Dairy
SmartCow Project linking European Research Infrastructures successfully
The SmartCow final conference took place on Wednesday, 6 April in Brussels, with the findings from the SmartCow consortium during the past four years presented.
12 April 2022
Pat and Sean Kelly - Cow and bull selection
The focus of the second part of the breeding series is on the key targets when selecting sires and dams of the next generation of dairy replacements. Dairy Specialist George Ramsbottom details what needs to be considered.
12 April 2022
Pat and Sean Kelly - Herd details and performance
Over the coming week Dairy Daily with George Ramsbottom, Dairy Specialist, will focus on the breeding performance and genetic merit of the dairy cows on the farm of Pat and Sean Kelly, Arrabawn Suppliers from Kilruane, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Today's video is on herd details and performance
11 April 2022
Sustainability Training Programme for Farmers and Co-operatives wins Top Accolade at National Training Awards
A ‘game changing’ new programme addressing the training and development needs of co-operatives and their farmer members and producers, as they work to reduce their carbon footprint, has won the prestigious Pearse Walsh Award.
11 April 2022
The Clover Reporter is Jim White
This week's The Clover Reporter returns to the farm of Jim White, Clonmel Co. Tipperary. Jim recently held a Clover Farm Walk on his farm. He outlines his clover plan for 2022 and his top tip for Clover in April.
10 April 2022
Longer days, more work, greater danger
Spring is here, and with it peak workload. Reduce your risk of injury or even death with some simple precautions. Francis Bligh and John McNamara Teagasc Health and Safety specialists have suggestions for keeping safe at calving time, when handling slurry and around machinery here
10 April 2022
Managing Roadside Trees
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has published guidance on managing roadside trees. Written by a panel of experts convened by the Tree Council, it presents a simple six-step process for landowners to follow. Co-author Eileen Woodbyrne summarises the advice and guidance in the booklet
09 April 2022
Fertilising for First Cut Grass Silage Factsheet
Teagasc recently published a compendium of 20 factsheets providing the latest technical advice on soils, nutrients and fertiliser. The tenth of these is about Fertilising for First Cut Grass Silage and can be read here. All 20 will be published here on Teagasc Daily
09 April 2022
LIME – The Cheapest Fertiliser in 2022
Lime application was, and is always the starting point of good soil nutrient management. Austin Callaghan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris, describes it as the engine oil of our soils. With the great hike in fertiliser prices Austin has advice on making the best of lime this year
08 April 2022
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter April 2022
In this month’s newsletter the climate action focus is on securing silage stocks for next winter in the context of high fertiliser prices. The newsletter outlines a blueprint for incorporating clover successfully into a grassland sward. Check out the Signpost farmers featured, soil health and more
08 April 2022
Climate Actions for March/April
Get advice from the Signpost Team summarised in Climate Actions for Grassland Farmers for March/April. There is a focus on winter feed budgeting and how to calculate your silage requirement. Get food and fodder security information for drystock and dairy farmers.
07 April 2022
Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management Open for Applications
Teagasc are accepting applications for the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course. Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 20th 2022.
07 April 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 5th April 2022
This week's Grass10 newsletter has the Teagasc Clover Farm Walks upfront. Book your spot here. Get predicted growth & soil temperatures, the Grass10 weekly checklist, walk your farm every 5 days - one of the Grass10 weekly tips, featured farmer Oisin Gill, The Clover Reporter with Jim White and more
06 April 2022
Red Clover Silage Measure
The Red Clover Silage Measure (RCSM) aims to encourage farmers to sow red clover silage swards. A payment will be made to participating Co-op/Agri-retailers to assist farmers with the cost of buying red clover silage sward seed mixtures. This will help with the establishment of these swards
06 April 2022
Extension announced to Multi Species Swards Measure applications
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has announced a short extension to the closing date for its Multi Species Swards Measure (MMS). The Measure, aiming to encourage farmers to sow multi-species swards, will now close at midnight on 14 April, the same day as the Red Clover Silage Measure
05 April 2022
Clover usage reducing Nitrogen surplus on Grassland farms
A series of 12 Clover farm walks organized by Teagasc across the country commenced today, Tuesday, 5 April. The farm walks will highlight the beneficial role that white clover is playing on grazing farms.
