The key messages in this week’s newsletter are:
PastureBase data for the week & Elodie Ruelle’s MoSt Grass Growth Prediction Model. A return to dry and settled conditions at last!
Grazing and Fertiliser advice as we move into early March. Begin walking your farm weekly from this week and record covers on PastureBase Ireland to monitor Average Farm Cover and % grazed.
An update from William Burchill on the Teagasc/Dairygold Joint Programme on the benefits of using LESS technology.
Grazing Management Tips on Irish Sheep farms as lambing begins from Philip Creighton in Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway.
Spring Grazing Update from Grassland Farmer of the Year, Dairy category and overall winner Caroline Walsh.
The key messages in this week’s newsletter are:
PastureBase data for the week & Elodie Ruelle’s MoSt Grass Growth Prediction Model. Growth predictions are low for the remainder of this week, however the forecast is for a return to milder weather over the weekend.
Images from farmers around the country who are beginning grazing for spring 2021.
Did you miss our webinar titled “Getting Familiar with PastureBase Ireland” last week? Catch up here
Information on a new Clover Research Programme starting in April 2021.
Tips on Spring grazing on sheep farms from Philip Creighton, Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway.
Aidan Maguire runs a Dairy-Calf to Beef system in Co. Meath. Aidan puts a big focus now on spring grazing and getting out to grass early in the year. Watch a video to see how Aidan manages grazing in spring on his farm here
Reduce mortality at lambing time
Over 50% of lamb mortality that occurs in the first 48 hours of life can be attributed to infectious disease and starvation. Every lamb that is saved represents extra profit for the farmer.
Teagasc estimate’s that approximately half of the lambs that are lost in the first 48 hours of life can be saved by paying attention to a few key areas such as nutrition, hygiene and flock health all of which will be covered in the upcoming episode of the ‘Let’s Talk Sheep’ webinars which takes place tonight at 8:00pm.
You can register for the series of webinars which take place once a month by visiting: www.teagasc.ie/letstalksheep.
Sticking with what we have and selecting for superior genetics rather than importing genetics from New Zealand is seen as the way forward for Irish sheep farmers, according to Nicola Featherstone.
Nicola was speaking at the first of two virtual Teagasc Sheep Conferences which were held yesterday evening (Tuesday, January 26).
Teagasc Walsh Scholar Nicola gave an update on the INZAC trial in Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway, which compares 1-star and 5-star Irish ewes with elite New Zealand ewes.
One question put to Nicola during yesterday’s session was how relevant did she think New Zealand sheep are in an Irish context and if they are far superior to what we have here in Ireland?
Teagasc Virtual Sheep Conference
The annual national Teagasc Sheep Conference is going virtual this year and will take place across two evenings at 8pm on Tuesday, 26th January and Thursday, 28th January. An exciting line up of Teagasc and international speakers have been assembled for the two sessions.
Teagasc Virtual Sheep Conference on Tuesday, 26th January and Thursday 28th January
Speaking in advance of the virtual conference, Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc said: “As we face into 2021, this is an important opportunity for sheep farmers, and those in the sheep sector, to update their knowledge on a number of key aspects of lowland sheep production. I am particularly looking forward to hear from our international speakers, Paul Kenyon from New Zealand and UK vet Ben Shrugnal, on their respective topics.”