Roundwood cheviot farm

From knowing nothing about sheep farming to starting out with a few pet lambs and now entering their 10th year as a pedigree Suffolk breeder! In this episode of Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we travel to Derry, where we get a fascinating insight into the world of pedigree Suffolk sheep breeding. We hear about the journey from those early days with pet lambs to building a pedigree flock, the lessons lear...

On today's Roundwood Cheviot Farm podcast, we're discussing some important decisions facing sheep farmers. What should you do with sheep you're not keeping for breeding? Is the mart or factory the better option, and what should farmers consider before making that decision? We're also looking at the star rating system. Does it actually help farmers make better breeding decisions...

This week at Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we’re talking tipping ewe lambs and we want to hear what other sheep farmers think. We look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of tipping ewe lambs, and put the question out to you, do you tip ewe lambs or leave them until the following year? If you do tip them, what type of ram do you prefer to use and why? Let us know your own experience in the comme...

Buying replacements is a big part of building and developing a flock, but there’s more than one way to go about it. In this podcast from Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we have a fresh and honest conversation from the next generation of sheep farmers about buying replacement sheep and the decisions that come with it. From ewe lambs and hoggets to proven breeding sheep and older ewes, we talk through the d...

Getting the ewes ready for tipping isn't just about putting the ram out...the preparation beforehand can make all the difference. This week on Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we're looking at some of the essential dos and don'ts as mating season approaches, including mineral dosing, getting the ewes into the right condition and planning ahead before the ram goes in. We also look at the othe...

In this episode from Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we’re joined by Eamon, a Financial Advisor , to talk about one of the biggest conversations for any farming family…,planning financially for the future of the farm. We discuss inheritance, succession planning and the financial decisions that can help protect both the farm and the family , including why it’s important to start these conversations early r...

In this episode, we visit Robert Langrell on his Wicklow hill farm to learn about his unique farming system. Robert explains how he manages sheep and cattle together, why he’s developing an easy-care flock, and how balancing farming with an off-farm job has shaped the way he runs his business. As the years go by, his focus is on working smarter, making life easier, and continuing to enjoy farming....

In this episode of the Roundwood Cheviot Farm Podcast , we’re taking a closer look at one of the most popular terminal sire breeds in commercial sheep farming… the Beltex . We discuss why we’ve introduced Beltex genetics into our flock, the qualities we’re aiming to improve, and how these sheep can make a real difference when producing high-quality factory lambs. In this episode we cover:  • Why B...

In the very first episode of our new series, The Step Into the Unknown , we’re joined by an inspiring Aberdeen Angus breeder whose journey proves that taking a chance can lead to incredible opportunities. From discovering her passion for Aberdeen Angus cattle, to studying in England, building an AI (Artificial Insemination) business and becoming deeply involved in one of the world’s most respected...

In this episode of Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we make the journey to Galway to discover that traditional farming is still very much alive and well in modern Ireland. Join us as we visit a unique farm where horses continue to play an important role in everyday farming life. We learn how horses are still being used to plough fields and top grass, blending generations of farming knowledge with modern ag...

In this week's update from Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we're taking a look at how the solar panel system is performing after six months in operation and whether it has lived up to expectations. We also discuss mixed grazing and ask the question many farmers are now debating – is mixed grazing becoming a thing of the past on many farms, or does it still have a place in modern sheep farming? P...

In this episode of the Roundwood Cheviot Farm Podcast, we sit down with Josh from Tír na nÓg Farm for an in-depth conversation around modern sheep farming, EasyCare sheep, performance breeding, practical farming systems, and the future direction of sheep farming in Ireland. The discussion covers the realities of breeding for efficiency, maternal traits, grass-based systems, hardiness, labour-savin...

Life on a sheep farm is never straightforward… we get into the real side of farm life, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From the bond people build with pet lambs during lambing season, to the difficult realities farmers also face, this conversation gives an honest look into what life is really like behind the scenes on the farm. We also touch on boxing, rugby injuries, recovery, and...

