OviCast

Dr. Frank Campion joins us on the latest OviCast as we discuss ewe condition and mating management in hill ewes. 

Frank discusses the impact of ewe condition on performance in hill flocks, plus we discuss the targets and variation in ewe weight on the BETTER farms. 

We move on to discuss single sire mating and crossbreeding, finishing up with Frank offering some tips on reducing the impact of ram infertility. 

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animal...

Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update on the latest OviCast discussing grass management tips for the month ahead. 

Niamh discusses the higher growth rates over the past few weeks and the impact this has had on grazing this back end. 

We also discuss the closing plan and the importance of staying on target and we finish up with Niamh offering some tips on achieving good graze outs.

You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass...

Bord Bia sheep sector manager, Seamus McMenamin, joins us on this week’s OviCast with an update on the market conditions. 

We discuss the current trade and what’s driving prices, the trend in numbers this year and how this might impact the trade for the coming months. 

We also discuss the impact of bluetongue and southern hemisphere imports on trade on the European market.  

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Teagasc ruminant nutrition specialist, Aisling Claffey, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we discuss lamb finishing rations. 

Aisling explains ration spec and highlights some of the key areas to look out for when choosing a finishing ration, highlighting why it’s important that it’s correctly formulated. 

We move on to discuss feed management with Aisling offering her tips on trouble shooting potential issues to avoid a dip in performance.  

For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/a...

Dr Fiona Lovatt from Flock Health joins us on this week’s OviCast to talk about the bluetongue situation in the UK. 

Fiona gives us a description of the condition and explains the impact it has on livestock. We discuss the spread of it in Europe and the UK and the control measures put in place to limit its impact and how they work. 

We also discuss the role of vaccination and how this differs from previous serotypes encountered. 

More information on bluetongue can be found on the Depa...

Dr Fiona McAuliffe from the SRUC joins us on this OviCast episode as we discuss the challenge of blackloss and photosensitisation in Scottish hill flocks. 

We discuss the extent of blackloss or the unexplained loss of lambs on extensive hill grazings.

Fiona describes the various causes and some of the follow up work where she examined the underlying factors responsible for lamb losses. 

We move on to discuss photosensitisation in more detail, its causes, predisposing factors and management options. 

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Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead. 

Niamh discusses current growth rates and grass covers, and managing supply for the weeks ahead. 

We discuss the autumn closing plan, graze outs and managing clover swards at closing.

Finally, Niamh discusses upcoming deadlines for FYM and lime and Potassium applications. 

Link to the autumn closing planner: 

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/sheep/Sheep-Autumn-Closing-Planner.pdf

You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:

https://www...

Sheep specialist, Damian Costello, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we discuss a new survey just launched that is examining labour on sheep farms.  

Labour is widely acknowledged as a big challenge in the running of a sheep enterprise, particularly in an era where part-time, sheep farming is now the norm. 

Damian talks about the key areas the survey is examining and how this information will help inform future discussions. 

We finish up with Damian explaining how to complete it online and in paper formant 

The link to the survey...

Seamus Fagan from the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Veterinary Lab in Athlone joins us for the latest OviCast episode as we discuss various health issues this autumn. 

With many flocks completing the final check over ewes before going to the ram, Seamus highlights some of the teeth problems they have been seeing in the lab in recent years that are going under-diagnosed and how this is contributing to thinner ewes. 

We focus in particular on molar teeth problems in ewes, how they present and the impact that it can have. 

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Bimeda Vet, Rachel Mallet, joins us on this week’s OviCast as we discuss sheep scab and treatment options. 

Rachel first explains how sheep scab occurs, how it is spread and correct diagnosis. We then discuss the various treatment options for both conventional and organic flocks. 

We finish up discussing plunge dipping with Rachel highlighting best practice when completing this task.

For more information on mobile sheep dip operators go to:

https://www.bimeda.ie/mobile-sheep-dippers

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