Sheep Management
Darren Carty on 20 October 2021
Sheep Management: mating ewe lambs, hill ewe condition and manure deadline
Teagasc research shows that the heavier ewe lambs are at mating the better the chances are of lambs rearing an average of one lamb per ewe lamb joined to rams.
Darren Carty on 13 October 2021
Sheep Management: temporary grazing agreements and breeding management
The cost of temporary grazing agreements is coming under the spotlight with some farmers weighing up if it is more attractive financially over purchasing store lambs.
Darren Carty on 6 October 2021
Sheep Management: liver fluke and temporary grazing agreements
The threat of liver fluke looks like it will be normal this back end and farmers with a history of fluke issues need to be mindful to have an adequate control programme in place.
Jack Kennedy on 1 October 2021
Watch or listen: Farm Tech Talk - The Livestock Show
It's early October, but there is lots happening in and out of the fields in every sector.
Darren Carty on 29 September 2021
Transforming hill and lowland breeding fortunes in Antrim
Dermot McAleese’s hill flock is in the unusual position of reaching a level of prolificacy which is verging on being too high, with an average litter size in the region of 1.57 lambs per ewe joined.
Darren Carty on 29 September 2021
Sheep Management: tailoring closing plans and grazing heavy covers
Grass supplies are typically very positive on most sheep farms at present and small tweaks may be required to grazing plans to stay on target with closing plans and underpin animal performance.
Darren Carty on 22 September 2021
Sheep Management: hill flock breeding and mating strategies
The optimum breeding strategy in hill sheep flocks should take into account the output levels in the flock, the target market and be mindful that it is balanced with the environment.
Contributor on 15 September 2021
Clock ticking but still possibly time to address ewe condition
Frank Campion assesses ewe body condition score trends on Teagasc BETTER farm sheep programme farms and its effect on reproductive performance.
Kieran Mailey on 15 September 2021
NI Sheep Programme: time for pre-breeding checks on rams
With breeding little over one month away for mid-season lambing flocks, now is the time to check the physical condition of rams. Kieran Mailey writes.
Darren Carty on 15 September 2021
Sheep Management: variable lamb performance and pasteurellosis
Some farmers are reporting poor lamb thrive despite animals grazing on good-quality grass while factory procurement personnel are also reporting significant variation in slaughter performance.
Darren Carty on 8 September 2021
Tullamore Farm: Factory lamb sale price averaging €131.46/head
The latest batch of lambs drafted on 26 August achieved an average sale value of €132.85.
Darren Carty on 8 September 2021
Sheep management: Grazing heavy covers, ram health checks and lime type.
Most sheep farmers have recorded a spike in growth rates, which is positive in building autumn supplies, but is also presenting some grazing challenges.
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