In this episode on Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we sit down and talk through the real pros and cons of running a truck compared to a jeep and trailer setup. It’s something we’ve been weighing up for a long time on the farm, especially with the type of work we’re doing day-to-day. From practicality and running costs to ease of use and reliability, we go through where each setup makes sense and where it...

In this episode of Roundwood Cheviot Farm, Michael discuss the rise of social media in farming and ask the big question… Has farming content become too focused on clicks, views, and likes? With more young people learning about agriculture online than ever before, we look at: Is farming content still educational, or mostly entertainment now? Are influencers and creators showing the real side of far...

Lambing season is one of the most intense and demanding times on the farm… and survival is the only goal some days. In this episode from Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we talk through the reality of getting through lambing, what works, what doesn’t, and the “secret sauce” that helps keep everything moving when things get tough. From long nights and early mornings to the systems, mindset, and small habits...

In this important episode of the Roundwood Cheviot Farm Podcast, we discuss a topic that is becoming a serious concern for farmers across Ireland...the decline in large animal veterinary services in rural areas. For generations, local vets were a vital part of farming communities, supporting livestock health, assisting with difficult births, and ensuring animal welfare standards were maintained. H...

In this episode from Roundwood Cheviot Farm, we’re keeping hill farming positive and practical. We chat through takeaways from a recent hill farming conference, the importance of dip collection and flock health, and how we’re finishing lambs this season. There’s also a pre-lambing check-in from the yard, what we’re doing now to get ready, plus meal-feeding updates and a simple new technique we’ve...

This week on the Roundwood Cheviot Farm podcast, we’re catching up on all things farm life as winter ticks on. We chat about forestry and land use around the farm, the realities of managing ground and planning for the long term, and how it all ties into the bigger picture for sheep farming and sustainability. It’s also a very real week here with a few winter colds doing the rounds, so we’re sharin...

 In this episode, Michael and Evaine talk about settle back into routine after the holidays and what happened over Christmas period.  They chat about how things have been feeling on farms lately and the pressure many farmers have faced. From lambing and stock checks to general day-to-day farm talk, it’s an honest conversation about what’s really going on in the farm. Whether you’re out feeding, be...

Thanks for tuning in throughout 2025. In this episode, we’re chatting through scanning results and how mindset plays a big part in moving forward positively. We also break down the pros and cons of lambing in December and share a few laughs along the way — including an update on Chicken Nuggets. A relaxed start-of-year conversation from the yard. Support the show Follow Michael's & Roundw...

In this podcast, I took a trip to Mayo to learn more about Belclare sheep and explore how they can have a positive impact on a farm enterprise. We discuss the good, the challenges, and where Belclares can fit into a practical sheep farming system. This is an honest conversation based on real farming experience, looking at performance, management, and whether Belclare sheep are the right choice for...

In this episode, Michael sits down with Cathal O’Brien in Carnew to talk honestly about life in sheep farming. From the early mornings and long days to the setbacks, pressures, and the moments that make it all worthwhile, Cathal shares his real-life experience of working with sheep and what the job truly involves. There’s no glossing over the challenges — just a straightforward conversation about...

In this  episode, Michael had a good chat today about the joys of winter prep with sheep — everything from getting prescriptions for doses from the vet, to the “blue thing” situation up North in Northern Ireland, and of course lambing season creeping closer. I’ve also put up a quick poll about winter feeding for sheep, so jump in and let me know what you’re doing this year — keeping it simple, mix...

Short, punchy, natural — farming audience friendly. In this episode, I’m on the road to visit Samantha Ginty, a respected Dorset breeder and the woman behind the hard-working team that runs the Sheep Tunnel at the National Ploughing Championships. We chat all things Dorset sheep — breeding, lambing, flock management, choosing the right stock — and what really goes into running one of the busiest a...