Dairy
Looking for pastures NUE
Researchers from Teagasc, University College Cork and University College Dublin have come together to reduce the output of ammonia, nitrous oxide and nitrate emissions from grazing dairy cows.
05 February 2023
Caution advised as soil fertility levels remain stable in 2022
A recent review of the 2022 soil test results show that for the second year running the number of soil samples taken across Ireland has increased. The largest increase in soil sample numbers was on drystock farms, which increased by 19% in 2022.
03 February 2023
Age at slaughter and in spec traits added to DBI
Additional measures – including a carbon sub-index, age of slaughter and an in spec composite trait – have been added to the DairyBeef Index (DBI) as part of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s latest evaluation of the beef breeding tool for dairy farmers.
03 February 2023
‘Our ultimate aim is to try and breed the best beef animals that we can’
Calf quality is often mooted as a reason for the high attrition rates of dairy-beef producers nationally, with just 39% of those engaged in this system in year one doing so at the end of year five.
03 February 2023
Grass 10 Featured Farmer: Joe and Michael Murphy
Joe and Michael Murphy milk spring-calving cows on free-draining land in Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny. They provided an update on their grazing management in this week’s edition of the Grass 10 newsletter.
02 February 2023
September deadline for derogation water quality review
The Nitrates Derogation, the means by which some Irish farmers can surpass a 170kg/ha limit of organic nitrogen on their grassland area, will be reviewed in 2023.
01 February 2023
Eight week window for Nitrates Derogation applications
Farmers availing of the Nitrates Derogation for 2023 have until March 31 to do so, with the application process now available through the Department of Agriculture’s Agfood.ie portal.
31 January 2023
Let's Talk Dairy - Housing guidelines for young calves
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 19th January 2023, George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist was joined by Patrick Gowing, Teagasc Dairy Specialist to discuss housing guidelines for young calves
30 January 2023
What will the National Fertiliser Database mean for farmers?
A National Fertiliser Database is in the process of being established by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), with legislation for its creation currently going through the Oireachtas.
30 January 2023
Opportunity to ‘flick a switch’ and create new approach to dairy beef breeding
An opportunity exists to improve the quality of beef being produced from the dairy herd, but it’s going to take buy in from dairy farmers nationally.
28 January 2023
Solving the mystery about grass-clover swards
Over the last year, discussion has emerged around the adoption of new grassland management practices that have the potential to improve farm performance.
27 January 2023
6 key changes to nitrates regulations for 2023
The Nitrates Action Programme – the means by which the Nitrates Directive is delivered in Ireland – has undergone a number of changes, with stronger measures introduced for the protection of water quality.
26 January 2023
Using slurry to grow grass in 2023
Using slurry efficiently in 2023 will be essential in controlling input costs on Irish farms.
26 January 2023
Grass 10 Featured Farmer - the Clune family
The Clune family commenced the grazing year last Sunday when 30 cows went to grass under on-off grazing, with an aim of halving 40% of the farm grazed by March 1st.
25 January 2023
Labour saving this spring
The workload in spring makes up over one-third of the total hours needed to run a farm per year.
24 January 2023
Fertiliser spreader calibration: getting ready for the coming season
Teagasc, in association with Carberry, organised a number of events on fertiliser spreader setup and calibration in West Cork recently.
24 January 2023
Dairy production costs and projections 2022-2023
The average unit cost of producing milk has increased since the abolition of quotas. The rate of increase in costs from 2015 to 2017 was 1.9% per year.
23 January 2023
A Game Changer for Calf Gut Health?
For the second part of the interview with Tommy the Vet, Stuart talks to Tommy about Precision Microbes, a complementary feed for calves that he thinks is going to be game changing for calf gut health.
23 January 2023
Teagasc Grass10 Grazing Courses Recommended By 99% Of Farmers!
99% of farmers surveyed in Teagasc Grass10 Grazing Courses said they would recommend it to another farmer.
23 January 2023
Let's Talk Dairy - Managing scouring calves
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy, George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist was joined by Catherine McAloon, Vet in UCD's Herd Health Group to discuss scouring calves.
23 January 2023
How to investigate an outbreak of abomasal bloat in dairy calves
Abomasal disorders (bloat, twists, infections and ulcers) are a common problem in primarily unweaned dairy calves. While each problem (e.g. bloat) may occur independently, they are inter-related ailments and they may also be misdiagnosed.
22 January 2023
Excellent calf nutrition in the first week of life: the 1-6 rule
The peak spring-calving period is fast approaching or has just commenced on dairy farms nationally. To ensure calf health is maximised, colostrum management is critical, as it is the most important factor in calf health and vitality.
21 January 2023
How to reduce nitrogen losses at farm level
The prohibited period when organic fertilisers are not allowed to be spread on 'zone B' farms came to an end on January 15th, Mary Roache, Teagasc advisor in Westport, offers advice on reducing nitrogen losses.
20 January 2023
Grass10 Featured Farmer - Dara Killeen
Dara Killeen farms with his wife Beatrix, father Charlie and daughter Isabella, milking 160 cows on 46 Ha. Dara completed his opening AFC last week and completed a spring grass budget on PastureBase Ireland to help him manage grass supply throught the spring.
19 January 2023
Tommy the Vet on Getting the Basics of Calf Health Right
With calving season under way, on this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge podcast, Tommy Heffernan aka Tommy the Vet talks about doing the basics right on calf health.
17 January 2023
Spring 2023: Failing to plan=planning to fail
With Spring calving just around the corner now is a great time to plan work and time off. Task drift and stress can escalate if farmers are not mindful of the importance of planning and delegation.
16 January 2023
Let's Talk Dairy - Milk feeding guidelines for young calves
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 5th January 2023, George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist was joined by Emer Kennedy, Teagasc to discuss milk feeding guidelines for young calves.
15 January 2023
Let's Talk Dairy - Milk feeding guidelines for young calves
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 5th January 2023, George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist was joined by Emer Kennedy, Teagasc to discuss milk feeding guidelines for young calves.
13 January 2023
Grass10 Newsletter - 10th January 2023
Happy New Year to all readers of the Grass10 weekly newsletter!
12 January 2023
Using Red Clover in the Silage Sward
Aidan and Luke Maguire farm just over 46 hectares of good free draining land near Navan in Co Meath. They are operating a Dairy-Calf to Beef enterprise with a high stocking rate of 2.8 LU/ha on the whole farm. Aidan was Teagasc Drystock Grassland Farmer of the Year in 2021.
11 January 2023