Experts consider the merits of tyfon for sheep

At the recent sheep farm walk in Ballyhaise, Willie Byrne college lecturer outlined the growing of tyfon as a crop to fatten lambs for the July period. Unlike kale or rape, which are grazed over the winter, tyfon is specifically for fattening lambs to get them to market faster. In Ballyhaise, the Tyfon was sown with grass seed but it could be sown on its own if necessary. The crop will provide several grazings for the lambs. Michael McHugh, Teagasc sheep specialist, explained the workings of the sheep unit. The unit is 10 ha in size with 110 ewes, or 11 ewe per ha, grazed rotationally across the unit. Michael demonstrated how to get the best use out of grazing covers that are not too heavy. John Boylan, TP Whelehan, described the various weed sprays that his company carry for weed control in grassland. In all cases, it is important to get the weeds when they are relatively small, rather than when they are too big and mature to be effectively killed. Roslyn McQuaid, Teagasc drystock advisor based in Ballyhaise, indicated which fields had been sprayed with the various products. Roslyn was the chief organiser of the evening and she was very pleased with the large turnout.