J.P. Hanrahan & Barbara Good Teagasc, Animal Production Research Centre, Athenry

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

2. Sheep System: Organic farm, Athenry JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008

3. 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

4. Infective larvae JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008

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

6. 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

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

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

9. Breed effects: FEC in Ewes Source: Hanrahan & Crowley, EAAP Proc. 1999 Good et al. 2006 ,Veterinary Parasitology vol 136 JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17. Ewe performance: 2005 to 2007 Proportion of ewes that lamb: 89 % >>> is below target ( 95 %) JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Data on Organic flock Athenry

18. 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 * Hanrahan, 1999. End of Project Report No. 8 JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008

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

20. Lamb growth (g /day): 2005 to 2007 JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Data on Organic flock Athenry

21. Breed effects: weaning weight ( kg) JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008 Data on Organic flock Athenry

22. 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 Nematodiruschallenge • Grazing system – requires a plan based on a 3-year grazing cycle for sheep JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008

23. Summarycont’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 JP Hanrahan & B Good; Dec 2008