Research has shown that mixed grazing of cattle and sheep provides significant benefits with a potential lift in animal performance of up to 10% and scope to increase the farm’s stocking rate by up to 7% without significantly affecting input requirements.

This stems primarily from improved grass utilisation due to the different grazing behaviours of cattle and sheep combining favourably. For example, sheep will graze pasture that cattle will not, such as grazing closer to dung pats, and also have merits in terms of tighter grazing promoting a thicker sward.

Another element which the sheep system will hopefully bring to Tullamore Farm is more even cashflow throughout the year with a higher number of sales. This will hopefully help to alleviate some of the pressures of maintaining a positive bank balance in a farming system where there are only one or two main sale dates.

Sheep system

For the system to work, it has to combine positively with the suckler and beef enterprises in terms of best matching the farm’s labour availability and also the farm’s grass growth pattern. Suckler cows will calve in early spring with ewes lambing in a late mid-season system starting after mid-March.

The system will be kept as straightforward as possible with replacements purchased and all progeny sold off the farm. It is planned to utilise the ability of hill flocks to breed maternal replacements and in doing so combine hill and lowland sheep enterprises to good effect.

Mule ewes will be purchased at the outset with an emphasis on achieving a medium to high litter size. This, along with operating at a high stocking rate, is a critical component of the farm generating sufficient output to cover production costs and return a profit.

Key elements

The farm’s boundary will be fenced with sheep wire with strategic sheep wire fencing also located internally in the three grazing blocks. Outside of this, maximum use will be made where possible in utilising temporary electric fencing to reduce farm infrastructure costs.

There is also an emphasis on keeping labour to a minimum and utilising casual labour when required to overcome busy time periods or tasks. As such, investment will be made through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) in handling equipment that will reduce labour input and promote regular handling and easier administration of health treatments.

The system will be reviewed periodically and changes will be implemented that will improve the working or the enterprise.

System overview

Grazing system

Mixed grazing.

Stocking rate

High (11 to 12 ewes/ha).

Lambing date

Mid-to-end March/April.

Ewe type

Hill cross maternal replacements.

Litter size

Aim of 1.9 to two lambs per ewe joined.