OviCast

Dr. Frank Campion re-joins us as we discuss lamb performance post-weaning on the latest OviCast podcast.

Frank talks about lamb performance on farms post-weaning and some of the factors that influence this. 

We discuss lamb growth rates since weaning on the BETTER farms and how they have been managing lambs. 

We move on to discuss lamb management, finish times, supplementation and where the priorities lie on farms for the coming weeks.

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Dr. Frank Campion joins us on this week’s OviCast as we discuss getting the ewe flock in the right condition for mating. 

Frank discusses some of the tasks that need to be completed at the moment. We discuss the ewe condition on the better farms post weaning and some of the causes of low body condition at present and the management of replacement hoggets.  

We move on to discuss nutritional requirements, grazing management and keeping sufficient replacements. 

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead. 

Niamh discusses current growth rates and grass covers and some of the variation across the country. 

We discuss building covers as we head into the autumn with Niamh offering advice on reducing demand and fertiliser application. 

We finish up with Niamh offering tips on grazing management at present.

For more, you can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

We’re joined on this week’s OviCast by Dr Philip Creighton to discuss autumn redesign. 

We start by discussing the impact of timing on reseeds. We discuss field prep, different reseeding methods and their suitability and fertiliser and lime applications. 

Philip also explains variety selection and the inclusion of clover, plus we discuss post-sowing management, the grazing of new reseeds this autumn and the impact that can have on production next spring. 

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

We’re joined on this week’s episode of OviCast by Jaynell Anderson, Programme Manager with Sheep Ireland, to discuss the SIS Genotype ram task. 

With ram sales underway, Jaynell gives us a recap on what the requirements of the SIS ram task are for hill and lowland flocks and how to identify eligible SIS approved rams in sales catalogues and using the ram search tool. 

We also discuss some of the frequently asked questions about the task and we finish up discussing ram supply and the upcoming multibreed sale in August and the new hill ram sale later this Autumn.

For the ram search go to: 

https://appsh.sheep.ie/ram-search

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Catherine Egan, host of the Beef Edge podcast, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we catch up with Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, to get an update on the current situation and discuss management tips in the coming weeks.

Niamh first highlights the factors that have limited grass growth over the last number of months. 

She also comments on the long term Nitrogen fertiliser type trial at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, which provides an insight as to how different fertiliser types/formulations have performed under the same conditions and with N applied at the same time and at the same rate. 

Niamh discusses ways to reduce demand by scanning early to remove empty cows and cull ewes and the introducing of creep to lambs and weanlings.  

Coming into August, it is important to focus on building grass covers and Niamh explains the ways farmers can achieve this, as well as discussing fertiliser plans and the need to target slurry to replenish offtakes and completing fodder budget. 

Niamh then finishes up discussing her key tips for management in the coming weeks.

Further information is available at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/

Subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here: 

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

This week we talk to Dr Orla Keane about monitoring the parasite challenge in lambs. 

We discuss the challenge stomach worms poses from this point of the season onward with Orla talking about using faecal sampling to monitor worm burden, explaining the process, what’s being tested and what the results mean. 

Orla also discusses the thresholds for dosing and the factors that influence the rise in worm counts. 

We move on to discuss drench testing to determine dose efficacy and we finish up highlighting best practice around faecal sampling and why it should be used on farms. 

For more information go to: 

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/flock-health/anthelmintic-resistance/

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

On this week’s OviCast we’re taking a grazing focus and are joined by Philip Creighton. 

We discuss grass supply and sward quality and some of the factors that are influencing it at the moment. 

We move on to  discuss management options for the coming weeks and finish up the episode discussing fertiliser applications. 

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Sheep Specialist, Michael Gottstein, joins us on this week’s OviCast to discuss weaning options on farms. 

We discuss the current situation on farms, challenges with grass quality and why weaning now is beneficial. 

Michael explains the weaning process with some useful tips and management of the ewes and lambs post-weaning. 

We finish up discussing some of the areas we need to address at the moment from parasite burden to mineral supplementation to tackling lameness. 

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Jayne Harkness-Bones, Depot Manager with Ulster Wool, joins us for this week’s OviCast to discuss the factors that influence the quality of wool, the challenges in the marketplace in recent years and what happens to the wool from purchase until it reaches market. 

We talk about shearing, wool handling and storage, with Jayne highlighting some simple practices to make the process easier and improve the quality of the wool harvested. 

In the latter half of the podcast, Jayne who is also a council member of the Irish Grown Wool Council, discusses some of the work they have been involved in to realise the potential of wool, develop further opportunities and provide support to the industry. 

For more information on some of the items discussed see the following links:

https://irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/

Preparing for Shearing: https://youtu.be/QiyvrF9g-dc 

Top tips on how to harvest wool at shearing time: https://youtu.be/qO8HJdMsmME 

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast