TAMS sheep fencing: Inspections are ongoing for fencing erected under the TAMS sheep fencing grant. An area that inspectors are focusing on is the specification of strainer posts.
Posts used must be a minimum diameter of 175mm and each post must also possess a stamp or cert to prove it has been produced to the standards required. Where certs/stamps did not come with posts, talk to your supplier.
Raddling rams: While for most the raddling of rams is a straightforward exercise, there are some questions raised at discussion group meetings each year, with the most interest from producers new to sheep farming.
Where using a harness, it is important to ensure that the harness is applied correctly and will not cause discomfort or impede breeding. If using a new harness, it is advisable to check it after a number of days as there is often some give in a new harness and it may need to be refastened. In terms of mixing powder for applying, the easiest way to prolong its persistency is to mix with some grease/oil.
Remember to take precautions to minimise the risk of ram subfertility/infertility by changing the raddle colour at least every two weeks, by running rams in groups, or changing rams where practising single-sire mating. If running a mixture of mature and ram lambs, it is best, where possible, to run a mature ram along with a ram lamb.
Concentrate selection: Sales of concentrates are slowly rising as more farmers introduce supplementation to lambs grazing average- to poor-quality grass to reduce finishing periods. There is no need for expensive formulations. Concentrates with high protein content are not required – a ration with 11% to 12% crude protein is more than adequate where lambs are grazing.
High levels of performance can be achieved with low cost, high-energy, cereal-based rations. Many farmers supplement with barley or oats and report no problems once fed at low levels. If increasing feeding rates over 0.5kg, it is safer to feed a balanced ration or nut, or to include a safer energy and fibre source, such as soya hulls. Unfortunately, merchants do not automatically state inclusion rates, with the only indication being ingredients listed in descending order of inclusion.
Target feeds with high energy cereals (barley, maize, wheat) and pulps (soya hulls, beet pulp) at the higher end of the scale and avoid feeds where ingredients such as palm kernel or sunflower are near the top of the ingredients lists.
Housing preparations: The longer housing is power-hosed and disinfected, the lower the risk will be of bacteria or viruses remaining in the environment. The slurry spreading closing period is fast approaching, with only a little under a week left to the last day for spreading of 14 October. The last day for applying farmyard manure is 31 October, with the closed period beginning on 1 November.
Where applying organic fertilisers, target fields that are low in phosphorus and potassium as farmyard manure will deliver the greatest benefit to these areas. It is also worth carrying out any repair work or alterations well in advance of housing.
TAMS sheep fencing: Inspections are ongoing for fencing erected under the TAMS sheep fencing grant. An area that inspectors are focusing on is the specification of strainer posts.
Posts used must be a minimum diameter of 175mm and each post must also possess a stamp or cert to prove it has been produced to the standards required. Where certs/stamps did not come with posts, talk to your supplier.
Raddling rams: While for most the raddling of rams is a straightforward exercise, there are some questions raised at discussion group meetings each year, with the most interest from producers new to sheep farming.
Where using a harness, it is important to ensure that the harness is applied correctly and will not cause discomfort or impede breeding. If using a new harness, it is advisable to check it after a number of days as there is often some give in a new harness and it may need to be refastened. In terms of mixing powder for applying, the easiest way to prolong its persistency is to mix with some grease/oil.
Remember to take precautions to minimise the risk of ram subfertility/infertility by changing the raddle colour at least every two weeks, by running rams in groups, or changing rams where practising single-sire mating. If running a mixture of mature and ram lambs, it is best, where possible, to run a mature ram along with a ram lamb.
Concentrate selection: Sales of concentrates are slowly rising as more farmers introduce supplementation to lambs grazing average- to poor-quality grass to reduce finishing periods. There is no need for expensive formulations. Concentrates with high protein content are not required – a ration with 11% to 12% crude protein is more than adequate where lambs are grazing.
High levels of performance can be achieved with low cost, high-energy, cereal-based rations. Many farmers supplement with barley or oats and report no problems once fed at low levels. If increasing feeding rates over 0.5kg, it is safer to feed a balanced ration or nut, or to include a safer energy and fibre source, such as soya hulls. Unfortunately, merchants do not automatically state inclusion rates, with the only indication being ingredients listed in descending order of inclusion.
Target feeds with high energy cereals (barley, maize, wheat) and pulps (soya hulls, beet pulp) at the higher end of the scale and avoid feeds where ingredients such as palm kernel or sunflower are near the top of the ingredients lists.
Housing preparations: The longer housing is power-hosed and disinfected, the lower the risk will be of bacteria or viruses remaining in the environment. The slurry spreading closing period is fast approaching, with only a little under a week left to the last day for spreading of 14 October. The last day for applying farmyard manure is 31 October, with the closed period beginning on 1 November.
Where applying organic fertilisers, target fields that are low in phosphorus and potassium as farmyard manure will deliver the greatest benefit to these areas. It is also worth carrying out any repair work or alterations well in advance of housing.
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