The performance of sheep systems is influenced by selecting a breed that is best suited to the land type in which they are run.
This is particularly important in hill sheep systems as maintaining hill ground in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) is central to securing land-based payments.
David and Mary Tourish – along with daughters Danielle, Hannah, Katie and Rosie – farm in Largnalore, Ballybofey, Co Donegal.
David says he has tried almost every breed and has found the Cheviot and Scottish Blackface breeds to be the most suitable for the farm.
Land type is a mixture of improved hill pasture and hill grazing rising to upwards of 2,000ft above sea level.
The two breeds interconnect to good effect and this is clear to be seen with hill grazing in excellent condition.
David says: “Some of the breeds I tried had no interest in grazing that type (hill and mountain) of vegetation and I came back to breeds known for managing hill terrain. The Blackface grazes excellently and covers the entire area, while Cheviots are a good complement to these and produce a better type of lamb to improve the value of lambs produced.”
At the launch of the Donegal Cheviot and Cheviot cross breeding group were members Pat Reid and John Reid, chair James Lorinyenko, Shane McHugh, Teagasc, and David Tourish, host farmer for the launch.
Breeding policy
The Cheviot flock comprises 120 ewes, while the Blackface flock (Perth type) generally comprises 60 to 65 ewes. The Cheviot flock lambs from St Patrick’s Day with Blackface ewes lambing from the end of March to mid-April. The focus on the farm is to try to maximise output in an efficient manner.
In the region of 25 to 30 Cheviot ewes, which are selected on their suitability to perform in the system, are bred pure with the remaining ewes joined with Suffolk rams. This fulfils a breeding focus of producing Suffolk x Cheviot ewe lambs as replacements for lowland flocks. This has worked well for the farm in recent years with repeat custom for ewe lambs.
The Scottish flock is purebred with the farm marketing in the region of 10 to 12 rams annually through the Brockagh Perth Blackfaced Sheep Breeders Association.
Remaining ram lambs are finished on the farm, while surplus ewe lambs are also sold through the group sale.
The flocks are breeding positively with the scanning rate for Cheviots generally in the region of 1.7 to 1.8 lambs per ewe joined (1.76 in 2019) while David says the Scotch flock topped 1.8 lambs scanned in 2019.
Positive performance
David highlights a number of factors he feels helps contribute to this level of output.
“The flock is kept young with no ewes retained over five to six years of age. Aged ewes lose condition on the hill faster and are the ones that end up causing problems.
"Retaining ewes that can look after themselves and produce good lambs is another important factor. You need a ewe with good length and a tight skin to breed nice quality replacements and lambs that will kill-out favourably.”
Suffolk x Cheviot cross ewe lambs and Cheviot ewes. The breeding policy targets sheep with good length and tight skins.
This focus of ensuring ewes are not under excessive stress runs through much of the system. Timely weaning reduces pressure at a time when lambs are relying less and less on ewes.
An early weaning date also gives extra time to give hogget ewes preferential treatment. This is seen as a vital step in making sure hoggets reach their potential.
David feels that creep-feeding lambs also has a role as it improves performance and reduces stress on ewes at a critical stage in lactation.
“The spring can be very challenging here. If ewes and lambs were not looked after, there would be much higher mortality and lost performance with a lot of lambs remaining on farm late into the year.
"Lambs would still require feeding to finish, so it’s a lot cheaper to give it to them when they are young and can convert it better.”
The first Suffolk cross ram lambs were drafted in early to mid June and at that stage had consumed about €5.50 worth of concentrates per lamb.
The majority of these lambs have now been sold and this also frees up grass supplies for horned lambs and ewe lambs.
Group benefits
David is a big supporter of a group ethos and the benefits it can deliver in marketing sheep.
Lambs are traded through the East Donegal Lamb Producer Group, while Scottish sheep are sold through the Brockagh Perth Blackfaced Sheep Breeders Association.
