OviCast

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, visi...

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 reduci...

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 m...

Lambing is in full swing on many farms across the country and for this episode of OviCast, Damian Costello steps in to host and is joined by Ciaran Lynch to discuss the key messages from the March sheep newsletter.  They cover spring grazing targets, fertiliser planning, lamb survival and colostrum management, treating hypothermic lambs, flock biosecurity, culling problem ewes, identifying replace...

With current weather conditions creating significant challenges on farms, this episode focuses on practical management strategies to support flock performance.   We’re joined by Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, to discuss key actions farmers can take during difficult weather.    The conversation covers a range of important topics including maintaining hygiene standar...

Eleanor Brady, Ruminant Veterinary Manager with MSD Animal Health, joins us to discuss the critical role of clostridial vaccination in sheep flocks ahead of lambing. Eleanor outlines the impact of clostridial disease and the significant losses it can cause if not properly controlled.  We explore the optimal timing of vaccination in ewes before lambing, how to maximise passive transfer of immunity...

Grass10 advisor, Nikki Kennedy, joins us to discuss key grassland management priorities for the weeks ahead.    We look at current challenging ground conditions, opening farm covers, and the importance of soil sampling and making full use of your nutrient management plan.    Nikki also shares practical advice on planning spring fertiliser purchases, along with key tips for applying fertiliser and...

Damian Costello joins us to discuss key sheep management priorities for February as farms gear up for lambing.    We cover grassland management and planning for early nitrogen applications when conditions allow, along with the importance of getting ewe nutrition right in late pregnancy, including practical feeding tips.    We also discuss flock health, with a focus on lameness with advice on prepa...

Darren Carty, Sheep and Schemes Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal, joins this week’s 300th episode of OviCast for a wide-ranging conversation as we look at where the sheep industry stands today. We cover ewe numbers, lamb throughput, price trends, export markets and policy changes shaping farm decisions.  We also touch on farmer demographics and highlight areas of resilience and opportunity an...

Teagasc Advisor, Edward Egan, joins us on this week's OviCast to explain about how to make the most of scanning results.   Edward shares insights from over a decade of working with farmer discussion groups to help them use their scanning data more effectively to monitor flock performance.    He discusses both the short-term actions that can improve outcomes immediately, and the long-term managemen...

For the final OviCast of the year, we're reposting one of the most popular shows from 2025 with Jonathan Higgins, who with his father Philip, runs a mid-season lambing sheep flock, alongside a contract heifer-rearing system in Skreen, Co. Sligo.   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 th...

For this special joint podcast on bluetongue with Catherine Egan from the Beef Edge and Stuart Childs from the Dairy Edge, we’re joined by vet John Donlon to get an insight into bluetongue.   Primarily transmitted via biting midges, the cases on farms in Northern Ireland significantly reinforces the need for awareness on farms in the Republic of Ireland.    Early action, identification and isolati...

Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello, joins us to discuss practical approaches to reducing labour demands during the winter housing and lambing period.   Damian outlines key husbandry practices that can help minimise interventions with ewes later in the season, highlighting how early planning can pay dividends when workload is at its peak.    We also explore the importance of shed layout, pen design...

Grass10 Advisor, Nikki Kennedy, joins us to explore key grazing management tips for the weeks ahead.   Nikki discusses end-of-season grazing management, including closing targets and best practices for managing forage crops.    As the grazing season draws to a close, we look at reviewing field grazing performance on your own farm and identify areas for improvement.    We also consider some key inv...

For this joint episode with the Beef Edge, we’re discussing one of the biggest regulatory changes affecting beef and sheep farms this year.   From 1st December, new rules on veterinary medicines came into effect as part of Ireland’s national strategy to tackle antimicrobial and anti-parasitic resistance.    These changes mean that a range of commonly used products will now require a veterinary pre...

Sheep Specialist, Michael Gottstein, joins us this week to discuss the essential elements of successfully finishing lambs indoors.   Michael covers everything from housing and management basics to nutrition and animal health, highlighting the practical steps farmers can take to avoid costly setbacks.    The episode wraps up with guidance on the importance of regular drafting to maintain performanc...

Grass10 Advisor, Nikki Kennedy, is on this week’s OviCast to discuss key grazing management tips for the weeks ahead. Nikki shares the latest on grass growth rates and covers across the country, and offers practical advice for managing grazing in challenging conditions.  Plus she outlines the importance of a structured closing plan.    She also discusses how closing decisions now can influence gra...

Teagasc advisor, Tom Coll, is on this week’s OviCast with some practical management tips as the breeding season draws to a close.   Tom highlights the importance of ram management at this stage — from identifying repeats to dealing with injured or lame rams.    We also chat about why it’s a good idea to group ewes in the latter half of the breeding period and the benefits of having a spare ram ava...

Teagasc advisor, James Doran, discusses the practicalities of grazing forage crops on this week's OviCast.   James and Ciaran cover key topics such as estimating yield, calculating carrying capacity, and setting up grazing systems—including fencing, crop allocation, and utilisation.    James also shares advice on introducing animals to forage crops and outlines important management considerations...

Teagasc Researcher, Sarah Woodmartin, gives us the monthly update on grassland management.  In this episode, Sarah covers: -       Current grass growth rates and average farm covers -       Autumn closing plan and its importance -       Achieving good cleanouts on swards -       Tweaking the closing plan for new grass/clover and multispecies leys   Whether you’re measuring grass weekly or just kee...

David Coen from Sheep Ireland joins this week’s OviCast to discuss the genetic progress being made in hill flocks across the country.   David outlines the ongoing efforts of various breeding groups nationwide and highlights the significant increase in the number of animals being recorded over recent years.   We also delve into the OviFlock project and explore the positive impact genotyping it’s ha...

Dr. Tim Keady joins us on this week’s OviCast to explore the key considerations around mating ewe lambs.   We dive into the pros and cons of including ewe lambs in your breeding programme and Tim shares insights on how they can perform within a sheep enterprise.    We also discuss critical factors such as target joining weights, timing and duration of the mating period, and the strategic use of th...

Teagasc Farm Management specialist, James McDonnell, and Succession Ireland mediator, Clare O’Keeffe, join Ciaran Lynch and Catherine Egan on this week’s joint episode of the Ovicast and the Beef Edge podcast to discuss all aspects of generation renewal, succession and mediation.   James highlights the importance of generation renewal while Clare outlines the importance of a mediator to aid the pr...

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 ey...

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 outlin...