system and explains the impact this can have on flock output, lamb performance and costs in the system. Paul also talks to us about variation in ewe replacement rates in flocks in New Zealand and some of the reasons for these differ...
Jun 13, 2023•14 min•Ep. 182
On this week’s OviCast, we talk to Dr. Frank Campion about the impact this spring has had on lamb performance. Frank gives us an update of the lamb growth rate on the BETTER farms and we talk about the variation among the flocks and how the performance compares to previous years. Frank discusses some of the reasons for this and how the difficult conditions following turnout made this worse. We finish up discussing what impact this will have on lamb sales this year as well as some of the steps fa...
Jun 06, 2023•15 min•Ep. 181
For this week’s OviCast episode, Ciarán Lynch caught up with Prof. Paul Keynon, Head of School, School of Agriculture & Environment/Professor in Sheep Husbandry at Massey University in New Zealand to discuss the option of early weaning as a management tool for certain sheep systems. Paul defines what early weaning is and at what age and weight lambs need to be for it to be considered. They discuss when and where it could be considered an option for flocks and what impact it can have on their...
May 30, 2023•14 min•Ep. 180
With the shearing season underway, for this week’s episode we chat to shearer and Mayo native David Heraty. First David describes a typical shearing season for him and how this year has started off. David tells us how he got started and built up his shearing contracting business over the past decade. We discuss the importance of shearing courses to equip farmers with this skill and the challenge of getting the next generation involved. We also talk about the preparation on the day of shearing to...
May 23, 2023•24 min•Ep. 179
For this week’s OviCast, we chat to post-graduate student, Lisa McGrane, about some of the factors influencing the establishment and persistency of companion herb and legume forages in sheep swards. Lisa discusses some of the work they have undertaken in the area, examining the impact of herbs (chicory & plantain) and legumes (white and red clover) on performance and productivity. We discuss the impact of various establishment methods on sward content of companion herbs and legumes, issues a...
May 16, 2023•24 min•Ep. 178
This week on OviCast, I got the opportunity to sit down with father and son duo, Eddie and Aidan Connell, who farm at Clonbullogue, Co Offaly, and who are hosting this year’s Irish Grassland sheep event. The father and son partnership are running a 400 ewe mid-season flock, finishing upwards of 150 bulls and grow winter barley and maize for their own use. Eddie and Aidan talk about how each of the enterprises operate and the integrated nature of the farm. We discuss some of the challenges this s...
May 09, 2023•21 min•Ep. 177
Darren Carty, sheep and schemes editor from the Irish Farmers Journal is on this week’s OviCast to talk about the Sheep 2023 industry event which takes place in Gurteen Agricultural College on June 18th. Darren explains where this year’s event is happening and the background to it and previous events. He discusses the broad range of activities that are on display from sheep shows and breed exhibits to trade stands and the host of technical workshops that will be there on the day. Darren highligh...
May 02, 2023•22 min•Ep. 176
On this week’s OviCast, I’m joined by Catherine Egan host of the Teagasc Beef Edge podcast for a joint episode to discuss all things clover with Dr. Mike Egan, Teagasc researcher. Mike starts by highlighting the potential role of clover in drystock systems, how it works and the potential cost savings. We discuss the impact of soil fertility and weed control has on successful establishment and Mike talks about the impact of timing, sowing rate and varieties selection and over-sowing methods of in...
Apr 25, 2023•29 min•Ep. 175
After a difficult number of weeks, conditions appear to be turning the corner providing an opportunity to get grazing back on track, and on this week’s OviCast, we’re joined by Dr Philip Creighton to discuss some of the steps needed over the coming weeks. Philip starts by discussing the impact recent conditions have had on sheep systems. He discusses grazing targets, fertiliser type and application rates for the coming weeks, emphasising the need to boost supplies during a period of high demand....
Apr 18, 2023•18 min•Ep. 174
Dr. Orla Keane is on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss the challenge of Nematodirus in lambs this spring. Orla first explains how the Nematodirus challenge can carry over on farms from year to year. She highlights the Department of Agriculture Nematodirus forecast and the implications for farmers. Orla explains what age it affects lambs, the clinical signs, as well as the risk for young calves. She also discusses the possibility of co-infection with Coccidia and explains the treatment optio...
