Dairy
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
Teagasc Ballyhaise Students Graduate
Awards and certificates were presented to over 300 Level 6 graduates of Teagasc Ballyhaise College by Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD on Thursday, 24 March. This event has graduates over two years from 2020 & 2021 having been postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions
28 March 2022
Let's Talk Dairy - When to start the second round in 2022
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy, which took place on Thursday, 24 March, host Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, discusses when to start the second round of grazing in 2022.
28 March 2022
Setting the targets for spring breeding 2022
Teagasc advises that 90% of cows and heifers should calve in the first six weeks of the calving season. Nationally only 65% calve in this time. In a Dairy Breeding series factors such as maximising three-week in-calf rate, treatment of non-cycling cows and heat detection will be examined.
28 March 2022
Lime is a Key Ingredient this Spring on Farms
The cost of farming has increased significantly from fertiliser to feed and other inputs on the farm. It is important to look at where we can reduce costs. Marion Fox, Teagasc advisor, Athenry turns to lime to help reduce fertiliser costs and has advice on lime application.
27 March 2022
Is Clover an option for my farm?
On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast Teagasc researcher Deirdre Hennessy discusses all you need to know about clover swards. With the price of chemical fertiliser this spring Deirdre highlights that clover most definitely has a role on all grass based systems. Learn more about clover
26 March 2022
The Signpost Series - Fertiliser Programmes to save money and emissions on Dairy and Drystock farms
On this episode of The Signpost Series which took place on Friday, 4 March, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Dr Seamus Kearney, Signpost Programme, Teagasc to give an overview of fertiliser programmes to save money and emissions on Dairy and Drystock farms.
26 March 2022
The Clover Reporter with William Dennehy
This week's Clover Reporter from the Grass10 newsletter is William Dennehy of Currow, Castleisland, Co. Kerry. William is hosting a clover walk on his farm on April 5th. Get his top tip for clover here along with details of clover varieties sown on the farm
25 March 2022
Royal Visit to Signpost Farm
Shane and John Fitzgerald, who farm near Portlaw in county Waterford, hosted a visit by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on Thursday, 24 March 2022.
25 March 2022
Tillage Update 24th March 2022
The launch of the Tillage Incentive Scheme by the Department of Agriculture this week has to be welcomed by the tillage industry. Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops KT, Teagasc discusses the opportunities it brings for tillage and grassland farmers and provides advice on converting grassland to tillage
24 March 2022
Protected Urea on the Kildalton College Farm
In Kildalton College, protected urea has been used on the college farm for the past 3 years with no urea or straight CAN being used. It is delivering yield, lower costs and is reducing GHG and ammonia emissions. Find out more in this video from Jamie Cahill, Lecturer at Kildalton College
24 March 2022
Farmers urged to grow more cereals and fertilize for first cut silage
The announcement by Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, of a new targeted intervention package for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative, worth over €12 million, was welcomed by the Chair of the National Fodder & Food Security Committee, Mike Magan.
23 March 2022
Raising awareness of data on the farm
The AgriDISCRETE project is raising farmers’ awareness of data by co-designing communication materials that explain what data on the farm is and how it’s shared. Researchers Claire Brown and Áine Regan, Agrifood Business and Spatial Analysis, Teagasc, Athenry provide more insight here
23 March 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 22nd March 2022
This week's Grass10 Newsletter includes; a research update on fertiliser for 1st cut silage; Grass10 featured farmer; the clover reporter with William Dennehy plus Grass10 weekly tips for managing grass on your 1st rotation; weekly grass checklist; grass growth predictions and Clover farm walks
23 March 2022
Want 50kg more winter weight gain for no extra cost? Cut silage in May instead of June
Research conducted at Teagasc Grange has shown that cattle fed high quality 75% dry matter digestibility (DMD) silage gained almost 50kg additional live-weight over a 5 month winter compared to similar cattle fed 65% DMD silage. Joe Patton, Dairy Specialist explains the results of this research
22 March 2022
Improving Water Quality on World Water Day
On World Water Day 2022, Improving water quality and supporting the production of high-quality food are what Teagasc are targeting through various water quality initiatives that we are involved in. Learn about the work of Teagasc ACP and ASSAP staff including groundwater sampling here
22 March 2022
Bull selection for 2022
How much time do you spend selecting AI bulls in-conjunction with analysing your herd performance and other farmers’ herd performance figures? In many cases, farmers will say not enough time is given to this important task. Martina Gormley, Dairy Specialist discusses the ICBF Sire Advice programme
21 March 2022
Commissioner Mairead McGuinness visits Signpost Farm
EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, recently visited Signpost farmer, Alan Clarke at Kilinkere, County Cavan. Commissioner McGuinness had the opportunity to see first-hand the work that farmers are doing to reduce gaseous emissions and be more environmentally sustainable.
21 March 2022