General sheep thread

charolais0153 · 26-09-2020 7:52pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

How are yer lambs thriving folks?

Weighed a few of my store lambs there today, disappointed with the weight gain over the last few weeks...

They being moved around on fresh grass every few days - now I know the grass is watery enough now this time of year, but I would have expected then to do a bit better...

Grass only doesn't cut the mustard, even half a pound would help them big time

Dinzee Conlee · 26-09-2020 8:24pm

charolais0153 wrote: »

Grass only doesn't cut the mustard, even half a pound would help them big time

Yeah, am debating it... A few lambs didn’t put on hardly any weight In the last 3 weeks...
They aren’t dirty, and don’t look washed out in the wool or anything... I gave them a homemade mineral dose anyways, see would that help them along...

On the meal feeding - I was hoping to avoid it as would have to feed them in troughs - which would be a pain...

But, as you say Charolais, it might be necessary...

Siamsa Sessions · 26-09-2020 8:31pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Yeah, am debating it... A few lambs didn’t put on hardly any weight In the last 3 weeks...
They aren’t dirty, and don’t look washed out in the wool or anything... I gave them a homemade mineral dose anyways, see would that help them along...

On the meal feeding - I was hoping to avoid it as would have to feed them in troughs - which would be a pain...

But, as you say Charolais, it might be necessary...

Think of it as insurance

Young95 · 26-09-2020 8:47pm

wrangler wrote: »

A kg/week or a little more on grass alone is about average for this time of year, a bit depressing at times. With us the lambs that are around this time of year are the poor thrivers anyway.
We've 25% of our lambs left so have them pushed up to kg/day of meal in an effort to get rid

How much meal would you start then on wrangler? And how many weeks would it take to build them up ? Surely a kg/day for lambs at this time of year is abit much no ?

wrangler · 26-09-2020 8:54pm

Young95 wrote: »

How much meal would you start then on wrangler? And how many weeks would it take to build them up ? Surely a kg/day for lambs at this time of year is abit much no ?

I'm using an advantage feeder, they can't eat too much at a time with that so don't sicken.
They were getting .25kg/day after weaning and started increasing about three weeks ago and they are just at a kg now

Green farmer · 26-09-2020 9:20pm

wrangler wrote: »

I'm using an advantage feeder, they can't eat too much at a time with that so don't sicken.
They were getting .25kg/day after weaning and started increasing about three weeks ago and they are just at a kg now

Given the store price atm, would you be tempted to just cash them in, versus cost of mealing them ?

wrangler · 26-09-2020 9:31pm

Green farmer wrote: »

Given the store price atm, would you be tempted to just cash them in, versus cost of mealing them ?

No, I always stick it out to the bitter end,
In my time at sheep I've hit more bad days in marts than good ones so I just got sick of them. Never would go to them now

foxirl · 26-09-2020 9:31pm

wrangler wrote: »

I'm using an advantage feeder, they can't eat too much at a time with that so don't sicken.
They were getting .25kg/day after weaning and started increasing about three weeks ago and they are just at a kg now

Was considering one of these. Have you it out in the field. Any issue with rain getting in where they lick the feed and clocking it up . Are you putting grain through it or a sheep nut.

Any good for feeding ewes coming up to lambing. Would reduce ewes hurting themselves at troughs

Thanks

Green farmer · 26-09-2020 9:34pm

wrangler wrote: »

No, I always stick it out to the bitter end,
In my time at sheep I've hit more bad days in marts than good ones so I just got sick of them. Never would go to them now

Ya I hear you, every year I'm too stubborn to give up on them as well and keep going no matter what. Ain't always the right decision, but there you go.

wrangler · 26-09-2020 9:43pm

foxirl wrote: »

Was considering one of these. Have you it out in the field. Any issue with rain getting in where the lick the feed and clocking it up . Are you putting grain through it or a sheep nut.

Thanks

It does clog a bit in wet weather but it's not a problen , it even comes with a scraper, I use a pellet and the dust element attracts the moisture. probably would work better with whole grain.
We put the end facing the prevailing wind rather than the side, you'd have to pull the scraper along the little troughs about every two or three days in bad weather.

razor8 · 26-09-2020 10:16pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Yeah, am debating it... A few lambs didn’t put on hardly any weight In the last 3 weeks...
They aren’t dirty, and don’t look washed out in the wool or anything... I gave them a homemade mineral dose anyways, see would that help them along...

