Dairy

Johnstown Castle Winter Milk Herd – Dry Cow Management
Ensuring autumn calving cows are in the correct condition for calving down will significantly reduce the risks of metabolic disorders and the increased workload and loss of production that goes with it. Dairy Specialist James Dunne outlines the dry cow practices in the Johnstown Castle research herd
01 August 2022

Is it necessary to complete the Green Cert?
On completion of the Green Cert course, students meet the requirements of a qualified farmer for the purposes of all Revenue and Department of Agriculture (DAFM) schemes. Serena Gibbons, Education Officer, Teagasc Athenry discusses the wider benefits of completing the Green Cert
31 July 2022

It’s hard to be green, when in the red
Farmers are facing a big challenge when it comes to balancing economic sustainability with environmental sustainability, says Michael Hayden, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Maynooth University. This External Insights article featured in the TResearch Summer 2022 Magazine. Read more here
31 July 2022

Summer safety on farm
Summer is always a very busy time on farms and there is so much happening with silage, harvesting of crops and ongoing management of livestock, but we all need to remain mindful of health and safety on the farm. Marion Fox, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Athenry focuses on a few areas to consider
30 July 2022

Dairy Start-up Farm in Ballindine, Co. Mayo
Donal Ronayne and his uncle Liam Trench started milking 205 heifers in 2021. Historically the farm was a suckler to beef enterprise. The conversion to dairying started in 2019 and a Farm Partnership was set-up. Donal Kelly, Dairy Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris talks about this great change on the farm
30 July 2022

Cliona Beirne - Green Cert experience
“What I loved about being in college was that you would be learning about measuring grass in the morning and you would be in the field in the afternoon putting it into practice" says Cliona Beirne about the Teagasc Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Herd Mgt) at Mountbellew College
28 July 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 26th July 2022
The Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition 2022 has been launched! The Grass10 team bring us the details in this week's newsletter. Also get the regular PBI dairy & beef figures, grass growth predictions, Grass10 Weekly Checklist & tips, Grass10 Featured Farmer, Clover reporter and more here
27 July 2022

Using TAMS to improve Farm Sustainability
Séamus Nolan, Dairy Advisor, Teagasc Castlerea, discusses using TAMS to improve farm sustainability. Séamus outlines a sample of eligible investments under TAMS which benefit both the farmer and the environment. If considering applying for a TAMS grant consult your Teagasc advisor. Read more here
27 July 2022

Addressing lameness on the dairy farm
One of the hidden costs when it comes to milking cows is lameness. Also, lameness is a repeat offender problem. Mark O’Sullivan, Business & Technology Dairy advisor at Teagasc Clonakilty discusses the causes but more importantly the steps to take to correct and prevent lameness in dairy cows
26 July 2022

Maria Keane - Green Cert experience
“The Green Cert gives you a great foundation in agriculture,” says Maria about the Teagasc distance Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming course, which she completed at Gurteen College. Maria talks about her distance "Green Cert" course which she found flexible and accommodating
26 July 2022

Approaching Deadline for Fodder Support Scheme 2022
The deadline for submission of applications for the Fodder Support Scheme is Tuesday August 2nd 2022. It is important that all eligible farmers apply even though the maximum payment of €1,000 per applicant may look small to some. Matt O’Sullivan Teagasc Advisor, Killarney has the details here
26 July 2022

Newford Update -TB testing, Cattle weights & heifer replacements arrival
Michael Fagan, Technician at Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm, Athenry has the latest Newford report including a setback from TB testing, Cattle weights for beef bullocks & heifers, 2022-born heifer replacements arrive on-farm and Progressive Young Farmers visit Newford. Read all on Teagasc Daily
25 July 2022

Dave Moloney - Green Cert student experience
“My only regret is that I didn’t do it years ago!” says Dave Moloney, Co Cork about the Teagasc part-time Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming course, which he completed at Teagasc Macroom. Dave, who won 2021 Teagasc Student of the Year Competition, talks about his "Green Cert" course
25 July 2022

Teagasc PhD Walsh Scholarship Opportunity on Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, most commonly caused by bacterial infection. Teagasc Researcher Dr. Pablo Silva Boloña has full details here of a Teagasc PhD Walsh Scholarship opportunity at Teagasc Moorepark, on mastitis. Closing date for applications is 31st August 2022
25 July 2022

Grass margins a simple but effective environmental measure!
Grass margins are strips of untouched vegetation around field boundaries. These margins are typically fenced off and left alone to provide habitat cover and food for flora and fauna to thrive in. Why do we need grass margins? And are they effective? Eanna Loughrey, Teagasc Ballinrobe has answers
23 July 2022

