OviCast

Grass10 advisor, Nikki Kennedy, joins us to take a look at grazing management priorities for the weeks ahead. 

Nikki discusses current grass growth rates, grazing targets and managing farm covers, along with the options around taking out surplus paddocks for silage. 

We also cover fodder budgeting and fertiliser and slurry applications as farmers plan ahead for the season.

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 as we run through the key management priorities for sheep farmers in May.

We cover practical advice on grassland management, maintaining lamb performance, and planning ahead for first-cut silage. 

There’s also a timely reminder of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) deadline and what’s required to maximise payments.

On the flock health side, we focus on seasonal risks including Nematodirus, scald, and blowfly strike, with clear guidance on prevention and treatment.

For more information:

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

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

Jake Delaney, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, joins us this week to discuss scald in lambs and why it’s such a common challenge at this stage of the season. 

Jake explains what causes scald, how it affects animal performance and welfare, and why it should never be ignored.

We also explore how scald can act as a gateway for more severe conditions such as footrot and CODD, making early detection and treatment essential. 

The episode covers practical treatment options and outlines best-practice approaches for managing and preventing foot issues in your flock this season.

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

In a joint episode with Catherine Egan from the Beef Edge, we’re joined by Chris Maughan from TP Whelehan to explore practical weed control strategies.

Chris outlines a wide range of control options for common problem weeds, including docks, thistles, and ragwort.

We also discuss clover-safe sprays and how to plan weed control programmes when establishing or maintaining clover and multispecies swards. The conversation covers key technical considerations such as sprayer setup, nozzle selection, and how water quality can influence spray performance.

The episode wraps up with best practice advice on managing water quality and the safe disposal of chemical containers.

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 Department of Agriculture’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Backweston joins us to discuss this year’s Nematodirus forecast.

James explains what Nematodirus is, how it impacts young lambs, and the key symptoms to watch out for. We discuss this year’s forecast and what it means for farms across the country this spring.

He also outlines treatment strategies and emphasises the importance of planning ahead to manage the challenge effectively. 

We finish by discussing the potential risk of concurrent infections, particularly Coccidia, and the role of follow-up diagnostics where issues arise.

Link to this year’s forecast: 

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/nematodirus-forecast-2026/

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 this week’s OviCast to outline the key priorities for the month ahead.

We discuss the challenges around fertiliser use and rising costs, why replacing fertiliser with concentrates can be a false economy, and how simple management changes like grouping ewes and subdividing paddocks can boost grass growth. 

We also cover key flock health risks, including parasites, lameness and grass tetany, before finishing up with practical tips on preparing for high-quality silage.

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

Dr. Orla Keane joins us to discuss coccidiosis in lambs, a common but often underestimated issue affecting flock performance. 

We cover what causes coccidiosis, its impact on lamb health and growth, and the key symptoms farmers should watch for.

With the challenging spring weather conditions, we also look at why the risk of infection may be higher this year and what that means for on-farm management.

We finish with a practical discussion on treatment and prevention, including how different coccidiostats, their active ingredients, and dosing strategies work to control the disease.

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

We catch up with Grass10 advisor, Nikki Kennedy, to discuss grassland management for March. 

Nikki shares an update on grass covers across the country, outlines key grazing targets for the first rotation, and highlights the importance of grouping ewes effectively. 

We finish discussing fertiliser and lime application strategies for the spring.

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

With lambing season well underway, we catch up with Dr. Nóirín McHugh to discuss how to identify and select the best ewe lambs as future replacements, and what genetics we are introducing into the flock.

Nóirín explains how genetics influences a wide range of production and behavioural traits — from litter size and lambing ease to mothering ability and lamb vigour — as well as their role in reducing undesirable issues such as prolapse and lameness.

We also explore how observations made during lambing can be used to make more informed replacement decisions, helping to drive long-term flock performance. 

Finally, Nóirín outlines what to watch for as the season progresses, ensuring that selection decisions made now continue to deliver benefits throughout the year

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

The Teagasc Sheep Sector Roadmap 2030 outlines a strategic plan for Ireland's 34,000+ sheep farmers to enhance sustainability, productivity, and profitability.  

This week we’re joined by Dr Philip Creighton, Sheep Enterprise Leader, and Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, to discuss this in more detail. 

We look at the current profile and performance of the sector, key economic metrics, and the targets set out for the industry to 2030. 

Michael and Philip also outline the economic, social and environmental challenges facing sheep farming, and the role research, knowledge transfer and on-farm innovation will play in helping the sector progress towards the roadmap’s target

For more, go to: 

https://teagasc.ie/wp-content/uploads/uploads/media/website/publications/2026/Sheep-Road-Map-2030.pdf

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