On the meal feeding - I was hoping to avoid it as would have to feed them in troughs - which would be a pain...

But, as you say Charolais, it might be necessary...

Are these lambs you bought or your own that you want shifted?

wrangler · 26-09-2020 10:24pm

foxirl wrote: »

Was considering one of these. Have you it out in the field. Any issue with rain getting in where they lick the feed and clocking it up . Are you putting grain through it or a sheep nut.

Any good for feeding ewes coming up to lambing. Would reduce ewes hurting themselves at troughs

Thanks

Yea, I fed my ewe lambs one year right up to a fortnight before lambing, one ewe out of 120 went thin, obviously hadn't figured out the feeder

Dinzee Conlee · 26-09-2020 10:33pm

razor8 wrote: »

Are these lambs you bought or your own that you want shifted?

Lambs I bought...

Will be keeping them til next year. No rush to sell or finish them - but at the same time, want to keep them moving on too...

ganmo · 26-09-2020 11:26pm

Lincospectin?

razor8 · 27-09-2020 8:15am

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Lambs I bought...

Will be keeping them til next year. No rush to sell or finish them - but at the same time, want to keep them moving on too...

Once there ticking along on good grass theyll be fine. Once the spring grass comes they pile on the weight.

Most important thing now is that you have dosed properly

rule supreme · 27-09-2020 12:26pm

Is Lincospectin only available off a vet .

DJ98 · 27-09-2020 12:51pm

What's the best bolus to give ewes pre tipping?

orm0nd · 27-09-2020 2:17pm

DJ98 wrote: »

What's the best bolus to give ewes pre tipping?

Agrimin 24/7. or. Animax all sure

Dinzee Conlee · 27-09-2020 2:27pm

razor8 wrote: »

Once there ticking along on good grass theyll be fine. Once the spring grass comes they pile on the weight.

Most important thing now is that you have dosed properly

They are dosed, and they are all clean enough... They are fine and healthy looking...
The way they looked, I thought they were motoring along as you say. But then when weighed, I was disappointed...

They got a cobalt dose, but I am thinking of getting them a mineral dose with selenium... will get some and give it to them next weekend...

I won’t have grass for too long more, another month will see me out - so they’ll be on their winter rations then...

But would like to find out if and what the issue is now, as I feel something is not quite right...

Farmer_3650 · 27-09-2020 5:45pm

DJ98 wrote: »

What's the best bolus to give ewes pre tipping?

We gave the mayo healthcare bolus the last 2 years and very happy with it.

Farmer_3650 · 27-09-2020 5:46pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

They are dosed, and they are all clean enough... They are fine and healthy looking...
The way they looked, I thought they were motoring along as you say. But then when weighed, I was disappointed...

They got a cobalt dose, but I am thinking of getting them a mineral dose with selenium... will get some and give it to them next weekend...

I won’t have grass for too long more, another month will see me out - so they’ll be on their winter rations then...

But would like to find out if and what the issue is now, as I feel something is not quite right...

Could be worth getting a blood test and it might show up any deficiencies

DJ98 · 27-09-2020 5:59pm

Farmer_3650 wrote: »

We gave the mayo healthcare bolus the last 2 years and very happy with it.

Can that be bought online anywhere?

Dinzee Conlee · 27-09-2020 6:50pm

Farmer_3650 wrote: »

We gave the mayo healthcare bolus the last 2 years and very happy with it.

Gave the store lambs the lamb bolus from Mayo this year, for first time...
This one - https://www.mayohealthcare.ie/product-details.php?ID=8&cat=2

I used the 4 in 1 for ewes last year for the store lambs...
This one - https://www.mayohealthcare.ie/product-details.php?ID=62&cat=2

So, maybe I need to go back to the ewe bolus for the store lambs...

DJ98 wrote: »

Can that be bought online anywhere?

If you ring mayo, they will give you the number of your local rep and you can order off them.
I think agridirect have them as well...

Dinzee Conlee · 27-09-2020 6:51pm

Farmer_3650 wrote: »

Could be worth getting a blood test and it might show up any deficiencies

I’ll try the mineral dose with selenium and see how I get on...

There’s probably a bit of quare-ness coming into play to try to figure it out myself as well...