David is welcoming of a new initiative launched last week on his farm, which will see Cheviot and Cheviot cross females offered for sale in greater numbers.
A selection of the Perth-type Scottish ewes and progeny with breeding potential.
“Buyers will travel if they have greater number to select from. The initiative will hopefully attract extra competition, while a group setup also helps to generate more interest and some friendly competition among breeders.”
A closed flock policy is operated with rams being the only animals purchased. Replacement animals receive vaccination for enzootic abortion while a health programme is also in place for liver fluke, worms and external parasites.
Regular cobalt supplementation is also given to lambs, while ewes receive mineral supplementation at key stages.
New breeding venture for Donegal Cheviots
A group of commercial Cheviot and Cheviot cross breeders in Co Donegal will market their sheep in a special breeding sale.
James Lorinyenko, chair of the group, says the group has about 30 members spanning right across the country.
He says organising a sale offers benefits to the group and potential buyers.
“Many group members have had interaction with each other for years but when it came to selling there was no collaboration. The sale will offer the opportunity to generate more demand.
"The people I’ve spoken to at marts often find it hard to get what they are looking for. With what we have to offer and by putting it [the sale] together they can be assured now when they go to the sale, they’ll get a good selection.
"That means a lot and there is big interest building in it.”
Teagasc has a long history of working with groups.
It has been supporting a drive in Donegal to get more hill sheep breeders working together and the establishment of better recording protocols to safeguard breeding programmes and identify superior genetics.
Shane McHugh, Teagasc, says: “Improved breeding has the potential to greatly enhance performance and it has been heartening to see the level of buy in shown to date.”
The sale takes place on 6 September at 6pm in Ballybofey and Stranorlar mart. Approximately 500 to 600 sheep are already confirmed.
These include ewe lambs, hoggets and mature ewes with the main breed type being Cheviot, Suffolk X Cheviot and Cheviot by Scottish Blackface. For more information, call James Lorinyenko at 087-272 5121.
The performance of sheep systems is influenced by selecting a breed that is best suited to the land type in which they are run.
This is particularly important in hill sheep systems as maintaining hill ground in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) is central to securing land-based payments.
David and Mary Tourish – along with daughters Danielle, Hannah, Katie and Rosie – farm in Largnalore, Ballybofey, Co Donegal.
David says he has tried almost every breed and has found the Cheviot and Scottish Blackface breeds to be the most suitable for the farm.
Land type is a mixture of improved hill pasture and hill grazing rising to upwards of 2,000ft above sea level.
The two breeds interconnect to good effect and this is clear to be seen with hill grazing in excellent condition.
David says: “Some of the breeds I tried had no interest in grazing that type (hill and mountain) of vegetation and I came back to breeds known for managing hill terrain. The Blackface grazes excellently and covers the entire area, while Cheviots are a good complement to these and produce a better type of lamb to improve the value of lambs produced.”
At the launch of the Donegal Cheviot and Cheviot cross breeding group were members Pat Reid and John Reid, chair James Lorinyenko, Shane McHugh, Teagasc, and David Tourish, host farmer for the launch.
Breeding policy
The Cheviot flock comprises 120 ewes, while the Blackface flock (Perth type) generally comprises 60 to 65 ewes. The Cheviot flock lambs from St Patrick’s Day with Blackface ewes lambing from the end of March to mid-April. The focus on the farm is to try to maximise output in an efficient manner.
In the region of 25 to 30 Cheviot ewes, which are selected on their suitability to perform in the system, are bred pure with the remaining ewes joined with Suffolk rams. This fulfils a breeding focus of producing Suffolk x Cheviot ewe lambs as replacements for lowland flocks. This has worked well for the farm in recent years with repeat custom for ewe lambs.
The Scottish flock is purebred with the farm marketing in the region of 10 to 12 rams annually through the Brockagh Perth Blackfaced Sheep Breeders Association.
