Tagging
Darren Carty on 23 Jun 2021
Sheep Management: store lamb presentation, tag retention and sheep genetics
The store lamb trade has started strongly,with the best prices paid where producers are presenting lambs in optimum condition.
Darren Carty on 19 May 2021
Wool markets only blot on a clean 2021 copybook
Confidence among sheep farmers is high at present on the back of excellent sheepmeat market performance and this is underpinning investment in sheep systems.
Darren Carty on 19 May 2021
Sheep identification second highest cause of cross compliance penalties
Tagging issues were responsible for 68% of non-compliances, with the remaining 32% related to issues with recording and maintenance of the flock register.
Darren Carty on 19 May 2021
Sheep management: grass growth variance, paddock grazing and sheep ID
It is important that farmers experiencing a spike in grass growth are prepared to take surplus grass out of the rotation to keep grass quality high and plan for weaning.
Kieran Mailey on 01 May 2021
Five tips for making farms a safe workplace
With many farmers preoccupied with calving and fieldwork, it is easy to forget about safety measures. Outlined are five areas to always keep safety in mind.
John Egerton on 24 Mar 2021
Farmer Writes: fed up replacing lost cattle tags
Fermanagh farmer John Egerton reckons he needs to buy 40 replacement tags every year to keep within the rules.
Amy Forde on 25 Feb 2021
ICSA calls for tagging exemption for young lambs
The requirement to tag both ears on young lambs sold through marts is unwarranted and must be abolished, ICSA sheep chair Seán McNamara has said.
David Wright on 20 Jan 2021
NI farmers must retag UK livestock
From 1 January 2020, livestock moving from Britain to NI must be retagged
Jack Kennedy on 11 Dec 2020
Farm Tech Talk - the Livestock Show
Watch: our weekly roundup of the important issues affecting the dairy, beef and sheep sectors
Darren Carty on 09 Dec 2020
Understanding new tag threshold rules and analysis tag offerings
The threshold is based on the average number of calves registered in the herd in the previous three years.
Darren Carty on 09 Dec 2020
Over 20m calves tested under BVD eradication programme
Mandatory tissue tagging of calves will continue in 2021 with reports also indicating it is likely to continue in 2022.
Darren Carty on 09 Dec 2020
Northern Ireland animal inventory goes online
Registered sheep, goat, pig and bird flock/herd keepers have until 30 December 2020 to record their animal inventory for 2020.
Darren Carty on 09 Dec 2020
Number of LambPlus flocks jumps by 110 to 830 flocks
The 15% jump in participation has triggered a decision to extend the deadline to join LambPlus for newly established pedigree flocks until midnight on 15 December.
Darren Carty on 09 Dec 2020
Animal identification key to all aspects of farming
Keeping track of the identity and movements of animals is key to cross compliance and securing direct payments while new technologies are also relying more on animal identification.
Darren Carty on 09 Dec 2020
Department of Agriculture release updated COVID-19 TB testing arrangements
The updated arrangements cover the period up to 1 February 2021 and include a continued allowance of not testing calves until they reach 120 days of age.
Kieran Mailey on 09 Dec 2020
Fewer than 100 herds retaining PI calves in NI
Since the introduction of compulsory BVD testing in Northern Ireland, the number of herds retaining PI calves has fallen below 100.
Darren Carty on 06 Dec 2020
Understanding new tag threshold rules
The threshold is based on the average number of calves registered in the herd in the previous three years.
Letters to the Editor on 11 Nov 2020
Letter: missing ear tag on the Late Late Show
"I find it hard to believe aa bull was presented in public with only one ear tag" - Kerry farmer, name & details with the editor.
Darren Carty on 31 Oct 2020
Preparing for sheep inspections: the important aspects to consider
The sheep census continues to be the greatest cause of penalties in cross-compliance inspections, while failure to keep records up to date also features strongly.
Darren Carty on 28 Oct 2020
Sheep Management: hill flock breeding strategies and inspection prepartion
The optimum breeding strategy in hill sheep flocks should take into account the output levels in the flock, the target market and also be mindful that it is balanced with environment constraints