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OviCast

OviCast
Sheep Farming
Grazing Management
Grass Management
Sheep Industry
Grass Growth
Grassland Management
Teagasc
Fertilizer Application
Body Condition Score
Lamb Performance
Lambing
Animal Health
Lamb Mortality
Nutrition Management
Bluetongue Disease
Scanning Results
Flock Performance
Pasture Management
Scald
Grass Growth Rates

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: www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast/

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes316Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentEducation

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Artwork for OviCast

Latest Episodes

Dr. Frank Campion joins us as we discuss lamb performance on the BETTER farms this spring. 

We discuss lamb mortality levels and how they compare with previous years, while also examining strong lamb growth rates seen on farms so far this season.

F... more

YouTube

Grass10 advisor, Nikki Kennedy, joins us to take a look at grazing management priorities for the weeks ahead.

Nikki discusses current grass growth rates, grazing targets and managing farm covers, along with the options around taking out surplus padd... more

YouTube

Teagasc Sheep specialist, Damian Costello, joins us as we run through the key management priorities for sheep farmers in May.

We cover practical advice on grassland management, maintaining lamb performance, and planning ahead for first-cut silage.

more

YouTube

Jake Delaney, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, joins us this week to discuss scald in lambs and why it’s such a common challenge at this stage of the season. 

Jake explains what causes scald, how it affects animal performance and welfare, and why it should ne... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Frank Campion
A researcher/advisor discussing lamb performance and Better Farm data
Teagasc
Episode: How are lambs performing this so far this year?
Chris Maughan
From TP Whelan, expert in weed control and agronomy
TP Whelan
Episode: Weed control on pasture and silage ground
James O'Shaughnessy
Dr. James O'Shaughnessy from the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory
Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Backweston
Episode: Nematodirus Forecast 2026
Orla Keane
Dr.
Episode: Coccidiosis in Lambs
Ajeen Nicadair
Presence noted during discussion
Episode: Coccidiosis in Lambs
Nóirín McHugh
Dr.; genetics expert discussed on sheep production
Not explicitly stated in transcript
Episode: Identifying Potential Replacements: Turning Lambing Data into Genetic Gain
Damian Costello
Guest host stepping in for the episode
Episode: March Management Notes
Eleanor Brady
Ruminant Veterinary Manager
MSD Animal Health
Episode: Clostridial Vaccination Pre-Lambing – Timing, Immunity & Best Practice
Darren Carty
Sheep and schemes expert at the Irish Farmers Journal
Irish Farmers Journal
Episode: Taking Stock: Ewe Numbers, Markets & the Road Ahead for Sheep Farming

Host

Ciaran Lynch
Host of OviCast; Teagasc

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Excellent content and advice

    Excellent content and advise on the various aspects of sheep farming. Keep up the good work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rossies for sam
    Ireland6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Practical, evidence-based sheep farming guidance with real on-farm relevance.
Good coverage of health, nutrition, and pasture topics; some episodes can be dense but valuable for seasoned farmers.
High-quality guests and clear, actionable tips for flock management.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#182
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#51
Ireland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#84
Norway/Government
Apple Podcasts
#233
Sweden/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

May Grass Focus
Q: What are a couple of key priorities for silage and planning ahead for the year?
Priorities include opening with sensible grass covers (1200-1400 kg DM/ha) to maintain quality, planning for early cuts to secure a good first cut, and ensuring silage budgeting and fertilizer timing are aligned with potential weather windows to avoid quality loss and support a strong second cut.
May Grass Focus
Q: Can you give a quick snapshot of what we're seeing around the country in terms of growth rate or coverage and how farmers can start it off for most?
There is a lot of variation; averages show substantial growth and cover across dry stock farms, with many farms 9-16 days ahead of forward planning, while others have grass and decisions to make about taking out paddocks; the key is to assess local conditions, rainfall, and fertiliser application and adjust grazing and silage plans accordingly.
Don’t Be on the Hind Foot When Tackling Scald
Q: Would you maybe just explain a little bit about what scald actually is and how it occurs?
Scald is an inflammation between the toes caused by bacteria entering through an abrasion in wet or lush pastures; it starts as a simple lesion and can progress rapidly if not treated, with visible redness and sometimes grey-yellow discharge.
Identifying Potential Replacements: Turning Lambing Data into Genetic Gain
Q: So how much of lambing difficulty is due to genetics versus environment, and how do you disentangle that in practice?
Lambing difficulty has multiple components—the lamb itself and the dam—with genetics accounting for a portion of both; by collecting large-scale records and using genetic indices, we disentangle environmental and management effects to identify true genetic signals.
Identifying Potential Replacements: Turning Lambing Data into Genetic Gain
Q: Would you explain that a little bit more to us? Like we talk about terms like heritability and genetic improvement. Do we just maybe explain that in basic terms, what that means?
Heritability measures how much of the variation in a trait across animals is due to genetic differences, meaning higher heritability traits respond more to genetic selection, while lower heritability traits require more data and records to improve.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About OviCast

What is OviCast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show delivers practical, field-tested sheep farming guidance with a technical bent. Across episodes, listeners hear in-depth discussions on grazing management, pasture planning, lambing season tactics, parasite control, vaccination, and herd health—often featuring Teagasc experts, veterinarians, and industry researchers. The format frequently centers on timely, actionable steps for flock productivity and cost management, with emphasis on real-world budgeting, disease prevention, and data-driven decisions. A notable strength is its ability to translate complex science into accessible, on-farm practices, making it valuable for producers seeking concrete improvements and for professionals scouting expert guests or sponsorship opportunitie... more

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Which podcasts are similar to OviCast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with OviCast:

1. FED by Farmers Podcast
2. The Beef Edge
3. The High Performance Podcast
4. The Farmers Weekly Podcast
5. Indo Sport

How many episodes of OviCast are there?

OviCast launched 7 years ago and published 316 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact OviCast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for OviCast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on OviCast?

Recent guests on OviCast include:

1. Frank Campion
2. Chris Maughan
3. James O'Shaughnessy
4. Orla Keane
5. Ajeen Nicadair
6. Nóirín McHugh
7. Damian Costello
8. Eleanor Brady

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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