OviCast

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Latest Episodes:

Recap - SIS Genotyped Ram Task Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

We’re joined on this week’s episode of OviCast by Jaynell Anderson, Programme Manager with Sheep Ireland, to discuss the SIS Genotype ram task.

With ram sales underway, Jaynell gives us a recap on what the requirements of the SIS ram task are for hill and lowland flocks and how to identify eligible SIS approved rams in sales catalogues and using the ram search tool.

We also discuss some of the frequently asked questions about the task and we finish up discussing ram supply and the upcoming multibreed sale in August and the new hill ram sale later this Autumn.

For the ram search go to:

https://appsh.sheep.ie/ram-search

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

Grass update & management tips for the coming weeks Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

Catherine Egan, host of the Beef Edge podcast, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we catch up with Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, to get an update on the current situation and discuss management tips in the coming weeks.

Niamh first highlights the factors that have limited grass growth over the last number of months.

She also comments on the long term Nitrogen fertiliser type trial at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, which provides an insight as to how different fertiliser types/formulations have performed under the same conditions and with N applied at the same time and at the same rate.

Niamh discusses ways to reduce demand by scanning early to remove empty cows and cull ewes and the introducing of creep to lambs and weanlings.

Coming into August, it is important to focus on building grass covers and Niamh explains the ways farmers can achieve this, as well as discussing fertiliser plans and the need to target slurry to replenish offtakes and completing fodder budget.

Niamh then finishes up discussing her key tips for management in the coming weeks.

Further information is available at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/

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

Monitoring parasite burden and interpreting the results Jul 14, 2024

Show notes

This week we talk to Dr Orla Keane about monitoring the parasite challenge in lambs.

We discuss the challenge stomach worms poses from this point of the season onward with Orla talking about using faecal sampling to monitor worm burden, explaining the process, what’s being tested and what the results mean.

Orla also discusses the thresholds for dosing and the factors that influence the rise in worm counts.

We move on to discuss drench testing to determine dose efficacy and we finish up highlighting best practice around faecal sampling and why it should be used on farms.

For more information go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/flock-health/anthelmintic-resistance/

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

Grazing Focus: Grass supply, sward quality and fertiliser Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

On this week’s OviCast we’re taking a grazing focus and are joined by Philip Creighton.

We discuss grass supply and sward quality and some of the factors that are influencing it at the moment.

We move on to discuss management options for the coming weeks and finish up the episode discussing fertiliser applications.

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

Time to wean? Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

Sheep Specialist, Michael Gottstein, joins us on this week’s OviCast to discuss weaning options on farms.

We discuss the current situation on farms, challenges with grass quality and why weaning now is beneficial.

Michael explains the weaning process with some useful tips and management of the ewes and lambs post-weaning.

We finish up discussing some of the areas we need to address at the moment from parasite burden to mineral supplementation to tackling lameness.

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

Focus on wool quality and shearing Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

Jayne Harkness-Bones, Depot Manager with Ulster Wool, joins us for this week’s OviCast to discuss the factors that influence the quality of wool, the challenges in the marketplace in recent years and what happens to the wool from purchase until it reaches market.

We talk about shearing, wool handling and storage, with Jayne highlighting some simple practices to make the process easier and improve the quality of the wool harvested.

In the latter half of the podcast, Jayne who is also a council member of the Irish Grown Wool Council, discusses some of the work they have been involved in to realise the potential of wool, develop further opportunities and provide support to the industry.

For more information on some of the items discussed see the following links:

https://irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/

Preparing for Shearing: https://youtu.be/QiyvrF9g-dc

Top tips on how to harvest wool at shearing time: https://youtu.be/qO8HJdMsmME

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

How the lamb trade is shaping up for the summer Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

Seamus McMenamin, sheep sector manager with Bord Bia, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we look at the lamb trade.

Seamus discusses factory throughput this year to date; we discuss what’s been happening with international trade; falling ewe numbers in the UK and Europe and the impact that this could have on lamb trade this summer.

We finish up discussing trends in demand and attracting younger consumers.

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

Time to think about blowfly control May 28, 2024

Show notes

With blowfly strike a risk on farms, for this week’s OviCast we’re joined by sheep specialist Damian Costello to discuss the risk factors, how it occurs and treatment options available to farmers.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/sheep/put-a-plan-in-place-to-deal-with-blowfly-strike.php

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

Farmer Focus: Olivia Hynes’ mixed grazing system in Roscommon May 21, 2024

Show notes

For this week’s OviCast, we’re also joined by Catherine Egan, host of the Beef Edge podcast, as we catch up with Co. Roscommon beef and sheep farmer, Olivia Hynes.

Oliva starts by giving us an overview of her system, we discuss breeding and the use of AI in her suckler herd, lamb performance this spring and some of the challenges it has posed.

We discuss mixed grazing, grassland management and investing in grazing infrastructure, before finishing up with Olivia highlighting the three things she has focused on that have had an impact in her farming system.

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

Flukicide residues – observing withdrawal dates and correct usage May 14, 2024

Show notes

For this week’s OviCast, we’re joined by Terry McElvaney, Veterinary Inspector with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to discuss some issues that have occurred with flukicide residues in lamb carcasses.

We discuss the problems encountered and the follow up investigations with Terry explaining some of the issues caused and issues they have encountered.

We also discuss the key areas to focus on when using anthelminthic and antibiotics to avoid these type of issues occurring.

Details of licensed veterinary products can be found on the HPRA veterinary medicines webpage:

https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/veterinary/veterinary-medicines-information

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