Dairy

Safeguard your payments against Cross Compliance Penalties
Under cross-compliance, the beneficiary of direct payments is required to meet specified minimum criteria in the maintenance of their yard and the storage of organic manures to avoid sanctions being applied to their area-based payments. Noel Bardon, Walsh Scholar, Teagasc Westport has some advice.
17 December 2021

Environment Newsletter - December 2021
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Think before you plant!; Planting a new hedge; and a message from Signpost Programme - How big is your carbon footprint?.
17 December 2021

'Historical Irish Dairy Products' Book Launch
The official launch of a new book, 'Historical Irish Dairy Products' which traces from earliest times the historical-cultural heritage of Irish dairy products took place virtually on 15th December. The launch was hosted by Mark Gibson, Teagasc and featured contributions from a panel of guests.
17 December 2021

Teagasc Pathway to Reducing GHG Emissions
The Climate Action Plan of 4th November clarified sectoral emission reduction targets for agriculture and land-use. Tom O’Dwyer, Head of Signpost Programme focuses on the steps needed for agriculture to deliver on its targets. Teagasc Director, Frank O'Mara outlined these at the Beef Conference also
16 December 2021

New Commercial Beef Value (CBV) announced by ICBF
At last week's Virtual Beef Conference ICBF announced a new Commercial Beef Value. Described as a new selection tool for farmers with non breeding herds it will have particular relevance to those herds that are purchasing animals to bring to finish. Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist has details
15 December 2021

Pre-calving checklist for Spring 2022
Now is the time to start thinking about Spring 2022. How can it be made easier than last Spring? Here, Martina Gormley, Teagasc Dairy Specialist talks about work organisation and having a checklist in place for pre-calving tasks and supplies. You can download your checklist here
13 December 2021

From nursing to dairy farming in the Burren
Teagasc Student of the Year, Deirdre McMahon, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss her decision to change from a career in nursing to dairy farming.
13 December 2021

Dairy Newsletter - December 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Dairy team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Profit Monitor revision, Planning fertiliser requirements for 2022, Research Update - METH-ABATE and Breeding targets for winter milk herds
13 December 2021

Let's Talk Dairy Webinar - Organic Dairying
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 25 November, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist was joined by Joe Kelleher, Teagasc Organic Specialist to discuss organic dairying.
13 December 2021

Developing Rural Ireland - Newsletter
A new book that documents the history of the Irish agricultural advisory services and their role in developing rural Ireland was launched at a virtual event at Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, on Wednesday, September 1, 2021.
12 December 2021

Start preparing now for next Spring
As things quieten down, there is an opportunity to prepare in for what is normally the busiest time of the year - calving season. John McNamara, Teagasc/Carbery Joint Programme Co-ordinator outlines some of the key areas which can be looked at in the coming weeks in advance of the calving season.
12 December 2021

Organic farming: an option now?
For those considering the change to organic farming there are many factors to take into account. Martina Donnelly, Teagasc B&T Drystock Advisor, discusses these factors, including fertiliser, meal and sprays, here.
12 December 2021

Clonakilty Agricultural College Dairy Update October/November 2021
James Daunt, Dairy teacher, provides the October/November update on Dairying at Clonakilty Agricultural College. He outlines the milk results for November, details of the grassland situation on the farm and the drying off process being used, which is expected to be complete by 10th December.
11 December 2021

Opportunities for Growth in 2022 with PastureBase Ireland - Webinar
On Thursday, 2 December, John Douglas and Joseph Dunphy, Teagasc Grass10 and Micheal O'Leary from PastureBase Ireland were joined by dairy farmer John Phelan to discuss the opportunities for growth in 2022 with PastureBase Ireland.
11 December 2021

National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Profitability of later born calves
Today's question, the last in the series of unanswered questions from the Virtual Dairy Conference is on whether later born calves (April- May) leave a profit for the beef farmer? All this week and last, Teagasc Dairy Specialists answered these. Nicky Byrne, Teagasc Grange answers this one here
10 December 2021

Are you competent to operate a chainsaw safely?
Inevitably, some on-farm trees will have blown down following Storm Barra. Why not check out advice on operating a chainsaw safely on the Teagasc Forestry website page, before considering any clean-up activities? John Casey, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer provides chainsaw guidance here
10 December 2021

