Dairy
Teagasc Fodder Survey Update October 2023
National situation stable, but 10% to 15% of farms require corrective action.
25 October 2023
Wet weather grazing practices back in play on Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms
Sandra Hayes, Co-ordinator of the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme, outlines how last week’s heavy rain has affected farmers, bringing about the rapid resumption of wet weather grazing practices.
24 October 2023
Assessing silage quantity and quality
Last week’s rainfall has forced many if not most dairy farmers to house cows on silage. In many cases, grazing will and should continue at least by day for a few weeks more, however conserved forage is now part of the cows’ diet until next spring.
23 October 2023
Successfully implementing selective dry cow therapy
Pablo Silva Bolona, mastitis researcher at Teagasc Moorepark, is on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss his research and recommendations into successfully implementing selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) on farms for the drying off season in 2023.
23 October 2023
How these dairy farmers more than halved chemical nitrogen applications
As part of Signpost Sustainability Month, dairy farmers John and Brendan Walsh detail the evolution in their farming practices in an effort to improve the sustainability of their farm system.
23 October 2023
Evaluation of how chlorine-free cleaning protocols for milking equipment are applied on farms
A requirement for chlorine-free cleaning of milking equipment on-farm has been adopted by milk processors since January 2021. To address this scenario (and to compensate for the removal of chlorine), five new milking machine cleaning protocols have been developed and evaluated at Moorepark.
23 October 2023
How to achieve a greater work-life balance through reduced milking frequency
Dairy farmer Aidan Ahearne joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the practical implementation of 10 in 7 milking frequency on his farm. He outlines the benefits to work-life balance and animal welfare it brings, while also having a minimal impact on milk production.
16 October 2023
Impact of changes to Nitrates Derogation
The EU Commission decision to reduce the upper limit on organic N from 250kg N per ha to 220kg N per ha for Nitrates Derogation farms in designated catchment areas will have significant consequences for many dairy farms in 2024 and beyond.
16 October 2023
Planning for autumn and winter with Shay Ryan
Shay Ryan is a Signpost programme demonstration farmer, farming outside New Ross in Co. Wexford. Shay farms 97 Ha. The milking platform is 56Ha. There is also a small beef enterprise on the farm. Shay is currently milking an average of 180 cows and has 45 replacement heifers.
14 October 2023
Closed period for slurry spreading around the corner
After being extended on two occasions over the last number of weeks, the closed period for the application of slurry will now commence on October 15th 2023.
13 October 2023
Investing in new genetics to improve herd performance
James Dunne, Teagasc Winter Milk Specialist, looks at an option available to farmers this autumn to improve and accelerate the genetic potential of their herds.
10 October 2023
Assess your starting point before committing to ‘panicky’ derogation solutions
With the upper limit of the nitrates derogation to reduce to 220kg of organic nitrogen per hectare from January 1, 2024 for some locations, farmers have been urged to study their own farm’s organic nitrogen figures carefully to see what impact – if any – this change may have on their system.
09 October 2023
The dairy farmers leading sustainability efforts
As part of Sustainability Week, dairy farmers John and Brendan Walsh join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the evolution in their farming practices in an effort to improve the sustainability of the farm system.
09 October 2023
Dairy farm management tips for the autumn ahead
John McCabe, Teagasc-Aurivo Joint Programme, tells us that wet weather, milk price and policy are causing a lot of frustration to dairy farmers but we need to continue to think about improving the running of our systems. John provides some management hints for the autumn ahead and into next year.
08 October 2023
Survey of milking equipment and milking management practices on Irish dairy farm
Alice Walsh, Pablo Silva Bolona and John Upton tell us how recent expansion of dairy herd size has posed challenges with regard to milking times, milking technique and mastitis control strategies.
06 October 2023
Unlocking the potential of heavy soils dairy farms
Improving soil fertility, grazing infrastructure, grazing management and herd genetics are key priorities in the Teagasc Heavy Soils Programme. James Dunne Teagasc Dairy Knowledge Transfer Specialist tells us more.
02 October 2023
Organic Dairying - A conversion experience
Kevin O’Hanlon has seen profits, biodiversity and work-life balance improve. Emissions have been cut by 25% – since converting a Wexford farm to organic dairying. Teagasc Organic Specialist Joe Kelleher and Kevin tell the story
30 September 2023
Sealant of approval
Research at Teagasc is aiming to identify and provide recommendations to farmers on using teat sealant alone at dry-off in uninfected cows. This will help reduce antibiotic use in dairy farms without negative impact on udder health.
28 September 2023
Let's Talk Dairy - Key Messages from the Winter Milk Open Day
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy, James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist is joined by Michael Dineen, Senior Research Officer at Teagasc, to discuss the key messages from the National Winter Milk Open Day.
28 September 2023
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