White Clover · 27-09-2020 8:49pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

I’ll try the mineral dose with selenium and see how I get on...

There’s probably a bit of quare-ness coming into play to try to figure it out myself as well...

I use "Grovite Sheep" regularly here. Our ground here would be low in several minerals and high in molybdenum. I find it really good. If thrive was dropping off or If I saw a few ears getting "scaley", a dose of grovite would get things back on track again.

Farmer_3650 · 27-09-2020 8:53pm

DJ98 wrote: »

Can that be bought online anywhere?

Sheepproducts.ie has them along with a good range of products

Green farmer · 27-09-2020 8:57pm

Farmer_3650 wrote: »

Sheepproducts.ie has them along with a good range of products

Bought some stuff off them recently. Very decent to deal with and stuff arrived the following day .

Dinzee Conlee · 27-09-2020 9:43pm

White Clover wrote: »

I use "Grovite Sheep" regularly here. Our ground here would be low in several minerals and high in molybdenum. I find it really good. If thrive was dropping off or If I saw a few ears getting "scaley", a dose of grovite would get things back on track again.

Used it before, found it ok if a bit expensive - but like everything, if it works it cheap after...

I ordered some Cobalt B12 with selenium from this crowd...
https://www.gibsonsonline.ie/product/cobalt-b12-1l?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7YCq0I-K7AIVUc3tCh1g0w7MEAQYASABEgKFUvD_BwE

I am low in cobalt, so I dose them with a homemade cobalt sulphate mix...
But this doesn’t have selenium - so going to go with the above and see what happens...

Ard_MC · 27-09-2020 10:39pm

Farmer_3650 wrote: »

We gave the mayo healthcare bolus the last 2 years and very happy with it.

Trying it this year for the first time. How long before the ram goes out do you give it?

Farmer_3650 · 27-09-2020 11:18pm

Ard_MC wrote: »

Trying it this year for the first time. How long before the ram goes out do you give it?

3 weeks.

k mac · 30-09-2020 12:22pm

Does a flock number automatically cancel if it hasn't been used in a few years. I got one 6 years ago I had a herd number already but have not bought any sheep since

Siamsa Sessions · 30-09-2020 2:34pm

k mac wrote: »

Does a flock number automatically cancel if it hasn't been used in a few years. I got one 6 years ago I had a herd number already but have not bought any sheep since

I'd be guessing it depends on the Dept's policy at any given time. Which may change a year later. And then change back again the following year.

It's admin and paperwork so best to ring your local Dept office and check

Lambman · 30-09-2020 8:04pm

Does anyone know the calculation used for nitrates on an all sheep farm? Got a letter out today till say I'm getting cut 20% as I was over it in 2019... inwas stocking higher than previous years and buying and finishing inside aswell.

wrangler · 30-09-2020 8:35pm

Lambman wrote: »

Does anyone know the calculation used for nitrates on an all sheep farm? Got a letter out today till say I'm getting cut 20% as I was over it in 2019... inwas stocking higher than previous years and buying and finishing inside aswell.

You'll get it on page 44 of this link

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/environment/nitrates/2018Nitratesexplanatoryhandbook03042018.pdf

roosky · 30-09-2020 8:40pm

k mac wrote: »

Does a flock number automatically cancel if it hasn't been used in a few years. I got one 6 years ago I had a herd number already but have not bought any sheep since

If you have a herd number you can buy sheep even if you haven’t had sheep for a few years the “flock number doesn’t go dormant”.

But if you have a herd number with cattle and sheep then sell the cattle and only keep sheep your “herd number for cattle” will go dormant even though you have sheep.....I assume it’s something to do with TB

DJ98 · 30-09-2020 9:50pm

How would a person go about finding winter grazing for sheep?

early_riser · 01-10-2020 10:43am

DJ98 wrote: »

How would a person go about finding winter grazing for sheep?

Local auctioneers, wanted ad on done deal or a local paper, word of mouth, ad on notice board local mart ect..

DJ98 · 02-10-2020 12:45pm

Might sound like a ridiculous question but got the mayo healthcare bolus for ewes, question is do you put the yellow capsule in the applicator and straight down the throat? Or do open them up it's just that they seem awful big

Dinzee Conlee · 02-10-2020 1:08pm

DJ98 wrote: »

Might sound like a ridiculous question but got the mayo healthcare bolus for ewes, question is do you put the yellow capsule in the applicator and straight down the throat? Or do open them up it's just that they seem awful big

The bolus gun that I have won’t fit the yellow tablet - so I have to open them, and put the two little capsules into the gun...

