While many day-to-day tasks on sheep farms rely on tried and trusted methods, the advancement and availability of new technologies provide huge potential for the Irish sheep industry. For example, there are software packages available that can store, analyse and produce concise reports. Data capturing is becoming increasingly accessible, with a wider range of handheld readers on the market, while some systems are now compatible with mobile phones.

Analysing data that has been recorded allows farmers to make flock decisions based on measured variables rather than relying solely on visual selection and farmer preferences. The latest software packages can be linked up with handling facilities, with data such as weight gain feedback to show performance reports on the animal itself and its dam and sire.

Co Down-based TGM software has brought a number of new products and services to the market. Director George Megarry’s first piece of advice for anyone interested in introducing recording data to their flock is to think about why they are using it and what they want to get from it.

This will influence decisions, with the most simplistic software recording tag numbers from stock movements, while the most advanced systems offer complete farm package software.

He says the Kingswood Sheep programme, developed by TGM software solutions, has become more common on Irish sheep farms in recent years on flocks ranging in size from 30 ewes to more than 3,400. Recording systems are also compatible with Sheep Ireland and Signet systems and work with or without EID readers.

The company is offering interested flock owners a 30-day free trial, available at www.tgmsoftware.com.

Software prices depend on the number of breeding ewes, with examples of €300 for a 100-ewe flock, €600 for 100- to 500-ewe flocks and €900 for a 500- to 1,500-ewe flock.

The company has also launched the software package in an app (Android only), which gives an opportunity to record data on your phone. A free trial can be downloaded from the website.

Genomics

A new sheep genomics research project called OVIGEN, coordinated by Sheep Ireland, Teagasc and UCD, is looking at the possibility of identifying the most profitable sheep at a much younger age using genomics tags on thousands of pedigree lambs this year. If this project is successful, it may become routine for pedigree breeders to have their potential breeding stock genomically tested in order to ensure they are producing the most profitable sheep for the end user.

Cormac Tagging distribute the Caisley Tissue sampling tags which the company report are the first of their kind incorporating the Irish Department of Agriculture Identification (NSIS) tag for sheep. They say the tissue tag eliminates any risk of contamination resulting in an incorrect test result. The tag also claims a 99% retention rate.

The company says the tag is currently being used for taking sheep tissue samples by Sheep Ireland CPT (Central Progeny Test), the Ovigen Project and various other Teagasc research projects nationwide. The cost of the tissue tag is €3.50 plus VAT when large quantities are purchased.

Further information on the product is available at www.cormac.ie.

New sheep bolus

UK-based company Agrimin Ltd has launched a new bolus, Agrimin 24.7 Smartrace Lamb. The bolus is targeted at delivering a sustained release of nutrients over a 120-day period. They say the bolus will address shortfalls in trace element supply resulting from poor pasture and adverse conditions, with the company reporting the greatest popularity in lambs grazing brassica crops (which inhibit absorption of iodine).

The company advises administering the bolus only to lambs with a fully functional rumen, which is usually when they are above 25kg live weight. It says each bolus will deliver 0.8mg/day of cobalt and iodine and 0.2mg/day of selenium for 120 days. Classes of animals targeted are growing lambs, store lambs, finishing fat lambs and replacement breeding stock. A bolus costs €1.00/lamb and further information can be found by emailing info@agrimin.co.uk or by visiting www.agrimin.co.uk.