With lambing underway in some farms and not far around the corner in others, it’s time to think about preparation and ensuring you are ready for the mammoth task ahead. Lambing season is one of the most stressful and exhausting times of the year for Irish sheep farmers. The lack of sleep and intense workload combine to put a lot of pressure on the entire household. It’s a vital part of the economic year and it’s puts extra demands on farmers and on Irish farm households until all lambs are born and safely frolicking happily in spring fields. Having good support networks are vital at this time. Supporting family, good neighbours, understanding vets, and the right equipment for the job can ease the burden of lambing time and ensure a more profitable and enjoyable season. Here at Gibsonsonline we stock a wide range of lambing equipment at great prices that can be delivered right to your door.

Stock up on Supplies:

Having the right tools to work with in the farmyard will always go a long way to making the job easier and reducing the stress of the lambing season. Whether you need nursing bottles, castration rings or the right gloves for the job, we have it all for you at Gibson Farm Services. Take a few minutes to browse the range of products on hand and order in advance, so you are more than ready for the busy time ahead. It is wise to stock up on colostrum. Of course, mothers’ milk is always best, but you will be happy to have some on hand if you need it. A weak lamb that has a tummy full of colostrum is more likely to recover and thrive than one without it. Another essential piece of equipment is a good, easy to use Lamb Resuscitator. This will pay for itself in its first successful use. We stock an award-winning hand-held device which is used to clean the respiratory passages and pump air into the lungs of struggling new-born animals. Designed to be used by farmers themselves when a new-born lamb finds it hard to breathe, it comes with a carry bag, 2 masks and a pump. Its a life saving device and an essential item to have in any lambing shed. Remember to check stocks of other medical essentials and for the basic needs of lubricant, iodine solution, ropes, prolapse retainers, needles and syringes.

Sheep tags:

Tagging might not be immediately on your radar as you bring your newest flock members into the world. But if you are planning any movement of lambs or sheep, you will need to have the tagging completed. Gibson Farm Services are an Approved Tag Supplier using the NSI(NSIS &NGIS Tag List as recommended by the Department of Agriculture. You will find all you need for sheep tagging, at a competitive price on our website. The Department of Agriculture state that ‘All sheep must be identified electronically by 9 months of age or on leaving the holding of birth, whichever is the earlier date. Lambs aged under 12 months moving directly from the holding of origin to a slaughter premises may be tagged with a minimum of a single electronic tag placed in the animal’s right ear.’ We have Z tag slaughter tags, button tags and tagger applicators to make the job as painless as possible for you both. Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery of tags. The tags are suitable for farm sales, breeding sheep and mart sales.

Look after yourself during lambing times:

In all the effort to look after your flock and see the new ones into the world, do to forget to look after yourself. It’s a physically demanding time and the weather in Ireland may not smile on your endeavours. Ask for help if you need it. An extra pair of hands will make all the difference when sleep deprivation kicks in. Warm waterproof clothing, healthy food and plenty of hot drinks will keep the spirits. Fill your pockets with chocolate, jelly sweets or a healthy muesli bar for when the going gets tough. A few cooked meals in the freezer or popped into a slow cooker will be more than welcome on a cold busy day. Lambing season is intense hard work but with preparation, determination and good luck, it can be rewarding and profitable too.

Have a wonderful lambing season from all of us here at Gibsons Online.