Enhanced rates for Organic Farmers
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett recently announced proposed new enhanced rates for farmers participating in the Organic farming scheme. These are subject to approval by the European Commission.
23 July 2022

Fatal Farm Incidents in Ireland 2008 – 2021
As farm safety week draws to a close today, Teagasc Staff Dr David Meredith, Rural Economy Development Programme (REDP), Dr John McNamara, Health & Safety Specialist and Dr Mohammad Mohammadrezaei, REDP, show us the statistics on Fatal Farm Incidents in Ireland 2008 – 2021 to raise safety awareness
22 July 2022

Promoting Positive Mental Health among Farmers
Mental Health Awareness is today's Farm Safety Week theme. Farmers live in constantly changing times with possibilities of farming problems and many issues that can cause stress and associated mental health challenges. John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist discusses managing stress here
22 July 2022

Quitting smoking success - A Farmer study
Farmers have been identified as a high-risk group for cancer mortality compared to other occupational groups. Cancers of the lungs and respiratory tract are major killers and are particularly associated with smoking tobacco. John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist informs us of more here
21 July 2022

Preventing Occupational Respiratory Diseases in Farming
On Thursday 21st July Respiratory Health is the #FarmSafetyWeek theme. Farmers are at high risk for developing respiratory (lung) disease. About 60% of non-smoking Irish farmers report having some lung or breathing issues. John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist discusses preventing this
21 July 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 19th July 2022
This week's Grass10 Newsletter includes; Grass10 featured farmer-Paudie O'Brien; the clover reporter with Peter Doyle, Teagasc Grange; Grass10 weekly tips; weekly checklist; plus grass growth predictions, PBI figure and a New Feature on PastureBase Ireland - Record the level of clover in paddocks
20 July 2022

Farm safety champions and farm accident survivors
It's #FarmSafetyWeek and Wednesday's theme is farm safety champions and farm accident survivors. Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists, Francis Bligh and John McNamara encourage you to be a farm safety champion this July. They introduce Ann Doherty, a south Kilkenny farmer and accident survivor
20 July 2022

Labour saving: 13 times per week milking
Fancy taking some time off on your dairy farm? Reducing the number of milkings per week is a practice used to allow farmers to take time off from the farm, from July onwards. Martina Gormley, Teagasc Dairy Specialist examines this approach and emhasises that consistency is important to make it work
20 July 2022

Grass management in dry weather conditions
Soil moisture and high daily temperatures are beginning to impact on daily grass growth in many parts of the country. While fields and paddocks remain green growth is impaired. Teagasc specialist, Joe Patton has advice and tips for managing grass in the current prolonged spell of dry weather.
19 July 2022

Thomas Curran is New Head of the Teagasc Advisory Service
Thomas Curran has been appointed as the new Head of the Teagasc Advisory Service. The appointment was approved by the Teagasc Authority today, Tuesday, 19 July. Thomas Curran will lead the Teagasc advisory service, which is delivered to farmers nationwide by a team of agricultural advisors
19 July 2022

Young persons - be safe around farm vehicles and machinery
Health and Safety Authority figures tell us that sadly 22 children lost their lives as a result of farm accidents in the past 10 years. HSA figures also tell us that 91% of childhood deaths on farms had a farm vehicle or a machine involved. Get some advice here on keeping young persons safe
19 July 2022

Child Safety on Farms in 2022
The farm safety week theme for Tuesday is Child safety on farms. Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist outlines ways to keep children safe on farm. He discusses the importance of teaching children about farm safety and lists various resources for children including ‘Stay Safe with Jessy'
19 July 2022

Biodiversity Farm Walk in Wexford
Colm Doran, Teagasc advisor, Gorey extends an open invitation to what promises to be an informative evening at a Biodiversity Farm Walk on the dairy farm of Alan & Cheryl Poole on Wednesday, 20th July at 7pm near Craanford, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Attendees will see good on-farm biodiversity in practice
18 July 2022

Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition 2022 is launched
The Grassland farmer of the year competition for 2022 was officially launched on Friday 15th July in Johnstown Castle Estate by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD.
18 July 2022

Profitable and sustainable dairy system
The Dairy Research programme in the Teagasc Agricultural College in Ballyhaise, County Cavan has been running for 17 years with a continued focus on developing profitable grazing systems for the Border, Midlands and Western regions
17 July 2022