OviCast

Apr 01 2025 266 ep. 17 mins 33
OviCast Podcast artwork

OviCast is the Teagasc Sheep podcast. Presented by Ciaran Lynch it brings you the latest advice, insights and technical updates for the sheep industry. Visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast/

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What fertiliser does your silage ground need?

Apr 01 2025 15 mins  
Teagasc Specialist, Mark Plunkett, joins us on this week’s OviCast to explore the nutrient requirements for this year’s silage crop. Mark provides valuable insights into the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) demands of a silage crop, detailing how slurry and farmyard manure contribute to nutrient supply and what additional inputs may be necessary to achieve optim

Troubleshooting problems in the field

Mar 25 2025 23 mins  
Sheep specialist, Michael Gottstein, joins us on this week's OviCast to discuss how to stay ahead of potential issues in the flock post-turnout.Michael provides insights into the current situation on farms and shares practical advice for maintaining performance, especially where grass supplies are tight. He explains why managing a separate group of problem ewes and lambs can be a b

March Grass10 Update

Mar 17 2025 5 mins  
Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead. Niamh discusses current growth grass rates, grazing management, setting up a rotation and targets for the month ahead as well as fertiliser advice. You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/

Tips for the lambing shed

Mar 11 2025 16 mins  
Niall Conaty from Teagasc Agricultural College Ballyhaise joins us to discuss practical tips for the lambing shed. We cover setup, pen layout, group pens and dedicated areas for problem cases and Niall offers insights on streamlining tasks to reduce workload during this busy period.We also discuss how simple additions, such as whiteboards and labels on pens, can improve communicati

Grassland – getting off to the right start

Mar 04 2025 22 mins  
Dr. Philip Creighton joins us on this week’s OviCast to discuss key aspects of grazing management for the weeks ahead. We discuss opening covers on farms this spring, the factors influencing them, and their implications for management post-turnout. Philip also shares insights on fertiliser application response rates and the economics behind it. Additionally, we dive into grazing

February Grass10 Update

Feb 21 2025 4 mins  
Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead. Niamh also highlights opening covers on farms and current growth rates, plus we discuss fertiliser prices and targeted application before finishing up with grazing management. You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/gr

Clostridial vaccination

Feb 19 2025 23 mins  
Kieran O’Mahony, Area Veterinary Manager at Zoetis, joins us on this week’s OviCast to discuss Clostridial vaccination in sheep. Kieran outlines the challenges posed by Clostridial disease, followed by an in-depth discussion on vaccination strategies and optimal timing for both ewes and lambs. We also cover key practical considerations, including proper vaccine storage and ad

Scan results & managing ewe condition in late pregnancy

Feb 05 2025 15 mins  
As lambing season approaches, we're joined by Dr. Frank Campion to discuss key aspects of managing ewe condition at this critical stage of the production cycle. Frank begins by analysing the latest scan results from the BETTER farms and comparing them to previous seasons. We also examine the challenges posed by lower feed value silage this year and its implications for feeding plan

The Sheep Census

Jan 28 2025 10 mins  
Jason Callaghan from the AIMS division in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine joins this week’s OviCast to discuss various aspects of the Sheep Census. Jason outlines the key dates and deadlines for submission and explains the three different methods available:- Written form- Agfood account- Using the AIMS Services appHe also walks us through the different census c

January Grass10 Update

Jan 23 2025 4 mins  
Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead. Niamh first discusses over-winter growth and the importance of assessing opening covers; she then explains the spreading dates for chemical and organic fertiliser and the need to ensure conditions are suitable before spreading. Finally, Niamh encourages anyone who