Remaining ram lambs are finished on the farm, while surplus ewe lambs are also sold through the group sale.
The flocks are breeding positively with the scanning rate for Cheviots generally in the region of 1.7 to 1.8 lambs per ewe joined (1.76 in 2019) while David says the Scotch flock topped 1.8 lambs scanned in 2019.
Positive performance
David highlights a number of factors he feels helps contribute to this level of output.
“The flock is kept young with no ewes retained over five to six years of age. Aged ewes lose condition on the hill faster and are the ones that end up causing problems.
"Retaining ewes that can look after themselves and produce good lambs is another important factor. You need a ewe with good length and a tight skin to breed nice quality replacements and lambs that will kill-out favourably.”
Suffolk x Cheviot cross ewe lambs and Cheviot ewes. The breeding policy targets sheep with good length and tight skins.
This focus of ensuring ewes are not under excessive stress runs through much of the system. Timely weaning reduces pressure at a time when lambs are relying less and less on ewes.
An early weaning date also gives extra time to give hogget ewes preferential treatment. This is seen as a vital step in making sure hoggets reach their potential.
David feels that creep-feeding lambs also has a role as it improves performance and reduces stress on ewes at a critical stage in lactation.
“The spring can be very challenging here. If ewes and lambs were not looked after, there would be much higher mortality and lost performance with a lot of lambs remaining on farm late into the year.
"Lambs would still require feeding to finish, so it’s a lot cheaper to give it to them when they are young and can convert it better.”
The first Suffolk cross ram lambs were drafted in early to mid June and at that stage had consumed about €5.50 worth of concentrates per lamb.
The majority of these lambs have now been sold and this also frees up grass supplies for horned lambs and ewe lambs.
Group benefits
David is a big supporter of a group ethos and the benefits it can deliver in marketing sheep.
Lambs are traded through the East Donegal Lamb Producer Group, while Scottish sheep are sold through the Brockagh Perth Blackfaced Sheep Breeders Association.
David is welcoming of a new initiative launched last week on his farm, which will see Cheviot and Cheviot cross females offered for sale in greater numbers.
A selection of the Perth-type Scottish ewes and progeny with breeding potential.
“Buyers will travel if they have greater number to select from. The initiative will hopefully attract extra competition, while a group setup also helps to generate more interest and some friendly competition among breeders.”
A closed flock policy is operated with rams being the only animals purchased. Replacement animals receive vaccination for enzootic abortion while a health programme is also in place for liver fluke, worms and external parasites.
Regular cobalt supplementation is also given to lambs, while ewes receive mineral supplementation at key stages.
New breeding venture for Donegal Cheviots
A group of commercial Cheviot and Cheviot cross breeders in Co Donegal will market their sheep in a special breeding sale.
James Lorinyenko, chair of the group, says the group has about 30 members spanning right across the country.
He says organising a sale offers benefits to the group and potential buyers.
“Many group members have had interaction with each other for years but when it came to selling there was no collaboration. The sale will offer the opportunity to generate more demand.
"The people I’ve spoken to at marts often find it hard to get what they are looking for. With what we have to offer and by putting it [the sale] together they can be assured now when they go to the sale, they’ll get a good selection.
"That means a lot and there is big interest building in it.”
Teagasc has a long history of working with groups.
It has been supporting a drive in Donegal to get more hill sheep breeders working together and the establishment of better recording protocols to safeguard breeding programmes and identify superior genetics.
Shane McHugh, Teagasc, says: “Improved breeding has the potential to greatly enhance performance and it has been heartening to see the level of buy in shown to date.”
The sale takes place on 6 September at 6pm in Ballybofey and Stranorlar mart. Approximately 500 to 600 sheep are already confirmed.
These include ewe lambs, hoggets and mature ewes with the main breed type being Cheviot, Suffolk X Cheviot and Cheviot by Scottish Blackface. For more information, call James Lorinyenko at 087-272 5121.
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