Temporary grazing agreements

The requirement to notify the Department of Agriculture of temporary movements depends on the type of farm sheep are moving to and whether there are livestock present. Where sheep are moving to a farm with no livestock present, they can do so without notifying the Department of the movement. A similar situation regularly occurs where sheep are moved to an outfarm or separate parcel of lands to where livestock are held. In this case, sheep can be moved to a parcel or outfarm block without notifying the Department provided there are no livestock on any part of the land sheep are being moved to.

If sheep are moving to a holding where livestock are present, then the Department must be notified. Unlike a permanent farm-to-farm movement, the onus lies on the owner of the sheep to notify the Department as there is no change of ownership with the movement. The Department can be notified by simply completing the dispatch document and sending the pink copy to your local district veterinary office. When sheep return from temporary grazing, notification can be completed by sending the white copy of the dispatch document clearly marked “return from temporary grazing”.

Costs reported for temporary grazing agreements vary significantly. Some farmers are glad to get paddocks grazed, do not want the hassle of purchasing lambs and are charging a negligible rate. Typical rates reported range anywhere from 50c/ewe per week to €1/ewe with factors such as the length of grazing available, fencing required and if supervision is provided all influencing costs. One of the most important considerations is clear agreements set out at the outset.

Temporary grazing agreements take into account a number of factors and it is advisable to agree these at the outset.

Clean livestock policy

This week’s sheep feature is an article from the Department of Agriculture outlining the Clean Livestock Policy. It does not go into management or remedial action required for category C lambs. Going on last year’s experience, the greatest issue is with lambs presented wet with many category B lambs at a greater risk of slipping into category C when fleeces are wet. Factory advice encourages farmers to deliver lambs with dry fleeces where possible and without dirty tail ends.

The other important aspect that becomes more of an issue with difficult ground conditions or housed lambs is a soiled fleece on the belly and neck region. Where remedial action is being taken, it is important that crutched or clipped lambs have the region from the neck to the tail addressed as this is where the incision line will be. For long-wool breeds with a soiled fleece, lambs in category C may need to be shorn completely with Department vets rejecting lambs last winter/spring due to a risk of contamination from wool hanging down over cut lines.

Liver fluke forecast

The Department of Agriculture also released its liver fluke forecast on Wednesday. It stated: “Due to the dry weather conditions experienced in many parts of the country this summer, there is a moderate risk of liver fluke-related disease this winter for the north, west, southwest and midlands, with a lower disease risk expected for the east and parts of the south. However, farmers in these lower risk areas should still remain vigilant for signs of disease.”