OviCast

e also describes ways to reduce the risk of soil contamination, improve preservation and the importance of correct storage. The overall silage requirement for use in late pregnancy is relatively low Damian discusses how removing surpluses from the grazing rotation could help meet his demand.  Here is a link to a short technical article discussing this in more detail: https://www.teagasc.ie/publica...

With additional pressure on family farm incomes this year Kevin urges a cautious approach, paying particular attention to expenditure in the farm business for the coming year.  Keeping with that theme in the latter half of the podcast we are joined by Michael Gottstein Head of Sheep in Teagasc who highlights key areas where costs can be reduced and where the easy gains can be made. With uncertaint...

Nematodirus is one of the first parasite challenges young lambs will face during the grazing season. In this episode of OviCast we are joined by Dr. Orla Keane who explains the life cycle of Nematodirus and how it differs from other stomach worms. We also discuss how the parasite affects young lambs. Orla describes how to recognise the condition and the role the DAFM Nematodirus forecast plays in...

For this episode we are Joined by Declan Fennell, sheep Sector Manager with Bord Bia. Declan starts by discussing what has been happening in the market in the past 12 months , some of the challenges faced and the new opportunities that have arisen. With the current Covid-19 crisis Declan describes is happening on the markets over the last month or so , how its influencing demand for lamb domestica...

Dr Philip Creighton re-joins us in this episode to discuss grazing management and key targets during April. He starts by giving us a quick update on progress on the farm in Athenry. With grass growth rates increasing in favour of supply over demand Philip outline’s the key targets for the coming month – opening covers, residuals and farm covers/days grazing ahead. Philip emphasises the importance...

In this episode we are joined by Tomas O'Leary who is farming outside Killarney Co. Kerry. Tomas runs a 300 ewe sheep flock along side a contract heifer rearing system. Running a prolific flock of ewes with an annual scanned litter size of 2.2 Tomas has a lot of multipiles on the farm. In order to effectively manage the additional lambs, he choses to artifically rear the third lamb along with any...

In this episode Michael Gottstein Head of Sheep in Teagasc joins us to discusss coccidiosis in lambs. Michael starts by discribing the condition itself and the clinical symptoms infected lambs will display. He moves on to describe the impact it has on lamb health, subsequent performance and ways by which farmers can reduce the enviromental challenge . In the final segment Michael outlines the vari...

In this episode we are joined By Michael Gottstein Head of Sheep in Teagasc who discusses the Grass Tetany in ewes. With many ewes in the early stages of lactation the difficult grazing conditions and adverse weather this spring presents a high risk period for Grass Tetany. Michael discusses the predisposing factors encountered on farms that increase the risk and some of the preventive measures th...

In this episode we focus on the management of ewe lambs during the growing phase from the first winter to Joining as 18 month old Hogget’s. We are joined by Dr. Tim Keady who has conducted a number of research studies in this area. Tim outlines how management during the growing phase can influence subsequent performance as mature ewes. We discuss the key performance targets, nutrient requirements...

Episode 12: Nitrogen use efficiency In this episode we a focus on nitrogen use on farms. We are joined by Dr. David Wall Teagasc Johnstown Castle who starts by discussing the various factors affecting the efficiency of Nitrogen use. David offers his tips on how to get the best return on early spring applications. With an increased emphasis on the inclusion of protected urea in fertilizer programme...

Episode 11: Late pregnancy nutrition effect of concentrate quality and source of protein In this episode we focus on late pregnancy nutrition, we are joined by Dr. Tim Keady who shares some of his insights in the area. Tim starts by discussing the impact late pregnancy nutrition has on flock performance. We move on to discuss concentrate formulation, ingredient inclusion and how the ewe’s nutrient...

In this episode we are joined with Damien Costello Sheep Specialist who discussed some of the key management issues to consider during the housing period. Damian outlines why correct space allowance is a key consideration during the housing period. Damian also covers the importance of good ventilation, feed management and hygiene practices. We finish up discussing ways to improve the efficiency of...

In this episode, we are joined by Liz Genever, an independent sheep consultant from the UK (Twitter - @LizGenever) to discuss the importance of managing condition score in flocks. We start by discussing the practice of condition scoring and the key time points during the year when it is important to assess it. Liz discusses some of the key findings of the AHDB’s funded key performance indicators p...

Within the industry there is a renewed interest in sheep dips as a means of external parasite control. Firstly we are joined by Michael Gottstein Head of Sheep in Teagasc who discusses the role sheep dips both fixed and mobile units can play in external parasite control. He also offers his views on why they may be the better option in the coming years particularly for sheep scab control. Michael a...

In this episode we are joined by Dr Frank Campion who discusses a new research trial that has started in Teagasc Athenry. The project aims to examine the role of alternative forages in store lambs finishing systems. Frank starts by giving us some background to the project and previous work on store lambs in Teagasc Athenry. We discuss crop selection and establishment and some of the targets he hop...

Grazing focus – Gearing up for the autumn In this episode we are joined by Dr Philip Creighton to discuss setting up the grazing rotation for the autumn. We start by discuss current grass supply and demand targets for September and October. Phil discusses the importance that autumn closing has on spring grass availability and why it is necessary to set up for the final grazing rotation now. He als...

In this episode we are joined by Michael Gottstein Head of Sheep in Teagasc to discuss biosecurity risks posed when introducing new sheep to the flock. Michael outlines the potential risks that can be introduced to a flock from purchased animals, from resistant parasite and lameness to abortive agents and iceberg diseases. Having a quarantine procedure in place to deal with stock entering the farm...

Ram Focus - using genetic information. In this episode we are joined by Dr Noirin McHugh from Teagasc and Kevin McDermott programme manager with Sheep Ireland. Since the introduction of the Eurostar index in sheep we now have an additional tool to use when selecting rams. Noirin talks us through the terminal and replacement index and the key criteria to pay attention. We also get the opportunity t...

Internal parasite control – In this episode we catch up with Dr Orla Keane to discuss the topic of worm control during the mid-season period. We start by identifying the parasites that are encountered during the summer and autumn months and how parasite burden effects lamb performance. Controlling parasite burden has been predominantly reliant on anthelminthic treatment. However as an industry dom...

In this episode we catch up with Dr Tim Keady to discuss the production of high feed value grass silage. We start by discussing silage feed value and its impact on animal performance and the benefits that can be gained from improving silage digestibility. We discuss many of the factors that can influence digestibility – including sward heading date, grazing management prior to closing, the negativ...