JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 J.P. Hanrahan & Barbara Good Teagasc, Animal Production Research Centre, Athenry Organic sheep system Grazing management, breeding policy and parasite control

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Sheep System: Organic farm, Athenry Flock Size 120 ewes 30 replacements Lambing date Stocking rate Late Feb to mid March ~ 10 ewes / ha Grazing System Ewes and lambs put pasture post lambing on paddocks not grazed by sheep in previous year Winter period Housed, silage, meals G.I. Parasites Regular monitoring of parasite infection using DIY system (FECPAK © )

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Grazing system Different land block each year -which has meant that basic sward quality differed substantially between years Paddock system with 5 paddocks for ewes + lambs Replacements – set stocked from turnout in spring After weaning (June) ewe flock is used to clean up paddocks; lambs given priority Silage area- aim is to cut as early as possible so that regrowth is available for lambs post weaning

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Infective larvae

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 FEC = No. of eggs per gram of faeces

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Breeding Policy Use breeds that have inherent resistance to gastrointestinal parasites Increase ewe productivity and produce leaner lambs Original ewe flock being upgraded to Belclare Slaughter lamb - sired by Texel

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 FEC (eggs/g) in lambs: Research flocks, Teagasc, Athenry Breed14 weeks Nem. Other 17 weeks Nem. Other Suffolk Texel Nem. = Nematodirus; Other = Other Trichostrongyles Source: Good, Hanrahan, Crowley & Mulcahy, 2006,Veterinary Parasitology vol 136

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 effects: ewe lambs Breed effects: ewe lambs Ewe lambs in September… natural infection Source: Hanrahan & Crowley, EAAP Proc. 1999

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Breed effects: FEC in Ewes Source: Hanrahan & Crowley, EAAP Proc Good et al. 2006,Veterinary Parasitology vol 136

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Organic flock Athenry--- lambing season 2008

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Ram FEC data - flocks at Athenry, 2002 and 2003 Purchasing ? Avoid importing anthelmintic resistance

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Grazing management & parasites Minimise challenge to lambs from infective larvae

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Other Trichostrongyles: Ewes Data on Organic flock Athenry

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Other Trichostrongyles: Lambs Data on Organic flock Athenry

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Nematodirus infection: lambs Data on Organic flock Athenry

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Flock performance 2005 to 2007

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Ewe performance: Ewe performance: 2005 to 2007 Year No. of ewes Lambs reared per ewe JoinedLambedjoined Proportion of ewes that lamb: 89 % >>> is below target ( 95 %) Data on Organic flock Athenry

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Lamb growth targets Achieve the growth targets* set for conventional well-managed lowland systems Growth rate (g/day) targets: Aim for good clover swards in summer/autumn period SinglesTwins Birth to weaning June / July210 July / August190 * Hanrahan, End of Project Report No. 8

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Birth weight (kg) Year Singles Twins Triplets Ratio Twin:Singles = 0.81 Should be = 0.85 Data on Organic flock Athenry

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Lamb growth (g /day): Lamb growth (g /day): 2005 to 2007 YearBirth type G_05G_514G_014Post weaning 2005Single Twin Single Twin Single Twin Data on Organic flock Athenry

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Breed effects: weaning weight ( kg) Sire breed Year Texel Belclare Data on Organic flock Athenry

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Summary Main challenge -- gastrointestinal parasites Breeding policy should focus on breed types that have high resistance to parasites Two season break from lambs & calves to avoid Nematodirus challenge Grazing system – requires a plan based on a 3-year grazing cycle for sheep

JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Summary Summary cont’d Treat ewes pre turnout onto new season’s grazing area --- minimise build up of larval challenge for lambs Quarantine policy for rams - essential Efficacy of any anthelmintic treatment should be checked Pregnancy nutrition – important to ensure good lamb birth weight for all birth types