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 and alternative strategies where this is not available. 

He then discusses the impact of correcting soil pH has on productivity and N use efficiency and why more farmers need to consider spreading lime where needed. 

Finally, Mark highlights the importance of fertiliser spreader calibration this spring. 

For more info: 

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/soil--soil-fertility/

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

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 and protein sources he would include in a ration. 

The discussion moves on to the impact of protein source on performance with Tim discussing the results of trials comparing soya bean meal to alternative protein sources. 

Finally, Tim explains target feeding rates and what influences this.  

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 podcast Ciarán Lynch caught up with Dr Dave Leathwick following this year’s National Sheep Conference. 

Dave, who is principal scientist in parasitology at the Pastoral Agricultural Research Centre in New Zealand, has for almost 35 years been researching nematode parasites of grazing livestock, with a focus on their biology and control, and the development and management of anthelmintic resistance. 

Dave discusses the challenge posed by anthelminthic resistance in New Zealand and the factors contributing to its development. 

In a wide ranging discussion Dave explains in detail the impact of dosing adult ewes for worms has on the development of resistance. 

He finishes up discussing how worm control will require a change in mind-set going forward to maintain a susceptible worm population on farms. 

Read Dave’s paper from the National Sheep Conference here:
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2023/National-Sheep-Conferences-2023.pdf

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

Seamus McMenamin, Sector Manager with Bord Bia, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast with an update on the current market trends. 

Seamus first discusses the throughput in the back end of 2022 and the carryover  of lambs into this year before moving on to some of the challenges seen in the current trade and lamb consumption figures in our main markets as well as the domestic trade. 

Seamus also highlights the current lamb supply and demand on the global market and what the prospects are for the coming months. 

Finally, Seamus explains the growth seen in export markets during 2022 and new markets for this season. 

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

Dr Tim Keady joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss managing ewe lamb replacements and the influence that has on their subsequent productivity. 

Tim first outlines the various sources of replacements in the national flocks. With the majority of these replacements not entering flocks until 18-19 months of age, he discusses the various factors during the rearing phase that influence their subsequent productivity. 

Tim breaks down the rearing phase into winter and summer management and explains their impacts. 

He then discusses the target weights at the various stages and how these might be achieved. 

Finally, Tim highlights the importance of replacement ewe lambs management and why it’s an investment in the future productivity of the flock. 

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

For the latest OviCast podcast, Ciarán Lynch is joined by county Leitrim farmer, John O’Connell, who is a participant in the Teagasc Signpost programme. 

John discusses what’s been happening on the farm in the past few weeks as he has housed the ewe flock. 

He also talks about grazing management this autumn and some of the challenges and benefits of winter grazing off farm. 

John explain maintaining ewe condition and the move to winter shearing ewes in recent seasons as well as why he has moved to precision chop silage to feed to ewes on slats. 

Finally, he discusses the scan results this year and his feeding plans this spring, plus the importance of getting the basics right now as he prepares for lambing. 

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

Sheep Specialists, Michael Gottstein and Damian Costello, join Ciarán Lynch on the latest OviCast podcast to discuss the sheep farming year and look ahead to what’s in store for 2023. 

Michael first looks back at 2022 and some of the challenges it posed discussing how some farms were better able to adapt to these challenges and what made their systems more resilient. 

Damian discusses some key tasks that need to be completed early in the New Year to set farms up for 2023. 

Both Michael and Damian finish up encouraging producers to seek out advice where needed to help their farm business during 2023. 

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

Dr. Frank Campion and postgraduate student, Mark Dolan, join Ciarán Lynch on the latest OviCast podcast with an update on the ongoing work examining finishing hill-bred lambs on a range of forage crops. 

Mark first gives the background to the project and what crops they are grazing, followed by an update on crop yield and utilisation this year and the reason for some of the differences observed. 

They also discuss lamb performance across the different crops and how they have been managed up to this point. 

The recent cold snap has posed challenges and Frank and Mark discuss managing the crops during this period and what lasting impact the severe frosts have had on the crops themselves. 

Finally, they highlight the suitability of this system to finish lighter lambs and what carcass weights have been achieved.

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

Teagasc Advisor, Serena Gibbons, is on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss farm safety this winter. 

Serena first discusses the recent data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) highlighting the number and location of accidents on farms. 

She highlights the extra challenges the recent cold snap poses and has some practical tips to deal with it as well as the need for some caution around routine tasks. 

With a lot of work conducted in the evenings in farm yards, Serena details the importance of good yard lighting and why some jobs are better suited to daylight hours. 

Serena also talks about the need for added safety around machinery during the winter period both for the operator and other individuals on the farm, with Serena highlighting some safety aspects in relation to road use that are particularly important at this stage of the year. 

Finally, Serena explains the importance of having your mobile phone on you and making others aware of where you will be while working alone should anything go wrong. 

For more information and useful links please visit: 

https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/farm-health--safety/

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

Michael Gottstein, Teagasc's Head of Sheep, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss the new Sheep Improvement Scheme launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 

Michael starts by outlining the timeframe for the scheme and the payments available.  He discusses how to apply for the scheme and the options for new entrants. 

He explains how the reference number is calculated for each flock and discusses the tasks involved for both lowland and hill farmers, detailing the new genotyped ram task and how this will operate. 

Finally, Michael reminds producers about the application process and to apply in time before the closing date.

For further information: 

https://www.gov.ie/en/service/98a53-sheep-improvement-scheme/

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