Drying off cows is in full swing
Drying off cows in batches is in full swing on most farms. However In view of good milk prices it can be tempting to milk on for some farmers. Don Crowley, Teagasc Milk Quality Specialist, advises against milking on and outlines best practice for drying off here
10 December 2021

The Signpost Series Webinar - What are the implications of net zero for UK agriculture?
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 26 November, Pat Murphy, Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer Department, Teagasc was joined by guest speaker Dr Bob Rees, SRUC Scotland to discuss what are the implications of net zero for UK agriculture?.
10 December 2021

Teagasc Green Acres Newsletter Issue 8
This latest issue of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme e-Newsletter, this December, has a farmer update from Ciaran Bartley, Boher, Co. Limerick, key management tips, details of silage quality on Green Acres farms and information on Space requirements for weanlings. Read it here
09 December 2021

National Beef Conference 2021
Due to COVID-19, this year's National Beef Conference was delivered as two webinars, on Monday, 6th December and Wednesday, 8th December. The conference consisted of the latest beef research and the best technical advice for beef farmers. Access both of the webinars here
09 December 2021

National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Spring Nitrogen recommendations
Teagasc Dairy Specialists and farmer speakers answer questions from the National Dairy Conference, which were unanswered on the day, due to the volume of questions asked, here on Teagasc Daily this week. Today's question is on Spring Nitrogen recommendations answered by Michael O’Donovan, Moorepark
09 December 2021

National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Oversowing Clover
In a follow up from yesterday’s questions about the Clover seeding rate, this question is further answered today with regard to clover oversowing methods. Teagasc Dairy Specialists and farmer speakers answer questions like this from the National Dairy Conference here on Teagasc Daily this week
08 December 2021

Recap on November Climate Actions
With the first week of December under our belt it's time to recap on Climate actions for November and see if we have measured up. This week is Hedgerow week - did you order your trees and hedging? It's a good time to soil sample, test silage and review liver fluke control if not already done.
08 December 2021

Fertiliser Prices – Aiming to minimize impact of price inflation
With nitrogen prices having trebled in the last number of months and phosphorus and potassium prices rising also, drystock farmers are rightly concerned as to how this will affect their business in terms of cashflow and profitability in 2022. Alan Dillon, Beef Specialist discusses options here
08 December 2021

The state of Ireland’s hedgerows
Catherine Keena Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist covers The state of Ireland’s hedgerows, as talked about in the Teagasc Hedgerow Week Panel Discussion on Monday's webinar. Watch back on the webinar here and tune in all this week to Hedgerow Week events
08 December 2021

Grass10 Newsletter - 7th December 2021
Get the latest news & updates from the Grass10 team: End of year update from Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath on the Dairy Calf to Beef trial; Reminder to soil sample & apply lime; Reviewing the Farm Summary Report from Overall Grassland Farmer of the Year, Caroline Walsh; recap on the most recent webinar.
08 December 2021

National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Clover seeding rate
Establishing clover in existing swards was a hot topic at the dairy conference. Questions like the following were asked: What amount of clover seed should be in a mix for mid season reseed? Teagasc Dairy Specialists and farmer speakers answer questions like this here on Teagasc Daily this week
07 December 2021

Higher farm output prices in 2021, but rising costs a concern for 2022
A new report, by economists at Teagasc, estimates that average family farm income (FFI) in Ireland has increased by 20 per cent in 2021. Overall, price inflation for farm inputs has been more than offset by higher prices for most farm outputs leaving average family farm income for some farm systems
07 December 2021

Advice for Farmers facing Storm Barra
Met Eireann have issued a Status Red, Orange and Yellow - Wind warning for Ireland. Storms are becoming a more frequent occurance in Ireland bringing a mixture of wind, rain and sometimes snow. Teagasc has advice here for farmers facing the current Storm Barra this Tuesday and Wednesday
07 December 2021

Breeding Targets for Winter Milk Herds
Breeding goals for winter milk herds should be centred on improving milk solids output while improving fertility traits such as calving interval & 6wk calving rate; feed efficiency, health and longevity are also important goals. EBI balances these objectives. James Dunne Dairy Specialist explains
06 December 2021