LATEST
Sheep lameness booklet launched
Battling lameness in your flock and needing guidance as to why a particular ewe has foot problems and which treatment is best?
Then the free sheep lameness guide just launched by AgriSearch in association with the LMC and AFBI is a must have! This very practical, pocket sized publication helps producers diagnose the cause of lameness in sheep, identify treatment and prevention options as well as follow best practice for foot bathing and foot trimming.
Booklets are available free from AgriSearch on ph; (028) 8778 9770 Email:
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or from CAFRE Beef & Sheep Advisors.
Designed to fit in the pocket and stand up to use outside as you work with sheep this ring bound booklet combines photographs with bullet points on each possible cause of lameness . Even those in sheep a lifetime cannot but benefit from having this farmer friendly guide to hand.
Surely one of the most useful, brief and to the point booklets to hand in recent years this publication is not for your bookshelf. Rather it belongs in the top pocket of anyone working with their ewes
Large crowds flock to sheep farm walks
Close to 500 farmers attended a series of four Sheep Farm Walks across Northern Ireland organised by AgriSearch, AFBI and CAFRE on the 21-24 January.
Each of the host farmers first outlined their breeding strategy. Joe Maginn’s farms mostly Blackface ewes on common grazing grounds in the Mournes, 1,000-3,000 ft above sea level, together with 90 suckler cows. He also uses 30 ha of lowland and 40 ha of LFA. The key objectives of Joe’s breeding policy are to breed durable ewes from within the flock with the capacity to increase numbers of lambs weaned per ewe and improve lambing ease. Close to 90 visiting farmers particularly enjoyed the opportunity they were given to view Joe’s Blackface ewes, Swaledale and Blackface rams as well as crossbred ewes obtained as part of the AFBI trials. Farmers expressed particular interest in knowing more about the origins and benefits of using Belclare and Highlander sire breeds to obtain replacement ewes. Seamus Maginn replied that he was most satisfied with his pure Blackface and Swaledale x Blackface ewes, and that the other breeds did not seem to cope as well with hard hill conditions. Most of the ewes from their flock are lambing outdoors in April.
HILL AND LOWLAND ALIKE RESEARCH BETTER RETURNS
TWO leading hill sheep units feature in the series of four AgriSearch farms walks for Ulster lamb producers next week from Jan 21-24.
All these ‘Sheep Saunters with Scientists’ leave the farmyard at 2pm prompt so producers must plan to be parked up by 1.45pm to allow time for vital biosecurity measures.
The hills farms are those of Samuel Wharry above Carnlough and Joe Maginn in the Mountains of Mourne near Newcastle.
Each of the four host farmers is deeply involved in on-farm research with AFBI, Hillsborough that is funded jointly by the UK government through DARD and by NI farmers through AgriSearch. Research selected for support from the industry as being likely to boost competitiveness and build a better rural economy.
SHEEP FARMERS WALK THE TALK WITH SCIENTISTS
This month sheep farm walks of interest to every progressive, practical lamb producer will be held on hill and lowland farms across Northern Ireland. The walks are being organized jointly by AFBI, AgriSearch and CAFRE.
All the host farmers currently participate in on-farm research with AFBI Hillsborough, funded by DARD and AgriSearch.
Thus these farm walks are an excellent opportunity to discuss practical research findings with the host farmer and staff from AFBI, AgriSearch and CAFRE. Major topics to debate include updates on the benefits of crossbred ewes for improved production efficiency, feeding strategies for indoor lambing systems and health aspects in late pregnancy, including how to better diagnose and treat lameness.
