Sheep handling
Darren Carty on 20 Jan 2021
Sheep Management: lambing preparations and alternative bedding options
Farmers that require sheep handling or lambing equipment should note that there is presently high demand and order what they require in advance to prevent any significant delays.
Darren Carty on 22 Dec 2020
Sheep fencing tops TAMS sheep farmer submissions
Sheep fencing is ranked in seventh position in the top 10 most popular investments in TAMS II.
Darren Carty on 19 Aug 2020
Realising the value of weighing livestock
Regular weighing will allow performance to be monitored on an ongoing basis while an accurate record of the live weight of animals is valuable in administering health treatments.
Darren Carty on 19 Aug 2020
Everyone has a role to play in keeping marts open
The consequences of marts not adhering to social distancing guidelines are serious and puts marts at risk of facing closures and possible temporary suspensions of their licence to trade.
Darren Carty on 10 Aug 2020
TAMS clarity relieves pressure on applications
Planners report that the announcement that tranche 19 of TAMS II will open on 22 August 2020 is already giving farmers more leeway to plan applications in a more orderly fashion.
Kieran Mailey on 24 Jun 2020
NI Sheep Programme: farmers hosting virtual farmwalks
The programme will hold two virtual farmwalks on 2 and 9 July, starting at 7:30pm.
Lorcan Allen on 17 Jun 2020
2020 Innovation Arena opens for applicants as it reaches 10-year milestone
The 2020 Innovation Arena will move online, with entries now being judged via video call.
Darren Carty on 20 May 2020
Is plunge dipping making a comeback?
There are now several contractors operating a mobile plunge dipping service while there have been some queries of late as to costs and potential grant aid for handling units with dipping facilities.
Darren Carty on 20 May 2020
Challenging times for shearing and wool sectors
Shearing contractors must abide by tighter restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus while the pandemic has collapsed the trade for wool.
Darren Carty on 20 May 2020
Sheep Handling: different challenges one year on
The main topic of discussion in last year’s sheep handling focus was the mandatory introduction of full EID tagging and reduction in dipping products while this year coronavirus is underpinning issues
Darren Carty on 20 May 2020
Sheep management: tagging sheep, shearing preparations and grass growth
It is important to ensure lost tags are replaced periodically and that your flock register is maintained up to speed.
Darren Carty on 20 May 2020
Assessing your options for external parasite control
There is a significant difference between products in the range of external parasites controlled, the length of protection offered and withdrawal periods.
Darren Carty on 11 Mar 2020
Cut your annual workload with sheep by up to 16 days per 100 ewes
A recently launched guide to designing a sheep handling unit compiled by Teagasc's Edward Egan is a one-stop shop for planning an effective unit.
Darren Carty on 19 Feb 2020
Tailoring feeding levels to ewe nutritional requirements
Programme advisor Senan White says lowland flocks are focused on late pregnancy feeding, while out-wintered hill flocks are planning feeding programmes based on recent scanning results.
Darren Carty on 05 Feb 2020
Sheep management: marketing hoggets, soil fertility and sheep handling
Marketing hoggets at the correct weight and fat score will optimise producer returns while also providing benefits in reducing the volume of free sheepmeat coming onto the market.
Jack Kennedy on 25 Dec 2019
Handling set up for the future
Consider all options when looking at new handling facilities on livestock farms, writes Jack Kennedy.
Peter Varley on 25 Dec 2019
Up to 60% grant aid available for sheep handling equipment
There is one year left to apply for grant aid towards sheep handling investments, writes Peter Varley.
Darren Carty on 25 Dec 2019
Fine-tuning production and labour availability in Wales
The husband and wife team of Huw and Shelia Davies run a 500-head ewe flock on Llandre Farm alongside a number of off-farm activities.
Darren Carty on 21 Aug 2019
Spotlight on sheep handling at sheep and beef open day
The Tullamore Farm Beef and Sheep Open Day offered farmers a chance to see sheep handling units in action in the one venue.
Darren Carty on 21 Aug 2019
Accessing grant aid for EID readers
Store lamb producers are eligible for TAMS II grant aid to purchase EID readers but with the next tranche date closing on 4 October it will be late in the year at the earliest before approval is got.