Dairy Events
Breeding Week 2025
Monday, 24th - Tuesday, 1st April
The breeding season on Irish dairy farms has become increasingly concentrated in the late April to June period. The purpose of Breeding Week, which takes place from Monday, 24th March - Tuesday, 1st April, is to provide timely reminders to farmers on important genetic and technical issues underpinning a successful dairy breeding season.
Get more information on breeding and genetics here
See details of the events taking place throughout the week below
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Tuesday, 1st April
Monday, 24th March
Podcast
The Dairy Edge Podcast
presented by Stuart Childs and James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialists
Sean Coughlan, CEO of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss Irish dairy, dairy beef breeding and everything in between.
Sean discusses the National Genotyping Programme, the changes that they have made to improve for 2025 and how they have even more herds taken into the programme and will be looking to recruit more later on this year with the long term view to have a fully genotyped national herd in the future.
Listen to The Dairy Edge Podcast here
Teagasc Daily Article
Maximising Beef without Compromising on Calving
Beef from the dairy herd makes up nearly 66% of the national kill in Ireland. This proportion will likely increase in the future. Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, and Dan O’Riordan, ICBF, explain how farmers can balance easy calving with strong beef traits, getting the best of both worlds. Read the article here
Tuesday, 25th March
Realising the Genetic Potential of Your Herd - Mart Events
A series of Mart Events are taking place throughout Breeding Week, in association the Dairy Co-ops.
Topics to be discussed at the events include:
- Maximising your genetic potential and getting the most from your genetics (Farmer Speakers)
- Practical Advice for successful use of sexed semen
- Understanding DBI (Dairy Beef Index) and CBV (Commercial Beef Value)
See venues and times below
Cork | 11am - 1pm
Cork Marts, Macroom, Co. Cork
in conjunction with Munster Bovine and Dairygold
Kerry | 11am - 1pm
Listowel Mart, Listowel, Co. Kerry
in conjunction with Munster Bovine and Kerry
Waterford | 11am - 1pm
Cork Marts, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
in conjunction with Tirlán
Breeding on Farm Workshop
Monaghan | 11:30am
On the farm of Niall & Anthony Cadden, Gransha, Clones, Co. Monaghan. Eircode: H23 HF64
in conjunction with Lakeland Dairies
Topics to be discussed include:
- Cow Body Condition Score (BCS) – increase submission rates and conception rates with correct BCS.
- Cow Selection – accelerate your herd’s genetic gains through cow selection.
- Dairy Beef Index (DBI) – Maximise calf quality with the use of the DBI index.
- Sire Selection – Understanding and selecting for the traits your herd requires.
Wednesday, 26th March
Realising the Genetic Potential of Your Herd - Mart Events
A series of Mart Events are taking place throughout Breeding Week, in association the Dairy Co-ops.
Topics to be discussed at the events include:
- Maximising your genetic potential and getting the most from your genetics (Farmer Speakers)
- Practical Advice for successful use of sexed semen
- Understanding DBI (Dairy Beef Index) and CBV (Commercial Beef Value)
See venues and times below
Kilkenny | 11am - 1pm
Kilkenny Mart, Cillín Hill, Kilkenny
in conjunction with Tirlán
Donegal | 11:30am
Raphoe Mart, Raphoe, Co. Donegal
in conjunction with Aurivo
Teagasc Daily Article
Ensuring the best performance from synchronisation programmes
Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, Stuart Childs takes a closer look at synchronisation programmes and offers tips on how to ensure maximum performance. Read the article here
Thursday, 27th March
Realising the Genetic Potential of Your Herd - Mart Event
A series of Mart Events are taking place throughout Breeding Week, in association the Dairy Co-ops.
Topics to be discussed at the event include:
- Maximising your genetic potential and getting the most from your genetics (Farmer Speakers)
- Practical Advice for successful use of sexed semen
- Understanding DBI (Dairy Beef Index) and CBV (Commercial Beef Value)
See venue and time below
Cork | 11am - 1pm
Corrin Mart, Fermoy, Co. Cork
in conjunction with Munster Bovine and Dairygold
Breeding on Farm Workshop
Westmeath | 11:30am
On the farm of Derek Ray, Rosemount, Moate, Co. Westmeath. Eircode: N37 P2W5.
in conjunction with Lakeland Dairies
Topics to be discussed include:
- Cow Body Condition Score (BCS) – increase submission rates and conception rates with correct BCS.
- Cow Selection – accelerate your herd’s genetic gains through cow selection.
- Dairy Beef Index (DBI) – Maximise calf quality with the use of the DBI index.
- Sire Selection – Understanding and selecting for the traits your herd requires.
Realising the Genetic Potential of Your Herd - Webinar
The Teagasc Wicklow/ Carlow/ Wexford Advisory Region is hosting a Realising the Genetic Potential of Your Herd webinar on Thursday, 27 March from 12pm - 1pm.
Topics and speakers include:
- Cow Selection: accelerate your herd’s genetic gains through cow selection
Paul Keogh, Teagasc Advisor - Sire Selection: Understanding and selecting for the traits your herd requires & using the Dairy Beef Index (DBI)
Kay O’Connell, Teagasc Advisor - Practical Advice for successful use of sexed semen
Joris Somers, Tirlán - Maximising your genetic potential and getting the most from your genetics
Donal Murphy, Ferns Dairy Farmer and Martin Doyle, Teagasc Advisor
Friday, 28th March
Realising the Genetic Potential of Your Herd - Mart Event
A series of Mart Events are taking place throughout Breeding Week, in association the Dairy Co-ops.
Topics to be discussed at the event include:
- Maximising your genetic potential and getting the most from your genetics (Farmer Speakers)
- Practical Advice for successful use of sexed semen
- Understanding DBI (Dairy Beef Index) and CBV (Commercial Beef Value)
See venue and time below
Meath | 11am - 1pm
Teagasc, Grange, Co. Meath
in conjunction with Tirlán
Tuesday, 1st April
Realising the Genetic Potential of Your Herd - Mart Event
A series of Mart Events are taking place throughout Breeding Week, in association the Dairy Co-ops.
Topics to be discussed at the event include:
- Maximising your genetic potential and getting the most from your genetics (Farmer Speakers)
- Practical Advice for successful use of sexed semen
- Understanding DBI (Dairy Beef Index) and CBV (Commercial Beef Value)
See venue and time below
Mayo | 7:30pm
Balla Mart, Carrowntober Oughter, Co. Mayo
in conjunction with Aurivo