I think you can get a bigger bolus gun I think, but I just worked with what I had...

weatherbyfoxer · 02-10-2020 1:08pm

DJ98 wrote: »

Might sound like a ridiculous question but got the mayo healthcare bolus for ewes, question is do you put the yellow capsule in the applicator and straight down the throat? Or do open them up it's just that they seem awful big

put them down whole with the applicator,the minute they get wet the disolve and the metal filing are left...i found those particular bolus useless...blooded ewes 6 weeks after application and the trace element levels didn't improve

Dinzee Conlee · 02-10-2020 2:13pm

weatherbyfoxer wrote: »

put them down whole with the applicator,the minute they get wet the disolve and the metal filing are left...i found those particular bolus useless...blooded ewes 6 weeks after application and the trace element levels didn't improve

That's interesting...

Used em before, and I thought they were ok... Used em again, and I felt they didnt last - ewes looked short of cobalt after about 3 months or so...

I think some people have said here before that they are going back to regular mineral dosing. I know its a bit of a pain, but it probably is the best really... Prob going that way myself...

orm0nd · 02-10-2020 2:27pm

weatherbyfoxer wrote: »

put them down whole with the applicator,the minute they get wet the disolve and the metal filing are left...i found those particular bolus useless...blooded ewes 6 weeks after application and the trace element levels didn't improve

never had much faith in them myself, that why I recommended agrimin or animax a few posts back,

wrangler · 02-10-2020 4:54pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

The bolus gun that I have won’t fit the yellow tablet - so I have to open them, and put the two little capsules into the gun...

I think you can get a bigger bolus gun I think, but I just worked with what I had...

would they really be slow release if you broke them, they'd ssurely go through them very quick

DJ98 · 02-10-2020 6:08pm

Was dosing and bolusing ewes here today, when in the race some ewes jumped out before they got there treatment (about 7 in total) and mixed with those that had been done? I marked any ewes that had been done after this happening but if I gather them in again to treat the once missed would I do harm if ended up doing the same ewe twice or would it be best just to leave them be?

Dinzee Conlee · 02-10-2020 6:20pm

wrangler wrote: »

would they really be slow release if you broke them, they'd ssurely go through them very quick

No, they come as two small bolus that are in one plastic capsule...
I just dump the outer plastic capsule...

wrangler · 02-10-2020 6:26pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

No, they come as two small bolus that are in one plastic capsule...
I just dump the outer plastic capsule...

You're right, OH has just informed of that too about mayo, we've never used them

wrangler · 02-10-2020 6:30pm

We're dipping tomorrow, good weather forecast, hope it's right

Farmer_3650 · 02-10-2020 6:52pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

No, they come as two small bolus that are in one plastic capsule...
I just dump the outer plastic capsule...

I use the mayo healthcare bolus but they are only one capsule.
https://sheepproducts.ie/collections/mineral-vitamins-1/products/allguard-sheep-5-in-1-bolus

I find things improved here very much since I started using them, but I'm sure animax are just as good.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 02-10-2020 6:57pm

DJ98 wrote: »

Was dosing and bolusing ewes here today, when in the race some ewes jumped out before they got there treatment (about 7 in total) and mixed with those that had been done? I marked any ewes that had been done after this happening but if I gather them in again to treat the once missed would I do harm if ended up doing the same ewe twice or would it be best just to leave them be?

I'd be leaving them alone, DJ. Depending on what's in the boluses, there could be a slight chance of overdosing with some minerals.

jd06 · 02-10-2020 7:33pm

Farmer_3650 wrote: »

I use the mayo healthcare bolus but they are only one capsule.
https://sheepproducts.ie/collections/mineral-vitamins-1/products/allguard-sheep-5-in-1-bolus

I find things improved here very much since I started using them, but I'm sure animax are just as good.

I might have said this before
But I had a ewe died3 months after giving hhe bolus. The foxes got to her before I did and the bolus was on the ground in its original state it wasn't worn away or dissolved
I rang mayo health care and got a rep. He said they dont dissolve
So how do they work???
I'm baffeled

General sheep thread

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