OviCast

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Latest Episodes:

Management tips as breeding season enters the final phase Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Teagasc advisor, Tom Coll, is on this week’s OviCast with some practical management tips as the breeding season draws to a close.

Tom highlights the importance of ram management at this stage — from identifying repeats to dealing with injured or lame rams.

We also chat about why it’s a good idea to group ewes in the latter half of the breeding period and the benefits of having a spare ram available.

The discussion then turns to managing ram lambs, reducing the risk of fighting post-mating, and best practices for ram care once the breeding season ends.

We finish up by talking about the importance of monitoring and managing ewe condition in the lead-up to housing.

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

Practical Tips for Grazing Forage Crops Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Teagasc advisor, James Doran, discusses the practicalities of grazing forage crops on this week's OviCast.

James and Ciaran cover key topics such as estimating yield, calculating carrying capacity, and setting up grazing systems—including fencing, crop allocation, and utilisation.

James also shares advice on introducing animals to forage crops and outlines important management considerations for ewes and lambs grazing for extended periods.

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

October Grass Update Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Teagasc Researcher, Sarah Woodmartin, gives us the monthly update on grassland management.

In this episode, Sarah covers:

- Current grass growth rates and average farm covers

- Autumn closing plan and its importance

- Achieving good cleanouts on swards

- Tweaking the closing plan for new grass/clover and multispecies leys

Whether you’re measuring grass weekly or just keeping an eye on conditions, Sarah shares timely, practical advice to help you get the best from your grazing this autumn.

You can also sign up 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

Genetic progress in the hills Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

David Coen from Sheep Ireland joins this week’s OviCast to discuss the genetic progress being made in hill flocks across the country.

David outlines the ongoing efforts of various breeding groups nationwide and highlights the significant increase in the number of animals being recorded over recent years.

We also delve into the OviFlock project and explore the positive impact genotyping it’s having on the sector.

With the sales season now in full swing, David gives an overview of the upcoming sales and explains how farmers can check whether a hill ram meets the SIS (Sheep Ireland Scheme) requirements.

Finally, we discuss the upcoming Sheep Ireland Multibreed Hill Ram Sale, and David emphasises how continued progress in the hill sector can deliver long-term benefits for the national flock.

For more info: https://www.sheep.ie/

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

What to consider if mating ewe lambs Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Tim Keady joins us on this week’s OviCast to explore the key considerations around mating ewe lambs.

We dive into the pros and cons of including ewe lambs in your breeding programme and Tim shares insights on how they can perform within a sheep enterprise.

We also discuss critical factors such as target joining weights, timing and duration of the mating period, and the strategic use of the ram effect.

The conversation wraps up with a look at the importance of good nutritional management — both during mating and leading up to lambing — to optimise outcomes.

If you're weighing up whether to mate ewe lambs this season, this episode is packed with timely and practical advice.

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

The essentials for successful farm succession Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Teagasc Farm Management specialist, James McDonnell, and Succession Ireland mediator, Clare O’Keeffe, join Ciaran Lynch and Catherine Egan on this week’s joint episode of the Ovicast and the Beef Edge podcast to discuss all aspects of generation renewal, succession and mediation.

James highlights the importance of generation renewal while Clare outlines the importance of a mediator to aid the process. It is essential for every farmer to have a farm succession plan in place. There are complex legal and taxation rules that, if planned for, can be managed easily. If not planned for, however, there could be a major impact on the viability of the farm business.

Teagasc run Transferring the Family Farm clinics every year. These clinics are designed to help farm families through the process and all aspects that need to be considered when transferring the family farm.

In 2025, clinics will take place at six venues throughout the country. Further details at:

https://teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/succession-inheritance/transferring-the-family-farm/

If you missed the Generation Renewal Webinar , you can watch it back here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcKGV0E2InM

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

September Grass Update Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Teagasc Researcher, Philip Creighton, gives us the monthly update on grassland management.

For this episode, Philip covers:

- Current grass growth rates and average farm covers

- Building covers and planning the grazing rotation

- Grazing autumn reseeds

- Fertiliser register, slurry and farmyard manure deadlines

Whether you’re measuring grass weekly or just keeping an eye on conditions, Philip shares timely, practical advice to help you get the best from your grazing this autumn.

You can also sign up 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

Getting a handle on ewe condition this autumn Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Frank Campion joins us to talk about managing ewe body condition in the crucial lead-up to mating.

We explore why body condition scoring (BCS) is such a key driver of flock productivity for the year ahead, and how current ewe condition on better farm flocks compares to last autumn.

Frank also highlights the management changes that have made a difference on farms this season, and he outlines the practical steps farmers should focus on in the final weeks before ram turnout.

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

Monitoring Worm Burden & Assessing Drench Effectiveness Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

One of the key factors influencing lamb performance at this stage of the season is managing and effectively treating the worm burden. For this OviCast episode, Sheep Specialist Damian Costello joins us to discuss this in detail.

Damian explains why it’s important to monitor worm challenge regularly and how to interpret the results. He also highlights the key areas to focus on to ensure treatments are effective.

We then look at why now is an ideal time to carry out a drench test on farms, helping to determine how well the products being used are actually working.

How to conduct a drench test:

https://youtu.be/1TXV1kpMhs8?si=olWviv4hcCHMjNky

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

August Grass Update Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Teagasc Researcher Philip Creighton gives us the monthly update on grassland management on this week’s OviCast.

In this episode, Philip covers:
· Current grass growth rates and average farm covers
· Assessing demand and starting to build covers
· Fertiliser recommendations and timing of application
· Tips for managing autumn reseeds

Whether you’re measuring grass weekly or just keeping an eye on conditions, Philip shares timely, practical advice to help you get the best from your grazing this autumn.

You can also sign up 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