Dairy

Seaweed supplementation to reduce methane emissions in ruminants
Researchers at Teagasc are investigating whether the addition of native seaweeds and seaweed extracts to the ruminant diet can reduce methane emissions. Dr Maria Hayes explains more to presenter Jonathan McCrea on “10 Things to Know About…Seaweed”, airing tonight on RTÉ One Television at 8:30pm.
15 November 2021

Hiring staff: Where to start?
The Spring 2022 calving season around the corner so now is a good time to plan who will help to run your business. All too often fatigue and burn out occur in Spring time on many farms. Dairy Specialist Martina Gormley gives some information and advice on hiring staff.
15 November 2021

Is the Tide Eventually Turning for Clover?
Dairy farmers are regularly asking their advisors what they are going to do about fertiliser next spring. They are aware that Nitrogen fertiliser looks to be scarce for next spring and if available, it will be at inflated prices. Teagasc Advisor John Hardy has advice on the some options for coping
14 November 2021

Winter Management of In-Calf Dairy Heifers
Mairead Kirk, Dairy Advisor in Teagasc Louth explains the key steps in the winter management of in-calf dairy heifers. As they are the future of your herd, in-calf heifers should be a top priority for you this winter. In this video Mairead talks about heifers calving at the correct weight and more
14 November 2021

Getting Ready for the 2022 Dairy Season
Decisions made over the next few weeks will have long lasting consequences for the profitability for the dairy business in 2022. Teagasc Advisor Michael Donoghue outlines some of the key areas that need to be considered.
14 November 2021

Timoleague Catchment Research entering a new phase
The Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) has been conducting research and farm advice, recording water quality, quality and weather data in Timoleague, West-Cork since 2009. As Timoleague Catchment Research is entering a new phase, Oisín Coakley, ACP Advisor brings us an update
12 November 2021

Decision time for Dairy Beef finishers- Feed or store?
The vast majority of 18-21 month old beef cattle have been housed at this stage. Alan Dillon, Teagasc Beef Specialist, answers the question on which stock to feed on to finish and which to store for a grass kill next summer/autumn. He advises weighing post housing as an obvious first step.
10 November 2021

Creating Our Future
I’m sure you have seen or heard ads for the Creating Our Future initiative, which is a campaign being run by the government of Ireland to find out from the public what they think we should be doing scientific research on in the future.
09 November 2021

Introducing the National Dairy Conference 2021
The National Dairy Conference is at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork and at Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th November respectively. Focusing on environmentally sustainable dairying, Specialist, George Ramsbottom, introduces farmer speakers Kevin Moran, Galway & Ger Pardy, Offaly
08 November 2021

Generating bioplastics using haemoglobin from blood
On “10 Things to Know About … Blood”, airing tonight, Monday, 8 November, on RTÉ One Television at 8:30pm, presenter Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin will meet Teagasc Researchers, Dr Anne Maria Mullen and Dr Carlos Alvarez, who have developed a method to generate bioplastics using haemoglobin from blood.
08 November 2021

Agriculture Climate Targets Challenging but Achievable
Teagasc is committed to continue its research and advisory programme supporting farmers to meet the reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions set in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.
07 November 2021

Making the most of what you have!
Here Bernie Leahy, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway considers The Parable of the Talents in the Bible, and likens it to Teagasc initiatives such as Signpost Programme and Farm Diversification which encourage farmers to be efficient, not wasteful, changing practices for the sake of the environment
07 November 2021

Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter November 2021
This months newsletter provides a guide to the actions beef farmers can take to reduce emissions on their farm, including 2 Signpost Farmers, Alex McCarthy (Dairy) & John Barry (Beef), outlining their carbon footprint; A guide & link to the Dairy Energy Decision Support Tool; research update & more
06 November 2021

Signpost Programme Farm Walk: Patrick & Paula O’Hanlon, Kerry
Patrick & Paula O’Hanlon's farm in Tarbert, is one of five farms in Co. Kerry partaking in the Teagasc Signpost Programme. A farm walk was held recently on their farm. Méabh Dore, Teagasc Dairy advisor recounts the most notable changes on the farm and the biggest learning outcomes from the day here
03 November 2021

Getting Ready for Winter Housing
A fine autumn has resulted in increased grass growth and good grazing conditions on farms. However, with the recent change in weather the focus has now turned to housing for the winter. Aoife Forde, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare has a few key points on housing here
02 November 2021

Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load
Last week was European Week for Safety & Health at Work themed: ‘Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load’ - part of the Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2020-22. Francis Bligh & John McNamara, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists take this opportunity to advise on avoiding work-related injury on the farm
02 November 2021

Feed plan for winter milk herds
Creating a winter feed plan that delivers the best economic return has always been well debated but never more than now given the 20% increase in concentrate costs in the last number of months. James Dunne, Dairy Specialist, Teagasc Ballyhaise has advice on feeding the freshly calved cow this winter
01 November 2021

Get to Know Your Soil Fertility
It is well known that grass is the cheapest source of feed on our farms. It is up to 3 times cheaper than silage and up to 5 times cheaper than concentrates. Advisor Patricia Lynch gives information on the importance of soil sampling to optimise grassland performance.
30 October 2021

Delivering on sustainability
As part of Moorepark 21 Teagasc researchers and specialists prepared detailed papers on the theme Irish Dairying - Delivering Sustainably. Researcher Laurence Shalloo's paper was 'Delivering on sustainability' . Read a summary of the paper below.
29 October 2021

Teagasc Green Acres Newsletter: Issue 7
This issue of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme e-Newsletter has an update on Richard Long's farm; key management tips; meal supplementation and silage quality; and winter housing.
28 October 2021

Organic Dairy Farm Open Day on the banks of the River Barrow
Joe & Alicia Whitty have been farming organically for 14 years now, but the biggest change to their farming system came in 2015 when they converted their mixed beef/pigs and tillage operation to organic dairying. The Whitty family hold an organic farm walk on Wednesday November 3rd at 11am.
28 October 2021

Are your Climate Actions for October on track?
Are your Climate Actions for October on track? If not you can act now to apply lime, start closing paddocks, check out your carbon footprint for your farm, check your soil maps and apply K to low index soils or start taking soil samples and manage your hedges to allow some thorn saplings to grow.
26 October 2021

Options for Organic Tillage Growers
The second in a series of Autumn organic webinars, hosted by the Teagasc Organic Specialists, takes place on Wednesday, 27 October at 7:30pm and focuses on Options for Organic Tillage Growers. Register here
24 October 2021

The Signpost Series - Implications of climate neutrality for agriculture, land use & forestry in Ireland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 8 October, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Dr. David Styles, University of Limerick to discuss the implications of climate neutrality for agriculture, land use & forestry in Ireland.
23 October 2021

Cathal Moran's Teagasc/Glanbia Open Source Future Farm Walk
A farm walk with Cathal Moran, farmer participant in the Teagasc Glanbia Future Farm Programme took place on Friday, 1 October on his farm in Skeoughvasteen, Co. Kilkenny. See first-hand in a series of 8 mini-video clips how the day went and download the event proceeding here
21 October 2021

Improving The Appearance of your Farm
At various times of the year farms are very busy places of work, and can quickly become untidy and unsafe. However, no matter how busy you are, you must be safety conscience and aim to keep your farm and farmyard neat and tidy at all times. Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Adviser has farm upkeep suggestions
21 October 2021

Calculating the Carbon Footprint of your Farm
The Environment is at the forefront of all our decisions now as we actively make positive moves to lowering Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). We know Greenhouse gases have a negative impact on our planet. Serena Gibbons, Education Officer Teagasc Athenry looks at how the carbon footprint is calculated
20 October 2021

Nutrient Loss & the Closed Period for Spreading Manure
The regulated closed period for spreading organic manures is often a source of frustration and annoyance for farmers. This is not surprising given the cost of manure storage and variation in Irish weather. Edward Burgess, Teagasc explains the research supporting the closed period restrictions
19 October 2021

Prevent lameness at housing
Preventing lameness in first place is the most important means by which lameness in your herd may be reduced according to lameness experts Ger Cusack, Comeragh Vets and Ned Dunphy, FRS, Dungarvan. George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist discusses this here
18 October 2021

Management to Control Docks on your Farm
The summer of 2021 provided excellent growing conditions and weeds grew brilliantly. Fields on many farms have dock problems. Greater focus is needed to prevent dock infestation and eliminate existing docks. Austin Callaghan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris examines aids to dock control here
18 October 2021