Like many hardworking folk in the agricultural sector, Shane Conway balances two jobs – working as a sheep farmer as well as a full time sales representative. The ANIMAX Tracesure Sheep with copper bolus is playing a key part in that balancing act.
Opting for this two-fold career provides Shane with full-time access to a range of new knowledge and ideas that he’s able to implement on his own farm. Given the fact that Shane is not on the farm full-time, his decisions have to revolve around time-efficient productivity.
Based in County Mayo, Shane is involved in the running of two farms. The original home farm has been in the family for three generations and consists of a 100 acres and buildings used to contract rear dairy heifers. Shane also runs his own rented farm consisting of mixed hill and lowland spread over 175 acres. This farm is used to run his flock of 100 crossbred ewes, crossbred hill ewes, and Lanark hill ewes.
Shane gives us a glimpse into his system
At the age of 28, Shane’s career accomplishments are no mean feat and have not tempered his future ambitions.
“I started my career studying for a degree in agriculture and environmental science. I had a hands-on approach to learning about different sustainable farming practices. It wasn’t long after graduating and taking on a full time role with TAMA UK, that I took on the rented farm; maybe about 6 or 7 years ago. Looking forward, I’d like to take on the home farm to expand his flock numbers through stocking intensively on the free-draining soil there, while also keeping the cattle going,” explains Shane.
“Our sheep are grazed most of the year, but we run them into to the home farm to lamb indoors for two weeks before and after lambing in March. Every week I’d be running some in and taking some out. This gives lambs a day or two to get a good suck of milk,” adds Shane.
“I scan ewes in January and divide into groups; twin ewes are put on stronger grass than the singles and fed on a ewe pellet for 5 or 6 weeks pre-lambing. All ewes are fed through the first four weeks post-lambing to make sure they have enough milk”.
Tupping better, lambing better
“I met Flor from ANIMAX at an open day several years ago. He also runs his own flock of sheep alongside working, so really knew what he was on about and what I needed. I started off bolusing half the flock to see if there was a difference with the added expense. Lambs from bolused ewes were way more vigorous after being born and inclined to suck quicker. Generally, both the lamb and ewe were healthier,” explains Shane.
“We now bolus everything twice a year. Once in late July to early August ahead of tupping, and then again in January/February to top them up. I also mineral drench the ewes two weeks before letting the ram in to give them a boost,” says Shane. “Come lambing, they have a good bag of milk, and I find that the copper bolus stops lazy lambing”.
“My dad works full time too, so time can be a real issue for us. The labour aspect is huge – once bolusing is done, you have a six month cover. Compared to drenching every month, you’re definitely saving time. It’s a comfort zone for me to know they have a safe and consistent supply of all the minerals they need – cobalt, selenium, copper, iodine”.
“About two years ago the local store had run out of ANIMAX Tracesure boluses, so I used the next one on the shelf on a few hoggarts that I bought-in. The ewes already bolused with Tracesure lambed with less problems and went on to have less problems getting the lambs to suck”.
Teasing at tupping
“The last few years I have started to tease the ewes. I let out a ram for 14 days before tupping for 3 days, and I found it makes a good job for compact lambing. Last year I would have had 80% of flock lamb in 23/24 days”.
“Sustainability is the buzz word in every industry and I’m keen to maintain wild habitats and nature reserves. So I have committed to a scheme that means limiting grazing on certain areas at certain times. This helps to promote natural vegetation can occur and to support ground nesting birds are breeding. I’m also in the Sheep Welfare Scheme, whereby the mineral supplementation category covers the cost of ANIMAX Tracesure Sheep with copper bolus,” concludes Shane.
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