Dairy
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
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
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
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
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
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
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Using a team of bulls
Teagasc Dairy Specialists continue this week to answer the unanswered questions from the Virtual Dairy Conference on the Dairy Daily. Today's unanswered question is on using a balanced team of bulls when breeding for replacement heifers.
06 December 2021
Planting Hedges
On The Signpost Series, on Friday, 3 December, Mark Gibson, was joined by Pippa Hackett, Minister of State, DAFM and Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director to officially launch Hedgerow Week 2021. Catherine Keena, Countryside Management Specialist discusses planting hedges here and in the webinar
06 December 2021
The Signpost Series - Managing the Risk of Phosphorus Loss from Slurry Application in Northern Ireland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, held on Friday, 19 November, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by guest speakers Drs Donnacha Doody and Russell Adams, AFBI to discuss managing the risk of Phosphorus loss from slurry application in Northern Ireland
05 December 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Are you considering red clover?
All this week Teagasc Specialists answer the unanswered questions from the Virtual Dairy Conference on the Dairy Daily. Today's question - Are you considering red clover (as well as white clover) for silage or grazing ground? is answered by the dairy farmer speakers, Kevin Moran and Ger Pardy
03 December 2021
Promising results from Ireland’s first large scale measurement of methane emissions in beef cattle
Novel research led by Teagasc, in collaboration with colleagues at University College Dublin (UCD) and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), are making strides towards identifying, and ultimately, breeding for low methane emitting beef cattle to improve environmental sustainability in cattle
02 December 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Slurry additives benefits
All this week Teagasc Specialists answer the unanswered questions from the Virtual Dairy Conference on the Dairy Daily. Today's question is about Slurry additives and whether they are beneficial at making slurry agitation easier and at increasing nutrient supply to grassland.
02 December 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: potential of multi-species swards
On the day at the Virtual Dairy Conference Teagasc Specialists were not in a position to answer all questions asked due to the sheer volume of questions. All this week they attempt to answer some of those questions on the Dairy Daily. Today's question is about the potential of multi-species swards
01 December 2021
GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme Farmer Focus – Bernard Bugler
Bernard Bugler is a GLAS 3 Participant from Co. Clare who availed of the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme for repairs to an old stone Building situated in the farmyard. The building was thought to be over 150 years old. Martina Enright, Teagasc Ennis Advisor has details of what was involved
30 November 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Sexed semen - synchronisation or natural heat?
With the opening of the sexed semen laboratory at Moorepark, the use of the technology is likely to increase substantially in the 2022 breeding season. One unanswered question at the Virtual Dairy Conference concerned whether or not synchronisation was essential to ensure high conception rate
30 November 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: 6-week calving rate
On the day at the Virtual Dairy Conference Teagasc Specialists were not in a position to answer all of the questions asked due to the sheer volume of questions. Instead over the coming days they will attempt to answer some of those questions on the Dairy Daily. The 6-week calving rate is first up
29 November 2021