OviCast

Teagasc Researcher, Philip Creighton, gives us the monthly update on grassland management.

For this episode, Philip covers:

-       Current grass growth rates and average farm covers

-       Building covers and planning the grazing rotation

-       Grazing autumn reseeds

-       Fertiliser register, slurry and farmyard manure deadlines 

Whether you’re measuring grass weekly or just keeping an eye on conditions, Philip shares timely, practical advice to help you get the best from your grazing this autumn.

You can also sign up 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

Dr. Frank Campion joins us to talk about managing ewe body condition in the crucial lead-up to mating. 

We explore why body condition scoring (BCS) is such a key driver of flock productivity for the year ahead, and how current ewe condition on better farm flocks compares to last autumn.

Frank also highlights the management changes that have made a difference on farms this season, and he outlines the practical steps farmers should focus on in the final weeks before ram turnout.

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

One of the key factors influencing lamb performance at this stage of the season is managing and effectively treating the worm burden. For this OviCast episode, Sheep Specialist Damian Costello joins us to discuss this in detail.

Damian explains why it’s important to monitor worm challenge regularly and how to interpret the results. He also highlights the key areas to focus on to ensure treatments are effective.

We then look at why now is an ideal time to carry out a drench test on farms, helping to determine how well the products being used are actually working.

How to conduct a drench test: 

https://youtu.be/1TXV1kpMhs8?si=olWviv4hcCHMjNky

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

Teagasc Researcher Philip Creighton gives us the monthly update on grassland management on this week’s OviCast.

 In this episode, Philip covers:
 · Current grass growth rates and average farm covers
 · Assessing demand and starting to build covers
 · Fertiliser recommendations and timing of application
 · Tips for managing autumn reseeds

Whether you’re measuring grass weekly or just keeping an eye on conditions, Philip shares timely, practical advice to help you get the best from your grazing this autumn.

You can also sign up 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 

Every time an animal enters or re-enters a flock it poses the risk of bringing unwanted health challenges with it.

With sales in full swing, on this week’s OviCast we talk to Sheep Specialist, Michael Gottstein, about how to reduce the risks. 

What to look for before you buy:

·      Quarantine and parasite control plans

·      Reducing the risk of lameness in new arrivals

·      Using vaccination to protect your flock

This episode is a timely reminder for anyone planning to buy stock this season.

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

With the ram sale season in full swing, we’re joined by David Coen from Sheep Ireland to discuss how genetic information can help farmers make more informed breeding decisions.

David explains the Eurostar Terminal and Replacement Indexes, outlining what they mean and how to interpret them when selecting rams. We also explore how to check if a ram is SIS-eligible, and how to make the most of the RamSearch tool.

We discuss the progress being made in performance recording among hill flocks and David gives us a preview of Sheep Ireland’s upcoming multi-breed sale in Kilkenny later this month.

The episode closes with a look at why consistency in your breeding plan matters.

For more information go to: 

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

Shane Moore, a BETTER Farm participant based in Co. Roscommon, joins this week’s OviCast.

Shane runs a mixed sheep and beef enterprise and he shares insights into how the season has progressed so far, including the challenges of joint ill at lambing time and the rebound in lamb performance and drafting.

We also discuss:

-       how Shane selects replacements and identifies problem ewes for culling

-       post-weaning lamb management, finishing groups and improving ewe condition 

-       his approach to grazing and grassland management this season

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

Catch crops are becoming an essential part of sustainable tillage farming offering environmental protection, improving soil structure, and providing valuable grazing options for livestock.

For this week’s OviCast, Teagasc tillage specialist, Shay Phelan, joins us to discuss how and why catch crops are used, the impact of sowing date and the practicalities of sowing them effectively.

Plus, Shay takes us through the various regulations that need to be adhered to and what farmers should keep in mind when planning rotations.

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

Teagasc Researcher, Sarah Woodmartin, gives us the monthly update on grassland management.

Whether you're actively measuring grass or just looking to stay ahead this season, Sarah shares practical, timely tips to help you make the most of your grazing this season.

 In this episode, Sarah covers:

·       Current grass growth rates and average farm covers

·       Key grazing targets and maintaining sward quality

·       Fertiliser recommendations and the importance of replenish offtakes

·       Tips for managing newly reseeded paddocks and multispecies swards

 
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

Jonathan Higgins, who with his father Philip, runs a mid-season lambing sheep flock, alongside a contract heifer-rearing system in Skreen, Co. Sligo, joins us on this week’s OviCast. The duo are also hosts of this year’s Irish Grassland Association Sheep Farm Walk.

Jonathan talks to us about their contract rearing system and we delve into the performance and management of the ewe flock in detail. We also explore the challenges of farming on a fragmented unit with varying land types.

Plus we spend time discussing the role of mixed-species swards on the farm, with Jonathan sharing his experience of managing them over the past few seasons. 

For more details about the farm walk go to:

https://www.irishgrassland.ie/event-detail/sheep-event-2025/

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