OviCast

Bord Bia sheep sector manager, Seamus McMenamin, joins us on this week’s OviCast with an update on the market conditions. We discuss the current trade and what’s driving prices, the trend in numbers this year and how this might impact the trade for the coming months. We also discuss the impact of bluetongue and southern hemisphere imports on trade on the European market.  For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Teagasc ruminant nutrition specialist, Aisling Claffey, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we discuss lamb finishing rations.  Aisling explains ration spec and highlights some of the key areas to look out for when choosing a finishing ration, highlighting why it’s important that it’s correctly formulated.  We move on to discuss feed management with Aisling offering her tips on trouble shooting potential issues to avoid a dip in performance.   For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Dr Fiona Lovatt from Flock Health joins us on this week’s OviCast to talk about the bluetongue situation in the UK.  Fiona gives us a description of the condition and explains the impact it has on livestock. We discuss the spread of it in Europe and the UK and the control measures put in place to limit its impact and how they work.  We also discuss the role of vaccination and how this differs from previous serotypes encountered.  More information on bluetongue can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s website at:https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cd6c0-bluetongue-virus/   For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Dr Fiona McAuliffe from the SRUC joins us on this OviCast episode as we discuss the challenge of blackloss and photosensitisation in Scottish hill flocks.  We discuss the extent of blackloss or the unexplained loss of lambs on extensive hill grazings. Fiona describes the various causes and some of the follow up work where she examined the underlying factors responsible for lamb losses.  We move on to discuss photosensitisation in more detail, its causes, predisposing factors and management options.  For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead. Niamh discusses current growth rates and grass covers, and managing supply for the weeks ahead. We discuss the autumn closing plan, graze outs and managing clover swards at closing.Finally, Niamh discusses upcoming deadlines for FYM and lime and Potassium applications. Link to the autumn closing planner: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/sheep/Sheep-Autumn-Closing-Planner.pdfYou 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

Sheep specialist, Damian Costello, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we discuss a new survey just launched that is examining labour on sheep farms.  Labour is widely acknowledged as a big challenge in the running of a sheep enterprise, particularly in an era where part-time, sheep farming is now the norm. Damian talks about the key areas the survey is examining and how this information will help inform future discussions. We finish up with Damian explaining how to complete it online and in paper formant The link to the survey is:https://bit.ly/47yLo23For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Seamus Fagan from the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Veterinary Lab in Athlone joins us for the latest OviCast episode as we discuss various health issues this autumn.  With many flocks completing the final check over ewes before going to the ram, Seamus highlights some of the teeth problems they have been seeing in the lab in recent years that are going under-diagnosed and how this is contributing to thinner ewes.  We focus in particular on molar teeth problems in ewes, how they present and the impact that it can have.  We also discuss other health issues seen this autumn - in particular clostridial challenges.  Finally Seamus emphasises the importance of monitoring ewe condition over the coming months and investigating causes of ill-thrift.  For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Bimeda Vet, Rachel Mallet, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we discuss sheep scab and treatment options.  Rachel first explains how sheep scab occurs, how it is spread and correct diagnosis. We then discuss the various treatment options for both conventional and organic flocks.  We finish up discussing plunge dipping with Rachel highlighting best practice when completing this task. For more information on mobile sheep dip operators go to:https://www.bimeda.ie/mobile-sheep-dippers For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Sheep specialists, Michael Gottstein and Damian Costello, are on this week’s OviCast as they discuss the focus on lamb finishing at the sheep section of the Teagasc stand at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.  Michael talks to us about some of the decisions that need to be made with regards to lamb finishing and purchasing stores this autumn.  Damian takes us through some of the technical areas they will focus on and they discuss the demo that will be there on the day.  We finish up with Michael encouraging those visiting to drop in and visit the team to discuss the options for finishing lambs and all other sheep related queries. Link to the store lamb calculator:https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/sheep/Store-lamb-finishing-calculator_2024.xlsx  For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update on the latest OviCast podcast discussing grass management tips for the month ahead. Niamh discusses current growth rates and grass covers and some of the variation across the country. We discuss building covers and planning ahead for closing up paddocks. Niamh also discusses the fertiliser register and upcoming deadlines for fertiliser slurry and FYM. We finish up with Niamh offering tips on grazing autumn reseeds.For more, you can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter at: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

For this week’s OviCast, we catch up with postgraduate student, Jake Delaney, to discuss some of the results of a survey he collected last year looking at ovine lameness in Ireland and assessment of farmer management.  Jakes gives us some background to the issues and his survey and we discuss the type and level of lameness reported and the increased levels of CODD.  Jake talks to us about correct identification and the impact that can have on control. We discuss management practices on farm to reduce lameness, prompt treatment, culling repeat offenders and quarantine.  We finish up with Jake summarising some of the key findings and other ongoing work in the area.   For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Dr. Frank Campion re-joins us as we discuss lamb performance post-weaning on the latest OviCast podcast. Frank talks about lamb performance on farms post-weaning and some of the factors that influence this.  We discuss lamb growth rates since weaning on the BETTER farms and how they have been managing lambs.  We move on to discuss lamb management, finish times, supplementation and where the priorities lie on farms for the coming weeks. For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Dr. Frank Campion joins us on this week’s OviCast as we discuss getting the ewe flock in the right condition for mating.  Frank discusses some of the tasks that need to be completed at the moment. We discuss the ewe condition on the better farms post weaning and some of the causes of low body condition at present and the management of replacement hoggets.   We move on to discuss nutritional requirements, grazing management and keeping sufficient replacements.  For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead.  Niamh discusses current growth rates and grass covers and some of the variation across the country.  We discuss building covers as we head into the autumn with Niamh offering advice on reducing demand and fertiliser application.  We finish up with Niamh offering tips on grazing management at present. For more, 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

We’re joined on this week’s OviCast by Dr Philip Creighton to discuss autumn redesign.  We start by discussing the impact of timing on reseeds. We discuss field prep, different reseeding methods and their suitability and fertiliser and lime applications.  Philip also explains variety selection and the inclusion of clover, plus we discuss post-sowing management, the grazing of new reseeds this autumn and the impact that can have on production next spring.  For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

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

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

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

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

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