Dairy

March Grass, Opportunities and Challenges

Michael Donoghue, Dairy Adviser, shares key insights on making the most of Irish farmer’s greatest advantage in livestock production, grazed grass. A solid spring grazing plan ensures better performance, reduced costs, and strong regrowth.
22 March 2025

‘Grass grows grass’ – protecting farm cover a priority on Teagasc/Tirlán Farms

March’s improved weather has allowed a return to day and night grazing on the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms. However, Co-ordinator of the Programme, Sandra Hayes explains why monitoring average farm cover has now become a priority for the farmers enrolled.
19 March 2025

5 things to consider when deciding on installing a robot

As labour is in short supply, interest in robotic milking has increased over recent years. Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, Patrick Gowing shares 5 things you should consider when looking at robotic milking.
17 March 2025

Choosing the right cows for breeding

Much time and effort is put into choosing the AI bull each year and rightly so; however, are you putting as much effort into choosing the right cows to breed from?
16 March 2025

How do I prevent negative energy balance?

Dr. Joe Patton and Dr. Aisling Claffey have prepared a Q&A document to aid farmers in ensuring their spring-calving cows’ nutritional needs are met in the early lactation period. Below, they focus on negative energy balance and the factors that influence it.
14 March 2025

Getting the timing right when applying nutrients

Results of soil tests analysed by Teagasc shows there’s a clear need to focus on soil fertility on dairy farms. In this article, Signpost Programme Advisor, Liam Quinn explains why the timing of nutrient applications is important to maximise grass growth.
11 March 2025

A calving and grazing update from Future Farmer, David Fennelly

Teagasc/Tírlan Future Farm programme farmer, David Fennelly joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss how the busy calving period is progressing, and he outlines his grazing management to date.
10 March 2025

The role of nutrition and genetics in milk protein concentration this spring

Ruminant Nutrition Specialist, Aisling Claffey takes a closer look at the factors influencing milk protein concentration this spring, and identifies ways in which farmers can limit the drop.
10 March 2025

Grazing update from the O’Callaghan family in Cork

On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses reviewing your AFC in early March and he has a grazing update from the O’Callaghan family in Cork.
06 March 2025

Grazing ramps up on Teagasc/Tirlán Future farms

After a challenging couple of weeks, farmers enrolled in the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme have been making the most of better weather to ramp up grazing, Co-ordinator of the Programme, Sandra Hayes tells us more.
06 March 2025

Enteric methane: generating new baselines

Improving enteric methane emission estimates from ruminant livestock is an important step towards more informed decision- making on appropriate mitigation strategies.
04 March 2025

Tommy Cox’s Dairy Calf Sales Advice

Tommy Cox, Teagasc Dairy Beef500 Programme Advisor, joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss calf sales this spring.
04 March 2025

Maximising dairy AI success

Each year at this stage, dairy AI bull selection is discussed in great detail, and rightly so. But what about dam selection? James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, explores why choosing the right females is just as crucial for maximizing herd genetics.
03 March 2025

Everything farmers need to know about putting solar panels on sheds

Barry Caslin highlights how farmers, blessed with extensive roof areas ideal for solar panel installations, can turn these underutilized areas into energy-generating assets. This can help meet their energy needs & provide the potential to contribute to the national grid.
03 March 2025

Getting the most from your slurry

Organic manure is a valuable source of plant nutrients. To get the most from the phosphorus (P) & potassium (K) content, as well as the nitrogen (N) in slurry, it must go to the right place at the right time & be spread at the right rate. Using slurry also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions
03 March 2025

Places available in Best Practice in Milking Course

Are you looking to improve your milking skills this year? Then the Best Practice in Milking Course may be of interest to you.
24 February 2025

Getting the most from milk recording

Shane Leane, Technical Sales Manager with Progressive Genetics, joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the importance of milk recording.
24 February 2025

Controlling thermoduric counts this spring

Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, Mark Treacy shares tips on controlling thermoduric counts this spring, focusing on the importance of cow hygiene and plant and bulk tank cleaning routines.
24 February 2025

Grass10: Grazing tips in challenging weather

On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, with the challenging weather, Joseph Dunphy discusses getting one grazing per day and he has a grazing update from John Finucane, Co. Limerick.
22 February 2025

Make grazing by day a priority

As each day a cow spends at spring grass is worth ~€4 to a dairy farmer and with March fast approaching, Advisor on the Teagasc Aurivo Joint Programme, John McCabe has urged dairy farmers to make grazing a priority – even if only by day.
21 February 2025

Host Farm Placements proving valuable to Kildalton College students

Placement is a win-win for both the student and farmer, writes Declan Byrne, College Teacher/Placement Officer, Teagasc Kildalton College, who shares how it’s shaping students for their future careers.
18 February 2025

John McCabe’s tips for spring grazing

John McCabe, Teagasc/Aurivo Joint Programme Advisor, joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to cover tips on grazing in spring.
18 February 2025

Multispecies swards and reduced nitrogen: A win-win for dairy farming

Looking to boost milk yield while cutting back on costly fertilisers? Eimear Ferguson, Science Communication and Engagement Officer at Teagasc, explains how new research from the Grassland Science Department at Teagasc Moorepark shows that incorporating diverse pasture species can achieve just that.
17 February 2025

More for less – the importance of early spring grazing

Early spring grazing takes effort. Fences, back fences, going out for cows after three hours when on-off grazing is practiced, so why bother? Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, Stuart Childs reminds us of its importance - both in terms of production and farm finances.
17 February 2025

Detecting chromosomal abnormalities in cattle

DNA information collected at birth can now be used to detect chromosomal abnormalities in livestock, helping avoid the costs and challenges of rearing infertile cattle.
16 February 2025

Genotyping gains

Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, tells us how genotyping is enhancing the reliability and accuracy of the main dairy breeding indexes.
15 February 2025

Grazing update with Lauren Kinsella Co Carlow

On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses getting grazing allocations correct and has a grazing update from Lauren Kinsella, Co. Carlow.
14 February 2025

Top five tips for February

As part of the Teagasc Dairy Advisor newsletter, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, Dr. Joe Patton shared his top five tips for February. Read them here:
13 February 2025

Whole milk versus milk replacer - which pays?

One question that often arises at this time of year is which is more economically beneficial – feeding calves milk replacer or whole milk?
12 February 2025

Are you getting the full value from your nitrogen fertiliser?

Cost, environmental impact and lowered levels of permitted use are just some of the reasons why dairy farmers need to pay increased heed to the efficiency at which nitrogen fertiliser is used on their farms.
12 February 2025