Apr 11, 2023•10 min•Ep. 173
On this week’s OviCast podcast, we’re joined by postgraduate student, Jake Delaney, and Teagasc Researcher, Dr Frank Campion, to discuss a new project that aims to examine lameness and associated issues on Irish farms. Jake first outlines the common causes and issues around lameness, while Frank discusses the impact it has on performance and some of the practical control issues that occur at farm level. Jake explains what they will be examining in the study and highlights an online survey that i...
Apr 04, 2023•12 min•Ep. 172
Conditions during March have been difficult and has thrown up many challenges for farmers. On this week's OviCast podcast, we’re joined by Teagasc’s Head of Sheep, Michael Gottstein, to discuss this in more detail and offer some advice on how to manage things through this period for those at different stages - from those lambed in early March, to those currently lambing and with outdoor lambing flocks. We discuss various aspects of management, grazing, nutrition and hygiene and highlight some of...
Mar 29, 2023•28 min•Ep. 171
Having access to some source of hot water in the farmyard is essential, especially in spring. For some farms however, there is a requirement to supply larger volumes either for artificial rearing of lambs or calves or for general farm use. So what are the options and which suits best? This week’s OviCast is joined by Teagasc Researcher, Dr John Upton, to shed some light on this topic. John first outlines the various heat sources that are available and emphasises the importance of knowing what th...
Mar 21, 2023•12 min•Ep. 170
Sheep specialist, Michael Gottstein, is on this week’s OviCast podcast to talk about diagnosing and treating hypothermia in lambs. Michael explains what hypothermia is, the symptoms and predisposing factors. They discuss steps involved to warm these lambs up to normal body temperature based on age, severity and the type of energy source required. Michael explains why and how to use the glucose/intra-peritoneal injection, describing the technique, how to make up the glucose solution and why it’s ...
Mar 14, 2023•20 min•Ep. 169
Dr Emer Kennedy joins Ciarán Lynch on this latest OviCast podcast to talk about some key aspects of colostrum management on farms. Emer explains the importance of colostrum in newborn ruminants and discusses the importance of hygiene during the collection process, storage both fresh and frozen of the colostrum, as well as the correct thawing procedure. Emer highlights the impact management has on colostrum quality during each of these tasks and offers some useful practical tips that farmers can ...
Mar 07, 2023•12 min•Ep. 168
County Antrim veterinarian and sheep farmer, Paul Crawford, who is also the chairman of the Northern Ireland Sheep Scab Group joins us on the latest OviCast podcast to discuss sheep scab. Paul starts by explaining what causes sheep scab, the clinical symptoms and how to diagnose it in flocks. We discuss the routes of transmission and risk factors for the spread of mites before Paul takes us through the treatment options and the challenge of developing resistance to some of these, highlighting th...
Feb 28, 2023•28 min•Ep. 167
In this bonus episode from a recent Let’s Talk Sheep webinar, you'll hear from veterinarian Charles Chavasse who is the Area Veterinary Manager with Zoetis. Charles describes what the different clostridial diseases are and how they affect the animal. He goes on to explain the vaccination process adding some useful tips and highlights some common pitfalls. Charles also takes questions submitted by the audience on the night and a full recording of the webinar will be available on the Teagasc YouTu...
Feb 24, 2023•25 min•Ep. 166
This week’s OviCast podcast is from a recent Let’s Talk Sheep webinar with Maresa Sheehan who is based in the DAFM RVL in county Kilkenny. Maresa talks about the flock health issues that they observe in the lab each spring, what causes them and explains what approach to take when issues occur. She goes on to discuss the thin ewe survey which is a new project being run by the RVLs across the country this year. Maresa also takes questions submitted by the audience on the night and a full recording...
Feb 22, 2023•38 min•Ep. 165
Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist, Mark Plunkett, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss fertiliser planning this spring. With fertiliser costs remaining high, Mark starts by explaining timing, location and rate of nitrogen application this spring with Mark highlighting the crops’ requirements at present. He discusses the P & K requirements and how this could be supplied to grazing ground and the silage crop with Mark emphasising the importance of slurry use...
Feb 14, 2023•15 min•Ep. 164
For the latest OviCast podcast, Ciarán Lynch discusses late pregnancy nutrition with Dr Tim Keady. Tim discusses the impact of nutrition on performance in the weeks before lambing and Tim explains the increase in foetal growth that occurs during these final weeks of gestation and the impact this has on the ewe’s energy demand and intake. He discusses concentrate price and why it’s essential to examine ration composition when purchasing. Tim expands on this point giving his pick of energy, fibre ...
Feb 08, 2023•23 min•Ep. 163
