OviCast

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Latest Episodes:

How do foster lambs perform relative to their counterparts? Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

At a point in the season where we’re looking at how lambs perform and where the tail end lambs come from, on this week’s OviCast podcast, we chat to Dr Frank Campion about how foster lambs perform in commercial flocks.

Frank discusses some work he has recently presented on the topic, we discuss how these lambs grow in early and late lactation, the variation among them and their counterparts and some of the reasons why some lag behind and others aren’t successfully reared drop off.

We finish up discussing how ewe management this autumn can impact this next spring.

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

Planning ahead for the autumn Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

Sheep enterprise leader, Dr Philip Creighton, is on this week’s OviCast to discuss planning ahead for this autumn.

We discuss the impact poor grazing conditions has had on lamb performance this year and the knock-on effect this has on management for the autumn. Philip emphasises the importance of accessing grass supply and increased demand on farms.

We discuss grass growth rates, fertiliser applications and building covers as we move into the autumn.

We finish up with Philip discussing the need to put plans in place for finishing lambs and ensuring there is sufficient grass covers heading into September.

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

Market challenges Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Bord Bia Sheep Sector manager, Seamus McMenamin, joins us on the latest OviCast podcast to give a market update.

Seamus discusses current throughput and some of the challenges with light carcass at present.

He also discusses the international trade, in particular the increased volumes of Australian lambs and what impact that has had on our export market.

Seamus has an update on plant approval to get lamb exported onto the US market, and with store lamb sales ramping up, we move on to discuss the potential impact of an earlier Easter and Ramadan on the hogget trade next spring.

Finally, we discuss domestic promotional activity to target a younger audience to improve domestic consumption.

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

Designing a sheep handling unit Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

Teagasc Advisor, Edward Egan, joins us on the latest OviCast episode to discuss designing a sheep handling unit.

Having good handling facilities can reduce labour, improves both safety and welfare for handler and sheep alike and also encourages timely preventative actions.

Edward talks about the booklet he produced, ‘A Guide to Designing a Sheep Handling Unit’ and he discusses the key aspects of design from considering the sheep’s behaviour, location and size, to some of the key features that can be incorporated into a handling unit.

You can read the booklet here:
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2020/A-Guide-to-Designing-a-Sheep-Handling-Unit.pdf

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

TAMS III Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme: Sheep Handling Equipment Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

We’re joined on the latest OviCast episode by Teagasc Advisor, Edward Egan, to talk to us about the sheep handling equipment available under the TAMS III Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme.

We discuss what the grant aid rates are and how these are calculated; Edward outlines what fixed and mobile equipment covered under the scheme; and he takes us through the application process highlighting some of the key dates and information required at submission and explains how to check if the application has been approved.

Finally we finish up discussing how applicants make their claim for payment and what information is required to complete the process.

To find out more:

https://www.gov.ie/en/service/4f3ae-farm-safety-capital-investment-scheme/

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

Lamb performance – playing catch up in the second half of the season Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

Dr Frank Campion joins us on this episode of OviCast with an update on lamb performance and management on the BETTER farms.

Frank starts off describing the bounce back in lamb growth rate on the farms in May and June. We tease this out discussing grassland management, parasite challenge and the impact of early weaning.

We move on to discuss the current state of play on the farms with regards to weaning weight, drafting the implications of carrying increased numbers for some into the second half of the season.

In the latter part of this episode we talk about some management aspects over the coming weeks, finishing groups, grassland, fertiliser, forage crops and parasite control.

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

Sheep Improvement Scheme Genotyped Ram Task Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

Kevin Mc Dermott, Sheep Ireland manager, joins us on this week’s OviCast to talk about the genotyped ram task that forms part of the Sheep Improvement Scheme.

Kevin first explains what’s involved in the task for lowland and hill producers. He talks about ram eligibility and how to identify these rams using the Sheep Ireland ram search tool or the sales catalogues.

Finally, he discusses the numbers of eligible rams that are available via the Sheep Ireland ram search at:

ramsearch.ie

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

Keeping a check on the worm burden Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Sheep specialist, Damian Costello, is on this week’s OviCast to talk about managing the parasite challenge over the coming weeks.

Damian explains what the burden is and he and Ciarán discuss the current challenge, monitoring worm burden and deciding when to dose.

Damian explains the importance of knowing how effective your wormer is, how to conduct a drench test and interpret the results.

Finally, he highlights some of the resource material available to help explain some of the issues raised in more detail.

For more info:

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

The Sheep System in Gurteen Agricultural College Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

This week’s OviCast catches up with Ger Carey from Gurteen College in this week’s episode to give us a run down on the 450 strong sheep system they operate in Gurteen.

Ger brings us through the early and mid-season production systems, how this has changed to accommodate students and future plans on the flocks.

We discuss breeding, wintering on forage crops and managing ewe condition.

We talk about lamb performance this year, drafting and the importance of hitting carcass spec for their system.

The college has made some significant investments in housing and handling facilities on the farm over the past number of years, we discuss how this has improved management and productivity in the flock.

Finally, Ger discusses the skills that students acquire during their time at the college, including the shearing course they run annually.

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

Can we reduce ewe wastage and improve their longevity in a flock? Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

Why are ewes leaving the flock and can we reduce the level of ewe wastage? On this week’s OviCast podcast, we discuss this topic in more detail with Prof. Paul Keynon from New Zealand’s Massey University.

Paul discusses the reasons ewes are culled and lost out of the system and explains the impact this can have on flock output, lamb performance and costs in the system.

Paul also talks to us about variation in ewe replacement rates in flocks in New Zealand and some of the reasons for these differences among farms.

Finally, he discusses how we can alter management on farms to improve ewe longevity in a flock and improve overall productivity.

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