Temporary movement of sheep:

There have been more requests for a recap on rules for temporary grazing of sheep, with beef and some dairy farmers looking to clean off paddocks and tillage farmers looking to get catch crops grazed. The requirement to submit movement documentation depends on what type of farm the sheep are moving to.

Where the movement is to tillage land to graze green cover, for example, or to a holding possessing no stock, sheep can be moved to and from the temporary grazing without dispatch documents and without notifying the DAFM.

If the temporary movement is to a mixed farm where there are livestock present, the DAFM must be notified. There is no change in ownership, however, and therefore the onus lies with the owner of the sheep to notify the Department. This can be carried out by completing a dispatch document and sending the pink copy to the local DVO. Notification of a return from temporary grazing can be completed by sending the white copy of the dispatch document and clearly stating “return from temporary grazing”.

An exception which applies for many movements is where sheep are being moved to a livestock farm where there are fragmented lands or outfarm blocks. In this case, sheep can be moved to a parcel or outfarm away from the primary holding without notifying DAFM provided there are no livestock on any part of the land sheep are being moved to.

If you wish to gain credit under nitrates regulations for nitrogen and phosphorus produced while sheep are on the temporary holding to reduce your annual production, then DAFM must be notified. Where the movement is recorded with DAFM, as outlined above, this will suffice. Where there is no need to notify the local DVO, notice of the movement, using Record 4, Temporary Movement Form, must be sent to the DAFM nitrates section in Johnstown Castle, Wexford.

Supplementing suckling ewes:

Supplementation will be key for early lambing ewes, particularly those remaining indoors for a long period. With access to good-quality silage (68 to 70 DMD) or hay, twin suckling ewes in good body condition will require 1.2kg to 1.5kg concentrate supplementation, rising 0.2kg to 0.3kg for ewes in poor body condition. Ewes in good body condition and suckling single lambs will require 0.5kg to 0.7kg, again rising to about 1kg where body condition is poor. Target a protein content of 18% where feeding smaller volumes. Remember to offer access to ad-lib water, with intake jumping sharply post lambing.

Safety precautions:

A significant percentage of accidents occur when we are under pressure to get work done. The risks are heightened on family farms where young children and elderly are present. Take the necessary precautions over Christmas to ensure the risk of accidents is minimised, particularly in mind of stormy conditions forecast over the coming days. Secure swinging gates or doors securely and fasten down anything that is a flight risk in high winds.

Finally, I would like to thank all readers for their feedback and cooperation whether in farm meetings or hosting articles throughout the year and wish every reader and their families a safe and enjoyable Christmas.