OviCast

We catch up with organic sheep and tillage farmer, Joe Nolan, and Teagasc Organic Advisor, Marianne Mulhall.

Joe, who farms near Fenagh, Co. Carlow, outlines his farming system, including the sheep enterprise, tillage rotation and the background to the farm. 

He discusses the changes made to the flock in recent years, the organic conversion process and how sheep and tillage are integrated on the holding.

We also discuss lamb finishing, with Joe explaining the role of different grass and clover leys, forage crops and supplementation within the system.

Marianne outlines the current opportunities and challenges facing the organic sheep sector, highlighting the importance of strengthening linkages between organic livestock and tillage farms to improve feed sourcing and the opportunities for lamb finishing. 

She also discusses the series of upcoming organic farm walks, including one taking place on Joe's farm on Wednesday 12th August. 

To register for one of the events please click here:
https://teagasc.ie/rural-economy/organics/events/#lambfinishing

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Amanda McEvoy joins us to discuss the impact of recent weather conditions on worm burdens in sheep flocks. 

Amanda begins by explaining how lambs become infected and how weather influences the development and survival of parasites on pasture. 

We discuss how the recent dry spell has affected worm burdens and why changing weather conditions, particularly increased moisture, can quickly alter the risk on farms. 

Amanda also highlights the importance of monitoring worm burdens closely at this stage of the season, especially following this summer's weather patterns.

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

In this episode of OviCast, Dr Frank Campion discusses the role of forage crops within an integrated livestock system and the value they can bring to sheep enterprises. 

Frank outlines the different forage crop options, their expected yields and the classes of stock they are best suited to.

He also discusses the impact of sowing date, the importance of estimating crop yield and key grazing management considerations. 

Finally, Frank explains the levels of lamb performance that can be achieved and highlights how forage crops can improve flock profitability by generating additional income during the winter months.

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

Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello, joins Catherine Egan, host of the Beef Edge podcast, to chat with Roscommon farmer and Future Beef Programme participant, Olivia Hynes, ahead of the upcoming open day on her farm.

Olivia discusses her mixed suckler and sheep enterprise, explaining how paddock grazing has improved grass utilisation and overall farm performance. She also outlines her use of AI within the suckler herd and why it is well suited to her system. 

The conversation also explores the sheep enterprise, how she manages the spring workload across both enterprises, and the key changes she has implemented on the farm in recent year.

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

Grass10 Advisor, Nikki Kennedy, joins us for an update on grass growth across the country.

Nikki discusses how the recent dry spell has affected grass growth, highlighting the varying impact on farms in different regions. 

She offers practical advice for farmers where grass supplies are becoming restricted and outlines the key management decisions to consider in the weeks ahead.

We also discuss grazing management for the remainder of the summer, the importance of assessing silage stocks, and the potential role of autumn reseeding in improving grass production on some farms.

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

Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Michael Gottstein, joins us to discuss the key management tasks for the month ahead.

We start by looking at grassland management, including how to maintain sward quality through the remainder of the grazing season and the opportunities that autumn reseeding can offer.

Attention then turns to flock management, with Michael outlining best practice around weaning lambs, drying off ewes, and managing ewe body condition to ensure ewes are in the right condition ahead of the next breeding season

With lamb performance a key focus at this time of year, we also discuss mineral supplementation, including the role of cobalt, and when supplementation may be required. Finally, we examine lameness, why reducing its incidence should be a priority on sheep farms, and the practical measures that can help improve flock health and productivity.

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 us to discuss the preliminary results of the labour survey.

We explore some of the key findings from the latest analysis, including the age profile of farmers, levels of off-farm employment, and how farm tasks are managed throughout the year.

Damian discusses the facilities available on farms, the challenges created by farm fragmentation, and how these factors influence farm management and future development. 

We also look at the level of TAMS uptake, the barriers farmers face when accessing the scheme, and what improvements could encourage greater participation.

To finish, Damian shares his thoughts on future trends and what the outlook may be for farm numbers going forward.

View Damian’s presentation on the labour survey here:

https://teagasc.ie/wp-content/uploads/Damian-Costello.pdf

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

Teagasc's Amanda McEvoy, joins us as we preview the 2026 National Sheep Conference.

Amanda outlines the new format for this year's event and discusses the speakers and key topics that will feature in the indoor conference sessions. 

A first for the National Sheep Conference will be an on-farm evening programme, where attendees will have the opportunity to hear about ongoing sheep research studies being undertaken at Teagasc Athenry.

The evening will also include a series of practical workshops, giving participants an insight into the latest research and technologies being developed for the sheep sector.

For more information on the 2026 National Sheep Conference, visit:
https://teagasc.ie/news--events/news/teagasc-national-sheep-conference-2026/

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

For this week’s OviCast, grass management, weaning decisions, cull ewe selection and shearing are all discussed.

Damian Costello and Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch, break down the key messages from the June Sheep Advisory Newsletter, discussing how to maintain grass quality, prepare for weaning, assess ewes for culling and get the most from shearing day.

This is a practical episode full of seasonal advice for sheep farmers as lambs approach weaning and grass growth peaks.

Find out more:  

https://teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/teagasc-sheep-advisory-newsletter-june/

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 as we discuss lamb performance on the BETTER farms this spring. 

We discuss lamb mortality levels and how they compare with previous years, while also examining strong lamb growth rates seen on farms so far this season. 

Frank outlines some of the key factors driving performance and finishes with practical advice for the weeks ahead to help maintain progress.

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