Dairy
Key requirements for calf sheds on dairy farms
Although the start of the spring-calving season is months away, farmers have an opportunity now to make adaptions to their calf sheds that will benefit calf health and performance next spring.
25 September 2023
The options available to farmers impacted by the nitrates derogation reduction
With the recent announcement to the changes in the upper derogation limit from 250 to 220kg of organic nitrogen per hectare, this week's Dairy Edge podcast focuses on the options available to farmers impacted.
25 September 2023
Beef AI usage on dairy herds up 22%
More beef AI has been used on dairy herds over the first six months of 2023, recently published figures from the ICBF have shown.
25 September 2023
Dairy farmers select their top five time savers
Dairy farmers were asked to select their top five time savers at the Moorepark Open Day, Marion Beecher, Bernadette O’Brien and Conor Hogan tell us more.
23 September 2023
Seven-day extension to slurry spreading period
A one-week extension for the application of slurry has been granted, with the closed period for slurry spreading now commencing on October 8 rather than September 30, 2023.
22 September 2023
Milking 10 times per week - could it work for you?
Milking is the most labour demanding task on Irish dairy farms and sets the structure of the working day. Altering milking frequency could provide more flexibility for farmers and allow for a better work/life balance, potentially making dairy farms more attractive workplaces.
18 September 2023
How to maximise the nutrient uptake and productivity from slurry on your farm
With the deadline for slurry spreading fast approaching, Mark Plunkett joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge podcast with his tips and advice to maximise the nutrient uptake and productivity from slurry on farm.
18 September 2023
Let's Talk Dairy - Tools to keep grass in the diet longer this autumn
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy, James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist is joined by Ciaran Hearn, PastureBase Ireland to discuss the tools to keep grass in the diet longer this autumn.
16 September 2023
Minister Heydon launches farm Vehicle Safety and Blind Spots Video
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Mr Martin Heydon TD, launched a video ‘Farm Vehicle Safety and Blind Spots’ in Teagasc, Athenry yesterday.
15 September 2023
High fertility, milk solids and positive for milk - Johnstown Castle’s route to functional cows
Strict breeding policies are delivering for the Teagasc winter-milk herd in Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. Consisting of 90 autumn-calving cows, the herd has delivered 7,500kg of milk and 600kg of milk solids per cow over the past five years.
15 September 2023
Promising results from methane reducing feed additive in Irish winter-milk system
A research trial undertaken at the Teagasc Johnstown Castle Dairy Unit over the winter of 2022/2023 has generated promising results following the inclusion of 3-NOP, a methane reducing feed additive, in the diets of Irish winter-milk cows.
13 September 2023
Grassland Farmer of the Year to host farm walk
Diarmuid Fitzgerald, the Young Farmer and Overall Grassland Farmer of the Year 2022, will host a walk on Thursday, September 14th.
12 September 2023
Let's Talk Dairy - Labour efficiencies on farm
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy, James Dunne is joined by Martina Gormley, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, to discuss labour requirements and efficiencies on farm.
12 September 2023
'Save the Dates’ – Upcoming Teagasc Events
Teagasc has a wide variety of events & conferences taking place this autumn. These range from our presence at the National Ploughing Championships to the Poultry Broiler Conference, College Open Days & the popular Transferring the Family Farm Clinics.
12 September 2023
Examining the costs of winter milk production
The cost of keeping a cow under a winter milk production system has risen significantly since the end of 2021 and farmers engaged in such a system must control costs carefully, those attending the National Winter Milk Open Day in Teagasc Johnstown Castle heard.
11 September 2023
Key learnings from farm visits for the Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition
John Maher and John O’Loughlin from the Teagasc Grass10 Campaign join Emma-Louise Coffey on the latest Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the key learnings from farm visits for Grass10 competition applicants.
11 September 2023
Time to act if you have underweight dairy replacement heifers
On many dairy farms, replacement heifers fail to reach target weights. The time between birth to first calving makes it very difficult for farmers to recognise the impact that their replacement strategies have on farm production and performance.
11 September 2023
TB hasn't gone away - it's on the rise again
With TB on the rise nationally, have we taken our eye off the ball in stopping the spread of this devastating infectious disease?
10 September 2023
Signpost Series - Hedge planting and management
On this episode of the Signpost Series, Dr. Tom O'Dwyer, Teagasc Head of Signpost Programme, is joined by Dr. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, to discuss hedge planting and management.
08 September 2023
Supporting farmers to deliver sustainable food systems
The appetite at farm level is strong to deliver a sustainable future food system and farmers are taking ownership and looking for solutions, according to Dr. Stan Lalor, Director of Knowledge Transfer with Teagasc.
08 September 2023
Commission rules out re-visiting Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation decision
The European Commission has ruled out re-visiting Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation decision. Ireland’s current derogation is due to expire on 1st January 2026, and the derogation limit is due to reduce to 220kg/ha from 250kg/ha on 1st January 2024 in certain areas.
06 September 2023
Extend your grazing season by building autumn grass reserves
Although it is only early September, thoughts are turning to autumn and potentially housing cows. Michael Donoghue, B&T Dairy Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, highlights three things that will determine when cows will be housed on your farm. These are: (1) weather; (2) soil type; and (3) grass supply.
06 September 2023
Keep thermoduric bacteria counts under control this autumn
Joe Patton, Teagasc Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, offers advice on controlling thermoduric bacteria counts. Thermoduric bacteria are those that survive the pasteurisation process.
04 September 2023
Let's Talk Dairy - managing costs and cashflow
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy, James Dunne is joined by Patrick Gowing to give an overview of costs, costs of production and managing cashflow for the remainder of 2023 and into early 2024.
04 September 2023
Futureproofing winter milk systems key focus of Johnstown Castle event
An upcoming event at Teagasc Johnstown Castle will provide an opportunity to learn about the Teagasc winter milk research programme.
04 September 2023
Assessing clover content on a Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm
Sandra Hayes, co-ordinator of the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme, outlines the progress Shay Ryan has made on establishing clover on his farm near New Ross, Co. Wexford, in the most recent Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Update.
03 September 2023
Irish grass-fed cows produce more nutritious milk
Irish grass-fed milk contains more beneficial nutrients than milk from conventional indoor-feeding practices.
01 September 2023
Farmyard development – plan carefully
This time of year is often where plans are put into place for farmyard development. The upcoming winter and following spring are coming back into mind.
28 August 2023
Do perennial ryegrass swards persist on commercial grassland farms?
Maximising pasture intake of dairy cows is a key factor in determining profitability on Irish dairy farms. This is due to the low cost of producing pastures in Ireland where the most expensive aspect of pasture production is often reseeding, which is most recently estimated at €1,100/ha by Teagasc.
22 August 2023
Calculating the breakeven milk price
In any downturn on milk price, some farms may experience cash flow difficulties. In this article, Patrick Gowing explains why it is important for each farm to establish the impact of low milk prices on their farm.
21 August 2023