OviCast

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

Dr. James O’Shaughnessy from the Dept. of Agriculture Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Backweston joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast for a broad discussion on the risk fluke poses this winter. 

James describes the impact it has on animal health from acute to chronic infection and discusses the forecasted fluke risk for this winter and how that can vary across the country and amongst farms with James explaining detection, sources of information and the importance of farm history. 

Treatment options and the importance of choosing an appropriate flukicide for this point of the season are highlighted before finishing up discussing rumen fluke with James explaining the risk it can pose.  

For further information:
https://animalhealthireland.ie/resources/?resource_type[]=documents&resource-tag[]=faecal-sampling

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

Dr Tim Keady is on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss some key aspects of finishing lambs in the latter half of the season. 

Tim gives some context on the numbers finished in the latter half of the season and the levels of performance achieved at grass in late autumn along with the impact of concentrate supplementation. 

He also discusses indoor finishing systems and some of the key considerations from expected finish date to facilities available. 

With high concentrate prices, producers will be looking at some alternatives diets and Tim explains the impact of forage inclusion in the finishing diet by comparison to ad-lib concentrate finishing systems in terms of growth rate, carcass gain and kill-out %. 

He explains the margin over feed in these systems and the impact increased carcass or concentrate prices has on profit. 

Finally, Tim discuss the impact of shearing at housing and other management practices has on the productivity of these indoor finishing systems. 

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

David Coen from Sheep Ireland joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast to explain genotyping rams. 

David outlines the benefits of genotyping rams and the kind of information it can provide from scrapie genotypes to parentage verification to genomic evaluations.  David and Ciarán also discuss the processes and costs involved for producers. 

David then explains the ram genotype task in the Proposed DAFM Sheep Improvement Scheme highlighting the criteria for both lowland and hill flocks. 

Finally, in relation to hill flocks, David discusses how genotyping could lay the foundation for breed improvement programmes within hill breeds. 

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

Teagasc advisor, David Argue, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss some important aspects of ram lamb management as the breeding season draws to a close. 

Management during the first season can have an impact on ram longevity, David begins by emphasising the importance of having rams acclimatised prior to turnout. 

He discusses management of ram lambs during the breeding season and in particular the duration of the joining period. 

David also highlights the importance of meeting their nutritional needs during the post mating period to allow them to regain condition and he offers his tips on minimising the risk of rams fighting when grouped up or removed from the ewes. 

Finally, David explains some of the key health areas that need to be addressed as the season draws to a close.  

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

Sean Godfrey from Sheep Ireland is on this week’s OviCast podcast with an update on what’s happening in the Central Progeny Test (CPT) farms.  

Sean first explains the role of the CPT flocks and the other sources of commercial data that goes into the evaluations. 

He discusses the number of ewes and rams involved, plus the mating strategy on the farms from the use of cervical AI to mob mating and the role of genotyping to identify parentage. 

With a lot of traits being measured on the farm Sean takes us through some of the key measurements and why they’re an invaluable source of maternal data. 

Finally, Sean discusses performance recording, highlighting the benefits of signing up for LambPlus for pedigree and commercial breeders alike. 

Find our more information on Sheep Ireland’s website: https://www.sheep.ie/

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

As part of Sustainability Week, Teagasc advisor Tom Coll joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss the 12 steps from the Teagasc Signpost team to reduce gaseous emissions on sheep farms. 

Tom starts by highlighting how some of these steps will require a change of mindset, others are common practice on sheep farms which will not only have environmental benefits but will also result in better welfare and profitability on farms.  

Tom breaks down the 12 steps into 3 key sections: land, livestock and inputs. He explains each of these individually detailing how the changes required might be implemented, what’s involved and the benefits it has for the environment and the farmer. 

Finally, Tom encourages farmers to consider what steps they are already implementing and what additional areas they could focus on for the coming seasons. 

For more information on the 12 Steps:
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/environment/climate-change/signpost-programme/12-Steps-to-Reduce-Gaseous-Emissions-on-Sheep-Farms.pdf

And to find out about the Signpost programme go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/signpost-programme/

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

Teagasc sheep specialist, Damian Costello, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast with key tips around ram management during the mating period. 

Firstly, Damian emphasises the need to make sure the ram is physically sound and any aliments are addressed prior to turnout and how this could impact ram fertility.  

Damian talks about the use of raddle and the need to observe mating activity and in particular repeats during the mating period. 

He discusses dealing with injured rams and why it’s a good idea to check rams during the mating period, plus Damian explains why group mating with three or more rams reduces the risk of using an infertile ram and the advantages of mopping up ewes after the first cycle. 

Finally, Damian advises not to over-use ram lambs or over-rely on older rams with ailments as the mating season progresses.  

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

Dr Philip Creighton is on this week’s OviCast to discuss some key aspects of grazing management this autumn. 

Philip first talks about current grazing conditions and supply on farms as well as some of the challenges this autumn. 

He then discusses the closing plan and how this may need to be modified on farms where supplies are tight. 

Philip explains how clover or multi species swards may have to be managed slightly differently at closing to get the best out of these swards. 

Finally, Philip encourages farmers to review fertiliser and management strategies this year and assess what worked well or needs changing for the coming season. 

Autumn closing planner: 

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/sheep/Sheep-Autumn-Closing-Planner.pdf

Podcast Survey

In order to understand the aspects of podcasts which are most appealing and beneficial to you the listener, it would be appreciated if you could take 3-4 minutes to complete the following survey to give your feedback:  

https://forms.office.com/r/mDZTE9zPy4

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

Shane Moore, BETTER Farm Participant who is farming just outside Athleague in county Roscommon, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast to talk about lamb performance and drafting. 

With the breeding season around the corner, he discusses breeding ewe lambs and how this year’s cohort are shaping up. 

Shane also discusses grassland management, overall production this year and how he has made some changes to his management from using protected urea to using a dribble bar for slurry to establishing clover based swards in response to increased input costs. 

Shane then explains the autumn grazing plan on the farm and finishes up highlighting the upcoming open day on the 6th of October at 6:30pm.

Details of the farm walk can be found here: 

https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/gfoty-shanemoore.php

Podcast Survey

In order to understand the aspects of podcasts which are most appealing and beneficial to you the listener, it would be appreciated if you could take 3-4 minutes to complete the following survey to give your feedback:  

https://forms.office.com/r/mDZTE9zPy4

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