Tagging changes: Saturday 1 June marks the first day of the introduction of mandatory electronic identification (EID) across all sheep. It is important to note new dispatch booklets possessing a barcode must be used for all movements of sheep with Friday 31 March being the last day that current dispatch documents are permitted. Old booklets can be filed away at this stage but, as per National Sheep Identification System rules, documents must be retained for three years for inspection purposes.

To recap on tagging changes, all sheep moving from a holding from 1 June onwards must possess electronic identification. For lambs leaving the holding of birth for direct slaughter, one electronic tag applied in the animal’s right ear will suffice. For mart or farm-to-farm movements, sheep must possess an EID tag set comprising a conventional tag in the left ear and an electronic tag in the right ear. Alternatively, a bolus can be used and in such cases sheep must possess a blue conventional tag in the left ear to denote the presence of a bolus with the identification number on the tag corresponding to the bolus.

It is envisaged that the main sheep processing plants will be in a position to operate as a central point of recording from Tuesday. This will allow tag numbers to be read in the factory and a copy provided to the person presenting the sheep. Over 40 marts have submitted an expression of interest to act as a CPR but many of these will not be in a position to operate as a CPR on 1 June. It is therefore advisable to check what the current status with your mart is to ascertain if tag numbers need to be read. Where a list is being provided by a CPR it is important to check that the serial number printed on the list of presented tag numbers (LPT) matches the serial number on the dispatch document presented to the mart and also that the number of sheep is correct.

Producers with their own equipment can read and print a list of tag numbers and affix this to the dispatch document. Remember, a copy of tag numbers must be retained for your own records.

Care with pesticides: Farmers are being urged to take care when using pesticides following the detection of glyphosate in drinking water in Newport, Co Mayo. The levels detected did not pose any risk but it is critical to prevent such instances to safeguard both water quality and future availability of these important chemicals. The weather forecast should be closely followed in advance of spraying/weed licking to gauge potential rainfall and wind speed while the necessary buffer zones should always be adhered to. Take note also that only professional use products based on the active substance glyphosate can be used in a weed-wiper.

Areas of Natural Constraint: Stocking rate requirements for the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme include a minimum of 0.15LU/ha over the calendar year and within this there is a minimum retention period of 0.15LU /ha for seven consecutive months.

If this has not been met before now then there are only days left to get the required numbers. Farm-to-farm movements must be notified within seven days of sheep moving.