05 April 2022
Assess your silage requirements – complete a fodder budget
What happens on farm over the next few weeks will have a significant impact to silage stocks on dairy farms for next winter. Silage in the yard is money in the bank. James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, advises on completing a fodder budget as planning ahead to secure enough feed is important now
04 April 2022
The Clover Reporter: Kevin Moran
The Grass10 team return to Kevin Moran for The Clover Reporter this week. These farmers have a lot of clover established on their farms and are continuing to establish more clover into their grass-clover swards for animal performance and nitrogen reduction gains. Get Kevin's top tip for April
02 April 2022
Multi Species Sward Measure Closes on 4th April
The Multi Species Sward Measure aims to encourage farmers to sow multi-species swards (MSS). Under this measure a payment will be made to participating Co-op/Agri-retailers to help farmers with the cost of buying multispecies sward seed mixtures. Closing date has been extended to Thursday 14th April
02 April 2022
Caution urged due to Orange Fire Warning
Teagasc is urging landowners and all involved in outdoor activity to exercise extreme caution and to heed the high level warning for fires in place this week. The current weather patterns have resulted in a high fire risk in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses, heather & gorse exist
01 April 2022
Ramping up dairy genetic gain and beefing up your calf crop
As we look to refine the breeding of the dairy herds of the future, replacements should come from the best genetics and best performing cows in the herd. Today's dairy breeding article focuses on using both dairy and beef AI, from the start of the breeding season.
01 April 2022
Analyses of the organic value chain in Ireland
Dan Clavin & Dr Yan Jin, Teagasc led this research in which a value chain mapping approach was undertaken using organic administrative data to understand the structure of the organic value chain, examining the distribution of organic farms in relation to their production systems
01 April 2022
Breeding Replacement Heifers
Maiden heifers are the most fertile animals in the herd and have the highest EBI. Therefore Teagasc recommends targeting your heifers with sexed or conventional dairy AI to maximise the rate of genetic gain in your herd. In the video clip here, Stephen Moore, Teagasc Researcher explains
31 March 2022
New study demonstrates the effect of pasture versus concentrate diets on the aroma of raw bovine milk
New research from Teagasc and University College Cork has demonstrated that the odour of raw milk is both directly and indirectly influenced by bovine diet. The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, is the first to demonstrate the direct transfer of aroma from diet to milk
31 March 2022
Plan to use teams of bulls equally
Teagasc and ICBF recommend that teams of bulls are used when breeding dairy cows. Last year we recorded Margaret Kelleher, ICBF and David Hannon, dairy farmer Meath discussing the issue. Their advice is as relevant in 2022 as it was in 2021. In a Dairy Breeding series breeding topics are discussed
30 March 2022
Teagasc Clover Farm Walks
The sharp increase in fertilizer prices since late 2021, has put a renewed focus on the ability of white clover to fix atmospheric Nitrogen for grazing swards on farms. A series of 12 Teagasc farm walks commencing on April 5th, will highlight the beneficial role of white clover on farms
30 March 2022
Rising costs a challenge for new dairy entrants in 2022
A cohort of farmers will convert to dairy farming in 2022. While prospects for milk price this year are positive, inputs cost are also increasing rapidly. In this article, Teagasc dairy advisor, Kevin Brennan, Oak Park, outlines what he recommends that new entrants should consider in the coming year
30 March 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 29th March 2022
Find out about managing the remaining grass on your 1st rotation in this week's Grass10 e-newsletter. Get the Pasturebase Ireland dairy & drystock figures, predicted growth, weekly tips & checklist, a research update from Moorepark, featured farmer, the clover reporter and upcoming clover farm walks
30 March 2022
Reducing the Risks of Slurry Application
Maximising the fertiliser benefits from slurry is critical in 2022. Farmers are aware of this valuable resource and how it can help reduce their overall fertiliser bill through early spring application. However, best practice and regulation must be followed says Kieran Kenny ASSAP Advisor, Castlerea
30 March 2022
Conditions come right for grazing in Limerick
Ciaran Bartley operates a calf-to-beef system, consisting of mainly Holstein Friesian steers, just outside Boher, Co. Limerick. He discusses early turnout to grass on his farm and utilising protected urea in this video. Find out more about the farm from Seán Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisor
29 March 2022