Dairy
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
Cost control for 2022
Input costs for dairy farms are projected to increase through early 2022. Although milk price has to some extent masked the impact on margins in the short term, the potential impact is likely to be significant as Patrick Gowing and James Dunne Teagasc, Dairy KT Specialists outline here
29 November 2021
Optimizing vaccination strategy
Niamh Field Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, dicusses Optimizing vaccination strategy. She covers the role of vaccines, deciding on a vaccination programme for Infectious diseases and the practical considerations as part of the Teagasc Virtual Dairy Conference
28 November 2021
Liver Fluke Forecast November 2021
Each year, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in collaboration with Met Éireann, UCD, Teagasc and Animal Health Ireland advises farmers of the predicted risk of disease caused by liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection in livestock for that autumn and winter. Read more here
27 November 2021
Milking interval relationship with PM finish time
A long milking interval is a driver of late PM finish time and long working days. Martina Gormley Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Athenry and Noirin McHugh Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Moorepark examine milking interval implications for farmers
27 November 2021
Value of Pig Manure
In this infographic the Teagasc Pig Development Department have highlighted how farmers can make substantial savings by using pig manure to grow their grass and tillage crops based on current fertilizer prices.
26 November 2021
Sward utilisation Pasture Profit Index update
The Pasture Profit Index (PPI) is used by the grassland industry to identify and select the best varieties when reseeding. Tomás Tubritt, Laurence Shalloo, Noirín McHugh & Michael O’Donovan, Teagasc Moorepark discuss variety grazing efficiency, plot studies & practical implications of using the PPI
26 November 2021
Reducing energy costs on dairy farms
John Upton Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Moorepark, advises calculating the energy costs of your farm in cents per litre of milk produced, as a useful exercise to benchmark efficiencies against national averages and other farmers. He discuses the role of solar panels
26 November 2021
The effect of sward type & nitrogen fertiliser application rate on milk & herbage production
There is renewed interest in the use of white clover in grazing systems due to its ability to biologically fix nitrogen (N). Brian McCarthy, Áine Murray and Fergal Coughlan, Teagasc, look into the effect of sward type and nitrogen fertiliser application rate on milk and herbage production.
25 November 2021
Making better grazing management decisions in 2022 – the PastureBase Ireland story
Enhanced grazing management has the potential to yield further improvements in milk production efficiency and nutrient use efficiency. The level of grassland measurement within PastureBase Ireland has grown substantially in recent years. Michael O’Donovan and Micheal O’Leary, Teagasc, examine this.
25 November 2021
Economic and environmental performance of Irish dairy herds - what are the measures of success?
As with all industries and sectors of society, agriculture is being increasingly challenged to play its part in improving climate and environmental sustainability. Joe Patton, looks at the economic & environmental performance on Irish dairy herds as part of the Teagasc Virtual Dairy Conference 2021
24 November 2021
Beefing up your efforts
A combined effort to improve calf quality & health will support higher performance allowing earlier age at slaughter, furthering the sustainability of grass-based dairy & beef systems. Nicky Byrne & Donall Fahy, Teagasc, discuss the key actions to maximise the potential of the entire calf crop.
24 November 2021
Sexed semen use on dairy farms
Stephen Butler and Stephen Moore Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, discuss Sexed semen use on dairy farms including Maximizing fertility, Timing of AI, straw handling and more as part of the two-day Virtual Dairy Conference 2021 taking place today
24 November 2021
Where next for the EBI traits
Higher EBI cows are more profitable. Donagh Berry Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, and Siobhan Ring, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation discuss improvements in EBI traits as part of the Teagasc Virtual Dairy Conference 2021 taking place today and tomorrow
23 November 2021
Kildalton Discussion Group
The Kildalton Discussion Group, in operation for over 20 years has 18 dairy farmer members. They’re mostly from Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. Philip Donohoe, Chairman, discusses the group performance and areas for future improvement as part of the Virtual Dairy Conference today
23 November 2021
Trying to make sense of the Climate Action Plan
The Climate Action Plan is aiming to reduce our total national emissions by 51% by 2030. Each sector of the economy has been allocated a budget. Enda O’Hart, Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Castlerea discusses two of the recently published sectoral budgets under the Climate Action Plan, impacting farmers
23 November 2021
Earlier Finishing in Practice
Climate commitments through the Climate Action Plan are set to have a fundamental policy impact on beef production over the coming decades. Colm Kelly, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinasloe answers common questions about finishing cattle earlier and the challenges he has encountered.
22 November 2021
The Signpost Series - Assessing Biodiversity Management Practices on Intensively managed farmland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, held on Friday, 5 November, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist to discuss assessing Biodiversity Management Practices on intensively managed farmland
21 November 2021
Alex McCarthy Signpost dairy farmer on reducing emissions
This month we meet farmers that are engaging with their carbon footprint figure. Tom O'Connor, Teagasc Dairy Advisor, joins dairy farmer Alex McCarthy in Co. Limerick, to analyse the results of his recent Bord Bia audit and suitable actions he can take to reduce emissions.
19 November 2021
Are you considering converting to Organic Farming?
The Teagasc Organic Specialists are hosting a series of Autumn organic webinars covering various technical aspects of organic farming. The third webinar in the series, on Wednesday, 24 November at 7:30pm focuses on considering converting to Organic Farming. Two farmers talk about their experiences
18 November 2021
The Signpost Series - Biorefinery Glas and the potential of the bioeconomy to transform grassland agriculture in Ireland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 22 October, Mark Gibson, Teagasc was joined by James Gaffey, MTU; Johan Sanders, Grassa; and Bridget Lynch, Teagasc to discuss Biorefinery Glas and the potential of the bioeconomy to transform grassland agriculture in Ireland.
16 November 2021
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