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Latest Episodes:

Grassland Focus: Priorities for April Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

The focus for this week’s episode of the OviCast podcast switches to grassland with Ciarán Lynch joined by Dr Philip Creighton to discuss the key priorities for April. Philip starts by discussing the current grazing situation before then moving on to discuss the key management tasks from grouping up to temporary fencing with Philip explaining the impact this has on grass growth and animal performance. He offers some advice on fertiliser application during April and the impact that this has on the system. He then discusses planning next year’s winter fodder on farms emphasising the need to focus not only on quantity but quality silage. Finally, Philip highlights the upcoming round of spring grass walks that will be held nationwide. For more on food and fodder security go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/food-and-fodder-security/ For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Supplementing triplet rearing and yearling ewes post-lambing Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

Dr Tim Keady joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast to discuss the management of triplet rearing and yearling ewes post-lambing. Tim starts by highlighting the need to have a system to deal with multiples in prolific flock outlining the various options that are available. He takes us thorough the economics of rearing the third lamb on a ewe and discusses the energy requirements post-lambing with Tim outlining the supplementation strategy to make up the shortfall. Plus he outlines the role of condition score and suitability of ewes to manage in this system. Similarly Tim talks about his work with yearling or one year old ewes and how they need separate management, highlighting their nutritional requirements and the potential supplementation strategies to ensure they stay on track. For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Managing artificial reared lambs – transitioning off milk Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

With many farms in the middle of lambing, this week’s OviCast focuses on artificial reared lambs with Michael Gottstein Head of Sheep in Teagasc. Michael starts off by highlighting the need to have a system in place to deal with orphan or pet lambs on farms. He outlines the various systems available and the importance of getting them set up on the feeder system early. As this can be a costly system mainly due to the milk replacer input, we discuss the importance of grouping up lambs in weekly batch sizes to facilitate their transition to cold milk and introduction of concentrate and roughage, with Michael outlining a number of practical tips to help prepare them for weaning. Finally, Michael outlines the target inputs for the system and the costs involved. For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Tackling Joint Ill Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Vet Tommy Heffernan, aka Tommy the Vet, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast to discuss joint ill infection in lambs. Tommy starts by explaining the condition in a bit more detail and then discusses the bacteria that can cause the condition and their potential sources. Tommy describes the presentation of the condition, routes of transfer and how that infection affects the joint. He also highlights how doubling down on the basics of hygiene and colostrum management have a big impact on reducing risk of the condition. For treatment, Tommy offers his insights on effective treatment methods before finishing up with him urging farmers to revisit the basics and look at making the overall system easier to operate during lambing. For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Dealing with Orf Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

Vet Cara Sheridan, ruminant technical advisor with MSD Animal Health, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast to discuss various aspects of dealing with orf on farms. Cara starts by explaining a bit more about the condition, where it typically occurs and some of the predisposing factors. She discusses the vaccination process detailing the timing of administration and interval until immunity is reached. Cara then takes us through the actual vaccination procedure highlighting some practical tips and pitfalls before finally, discussing treatment options in the face of an outbreak. For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Investigating flock health problems Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

As we head into peak lambing season we also start to encounter flock health issues on farms and on this week’s OviCast is Dr Shane Mc McGettrick of the Department of Agriculture Regional Veterinary Lab (RVL) in Sligo to discuss this issue in more detail. Shane starts by encouraging farmers to submit samples where they encounter problems with abortions or increased mortality this spring and to identify the cause and start to address the issue. Shane describes the common issues they see in the lab at this stage of the season and takes us through the submission procedure for samples and what is required as well as discussing the timeline from submission of samples until results are available. As some of the conditions that cause issues on farms are zoonotic, particularly in the case of a number of the abortive agents, Shane highlights why we need to take extra care to protect human health. He also discusses why aborted ewes should be isolated form the main flocks early to minimise spread and finally, he urges caution when considering purchasing foster ewes and introducing them to the flock during this busy period. For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Hill sheep conference preview Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

Sheep Specialist, Damian Costello, joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast with a preview of the Teagasc Hill Sheep Conference that is taking place on Thursday, 24th February in the Clayton hotel in Sligo at 7pm. This marks the return of the conference to an in-person event but as Damian explains, there is also an option to join online via Zoom with registration - details are on the Teagasc webpage. Damian profiles the speakers and the topics that will be covered on the night and how they have a broad appeal to many in the industry, and not only those directly involved in the hill sector. Finally, Damian explains how attendees, both in-person and online. will have the option to ask questions of the speakers on the night. For more details please visit: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/hillsheepcon22.php For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Colostrum Part 2: Impact on the lamb Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

This week’s OviCast is the second part of the discussion on colostrum with Professor Tommy Boland and he discusses how colostrum impacts the lamb. Tommy starts by explaining the various roles colostrum has once it is consumed by the newborn lamb and how each of these affects lamb survival and performance. He highlights the importance of ensuring the lamb consumes sufficient quantities of colostrum quickly after birth and how this affects the transfer of immunity from the ewe to the lamb. Tommy discusses the colostrum alternatives that are available and what role they play, and why caution is needed when using them. Finally, Tommy offers his insights on how colostrum intake not only influences lamb survival and passive immunity,, but also plays a role in the early development of the rumen and impacts on subsequent lamb performance. For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Colostrum Part 1: what influences ewe production Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

Ensuring lambs receive adequate colostrum is vital to get them off to the best possible start and making sure ewes have adequate supplies is the starting point for this. In a 2-part special, Professor Tommy Boland joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast to discuss this important topic in more detail. Firstly, Tommy focuses on the factors that influence colostrum production in the ewe and he explains the various functions of colostrum. Tommy discusses how production starts and the quantity a ewe needs to produce with Tommy explaining the various nutritional factors that have an impact on the quantity and quality of colostrum a ewe produces. He also explains the effects that ewe body condition, age and breed have on colostrum production and details some of reasons for poor milk let down in ewes post-lambing. Finally, Tommy discusses why the importance of getting management right not only ensures adequate colostrum production, but also sets the ewe up for early lactation. For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Planning ahead with a fertiliser budget Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

Following on from last week’s OviCast, Michael Gottstein joins Ciarán Lynch on the latest episode to discuss planning a fertiliser budget for your farm this year. Michael starts by discussing the challenge that increased fertiliser prices pose on farms and why it’s important to take action now. He explains why it’s important to look at your overall fertiliser spend on farm now and take into account what merchant credit and alternative credit is available to avoid the situation of unforeseen debt later in the year. Michael outlines a practical example of a fertiliser budget that he completed for a farmer this spring. He details how the farmer will incur an increase in spend but, through product substitution and a slight reduction in application rate, it will still allow the farmer to spread 80% of the nitrogen he used last year with the budget available. Michael discusses the option for some farms to reduce stocking rate by selling unproductive stock and why it’s a year to focus on the basics of grassland management and correcting soil pH. Finally, Michael encourages farmers to complete a fertiliser budget and seek assistance from advisors in completing this task where necessary. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2022/virtual-sheep-conference-2022.php For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

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