OviCast

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Latest Episodes:

Quarantine, Parasites & Vaccines – reducing the risks when bringing in new sheep Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Every time an animal enters or re-enters a flock it poses the risk of bringing unwanted health challenges with it.

With sales in full swing, on this week’s OviCast we talk to Sheep Specialist, Michael Gottstein, about how to reduce the risks.

What to look for before you buy:

· Quarantine and parasite control plans

· Reducing the risk of lameness in new arrivals

· Using vaccination to protect your flock

This episode is a timely reminder for anyone planning to buy stock this season.

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

Making genetic gains - using data this ram sale season Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

With the ram sale season in full swing, we’re joined by David Coen from Sheep Ireland to discuss how genetic information can help farmers make more informed breeding decisions.

David explains the Eurostar Terminal and Replacement Indexes, outlining what they mean and how to interpret them when selecting rams. We also explore how to check if a ram is SIS-eligible, and how to make the most of the RamSearch tool.

We discuss the progress being made in performance recording among hill flocks and David gives us a preview of Sheep Ireland’s upcoming multi-breed sale in Kilkenny later this month.

The episode closes with a look at why consistency in your breeding plan matters.

For more information go to:

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

Farmer Focus: Shane Moore, BETTER Farm participant, Roscommon Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Shane Moore, a BETTER Farm participant based in Co. Roscommon, joins this week’s OviCast.

Shane runs a mixed sheep and beef enterprise and he shares insights into how the season has progressed so far, including the challenges of joint ill at lambing time and the rebound in lamb performance and drafting.

We also discuss:

- how Shane selects replacements and identifies problem ewes for culling

- post-weaning lamb management, finishing groups and improving ewe condition

- his approach to grazing and grassland management this season

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

Sowing Catch Crops in Tillage Systems Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Catch crops are becoming an essential part of sustainable tillage farming offering environmental protection, improving soil structure, and providing valuable grazing options for livestock.

For this week’s OviCast, Teagasc tillage specialist, Shay Phelan, joins us to discuss how and why catch crops are used, the impact of sowing date and the practicalities of sowing them effectively.

Plus, Shay takes us through the various regulations that need to be adhered to and what farmers should keep in mind when planning rotations.

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

July Grass Update Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

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

Whether you're actively measuring grass or just looking to stay ahead this season, Sarah shares practical, timely tips to help you make the most of your grazing this season.

In this episode, Sarah covers:

· Current grass growth rates and average farm covers

· Key grazing targets and maintaining sward quality

· Fertiliser recommendations and the importance of replenish offtakes

· Tips for managing newly reseeded paddocks and multispecies swards

You can 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

Multispecies swards add the finishing touch on Sligo farm Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Jonathan Higgins, who with his father Philip, runs a mid-season lambing sheep flock, alongside a contract heifer-rearing system in Skreen, Co. Sligo, joins us on this week’s OviCast. The duo are also hosts of this year’s Irish Grassland Association Sheep Farm Walk.

Jonathan talks to us about their contract rearing system and we delve into the performance and management of the ewe flock in detail. We also explore the challenges of farming on a fragmented unit with varying land types.

Plus we spend time discussing the role of mixed-species swards on the farm, with Jonathan sharing his experience of managing them over the past few seasons.

For more details about the farm walk go to:

https://www.irishgrassland.ie/event-detail/sheep-event-2025/

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

Sheep 2025 Preview Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Sheep 2025 – the largest dedicated sheep-focused open day on the island of Ireland – takes place on Saturday, 21st June, from 10am to 5pm at the Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway.

For this week’s OviCast, Teagasc’s Michael Gottstein and Margaret O’Donovan preview this free event for us.

Michael acknowledges the vital contributions of industry partners and sponsors who help make the event possible and he also walks us through the extensive range of technical information that will be available on the day. Michael highlights the breed competitions and shares some of the other key attractions attendees can look forward to.

Margaret provides insights into the trade stands that will be present and discusses additional features of the day – from butchery and cookery demonstrations to sheep shearing and dog training demos.

Tune in for a full preview of what’s on offer at Sheep 2025 – a must-attend event for anyone involved in or interested in sheep farming.

For more info:

https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/sheep-2025.php

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

Wool, shearing and improving the market prospects Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

With the shearing season in full swing, on this week’s OviCast, we're joined by Pat Coffey, merchant, wool exporter, and member of the Irish Grown Wool Council.

Pat brings four generations of experience to the wool industry and gives us a valuable insight into the current state of the wool market, explaining some of the key factors influencing it today.

We discuss best practices in shearing and how they impact wool quality, including the importance of the Shear Success guide recently distributed to farmers as part of the 2024 census.

Pat also walks us through the journey that wool takes from the farm to market, explaining how it’s often blended with fibres from other countries to meet customer specifications.

We wrap up with a look at ongoing work in the sector, including a new initiative piloted last year that delivered higher returns for farmers.

Shear success guide:

https://irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/shear-success-guide-for-sheep-farmers-2/

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

Preventing blowfly strike Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Brian McConnell, Technical Consultant for Elanco in Ireland, joins us on this week’s OviCast to discuss blowfly strike prevention for the upcoming season.

Brian outlines the duration and severity of the seasonal risk period before delving into how blowfly strike occurs, the life cycle, and why early intervention is critical for effective control.

Brian also walks us through the range of available treatment options and emphasises how proper application techniques can significantly influence the effectiveness of each product.

In relation to the products mentioned:

- CLiK™ EXTRA 65 mg/ml Pour-On Suspension for sheep contains dicyclanil and is indicated for the prevention of blowfly strike on sheep caused by Lucilia sericata or Wohlfahrtia magnifica.

- CLiK™ Pour-On for sheep contains 5% (w/v) dicyclanil and is indicated for the prevention of blowfly strike due to Lucilia sericata or Wohlfahrtia magnifica on sheep

- CLiKZiN™ Pour-On Suspension for Sheep contains the active ingredient dicyclanil and is indicated for the prevention of blowfly strike on sheep due to Lucilia sericata.

Legal category for all: POM in IE. Information regarding the side effects, precautions, warnings and contra-indications can be found in product packaging and leaflets; further information can also be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics.

*Spreads to areas covered by fleece, other areas may not be protected, including the feet. CLiK EXTRA, CLiK, CLiKZiN, Vector, FleeceBind, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Use medicines responsibly (IE) Advice should be sought from the prescriber prior to use.

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

Using GPS technology to learn more about hill sheep grazing May 27, 2025

Show notes

Teagasc Walsh Scholar, Michael Dever, and Teagasc researcher, Dr. Frank Campion, join us on this week’s OviCast to discuss an exciting new project, recently launched in collaboration with SRUC. The project aims to use GPS technology to better understand hill sheep grazing patterns.

Frank provides background on the project, while Michael outlines how they will assess animal performance across different groups of sheep that are released onto the hill at various stages. He also explains how the team will evaluate the botanical composition of the different grazing areas.

Michael goes on to describe how GPS collars fitted to the ewes will allow the researchers to track their movements and identify specific grazing zones on the hill.

We wrap up the episode with Frank sharing insights into the future direction of the project and the next steps in their research.

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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