Dairy
How to maximise pregnancy rates across the remainder of the breeding season
Doreen Corridan and Stuart Childs join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge to give advice on how to maximise pregnancy rates across the remainder of the breeding season and how to avoid a lull in calvings that arise during the transition from AI to the stock bull.
24 May 2021
Let's Talk Dairy - Cutting for Quality Silage
In the latest episode of the Let's Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Dairy Specialist discusses how to cut for the highest quality of silage.
24 May 2021
Results of Teagasc Protected Urea trial finds no residues
A new scientific paper was published in the past week with results from a trial on using protected Urea on the Teagasc farm at its Environment research centre, Johnstown castle. Irish farmers are being encouraged to switch from using CAN fertiliser to protected Urea, as part of reducing emissions
23 May 2021
Lowering the Carbon Footprint of Milk Production at Solohead Research Farm
Following rapid expansion there is an immense challenge to lower the environmental impact of dairy farming. At Solohead Research Farm we have designed and tested systems for lowering the carbon and ammonia footprints of milk production. James Humphreys, Researcher has details in a short video here
23 May 2021
Opinions wanted from farmers and vets
Farmers and vets working in the dairy, pig, beef and sheep sectors on the island of Ireland are being asked to complete a survey to provide their views on how antibiotics are used in agriculture.
23 May 2021
Improvements in animal health, welfare and product quality
Join Teagasc researchers on three Research Insights Webinars where they will discuss strategies to improve animal welfare, reduce the use of antibiotics and anthelmintics and improve milk quality.
22 May 2021
Farmers are part of the solution - Biodiversity Day 2021
Saturday May 22nd 2021 is International Biodiversity Day. The theme for this year is: 'We're part of the solution'. We’re all part of nature, so we must be part of the solution for biodiversity loss and climate change. What actions can farmers take?
22 May 2021
Hitting Breeding Targets in the Dairy Herd
We are currently in the middle of the breeding season on most Irish dairy farms. Here Kevin O'Hara, Teagasc Ballinrobe, will look at some of the key targets that dairy farmers need to try and achieve over the coming weeks and look at how these targets will be achieved.
21 May 2021
Growing Maize Silage Considerations
Eighty percent of maize in Ireland is grown specifically for the production of maize silage and can be used as a winter feed in both dairy and beef production systems. While grass is the most popular winter feed, Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor outlines why maize silage might be worth considering
21 May 2021
"Bee kind" farming
Today is #WorldBeeDay and Teagasc encourages farmers to adopt "Bee kind" farming, to look at ways of improving habitats and enhance biodiversity to support wild bees on Irish farmland. In Ireland there are 77 solitary bee species, 21 bumble bee species and 1 honey bee species.
20 May 2021
The Signpost Series Webinar - Water Quality: the challenge of understanding and valuing it
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 14th May, Mark Gibson, Teagasc ConnectEd is joined by Bernie O’Flaherty, Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) to discuss water quality: the challenge of understanding and valuing it.
20 May 2021
Recap on BDGP, BEAM, BEEP S and Dairy Calf Beef Scheme
Even though we are in between CAP programmes, farmers in the interim will continue to be supported with a rollover for BDGP 1 and BEEP-S, as well as a new Dairy Beef calf scheme. Aidan Murray Beef Specialist has a reminder of some of the key requirements for the various beef programmes here.
19 May 2021
Grass10 Newsletter - 18th May 2021
Get the latest news & updates from the Grass10 team in this week's newsletter including: PastureBase data & grazing tips for the week; managing mid-season grass; grazing updates from farmers; William Burchill discusses mid-season nitrogen application & Pat Collins social media takeover on Wed 19 May
19 May 2021
Launch of The Signpost Programme
The Signpost Programme was launched on Tuesday, 18 May. Hosted by RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground presenter Helen Carroll, the online webinar demonstrated how the new Teagasc led collaborative programme will support Irish farmers in reducing emissions from agriculture. Catch up on all the highlights here
18 May 2021
The Signpost Series Webinar - Agri-food Strategy 2030 - The Environmental Ambition
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 7th May, Mark Gibson, Teagasc ConnectEd is joined by Tom Arnold, Chair of the 2030 Agri Food Strategy Committee to discuss the 2030 Agri Food Strategy: The Environmental Ambition.
18 May 2021
Meet the Teagasc Signpost Team
The new Signpost Programme – Farmers for Climate Action, will be launched tomorrow Tuesday, 18 May. Today we meet the Signpost Programme team who will work with farmers, and the partner organisations to prompt climate action by all Irish farmers.
17 May 2021
Quantifying the impact of recent growth rates on 1st cut silage crops
On this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge, dairy specialist James Dunne joins Emma-Louise Coffey to quantify the impact of recent growth rates on 1st cut silage crops.
17 May 2021
Delaying silage cutting date will have negative effects on silage quality & quantity for dairying
Grass silage makes up about a quarter of the annual feed budget on the average dairy farm. With below average growth rates in late April/early May, James Dunne, Dairy Specialist Ballyhaise, answers the common question: “should silage cutting date be delayed to allow first cut yields to increase?”
17 May 2021
How to harvest quality silage
With the silage season upon us, on the latest episode of the Environment Edge, Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn chat to Teagasc dairy advisor in Kilkenny Pat Moylan about the cold dry spring and tips on how to harvest quality silage.
17 May 2021
Let's Talk Dairy - Weed Control
In the latest episode of the Let's Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Dairy Specialist is joined by Ciaran Collins, Tillage Specialist to discuss weed control, following up on the recent webinar with Deirdre Hennessy on establishing grass-white clover swards.
17 May 2021
Heat Detection by Tail Painting
Heat detection is key to achieve your herd targets this breeding season. Most cows display signs of heat between the hours of 9pm and 7am so relying on observation alone to identify cows in heat could easily result in cows being missed. Tara Heaney, KT Walsh Scholar explains how tail painting helps
16 May 2021
The Teagasc Signpost Programme Launch
The official launch of The Teagasc Signpost Programme, a collaborative programme to lead climate action by Irish farmers and their transition towards more sustainable farming systems.
16 May 2021
Research Insights Webinar - Role of grass breeding & evaluation to increase the sustainability of pasture-based systems
On a recent Teagasc Research Insights webinar held Wednesday 12th May, Michael O'Donovan, Head of Grassland Science, was joined by Patrick Conaghan, Stephen Byrne & Tomas Tubritt, Teagasc Researchers to discuss the role of grass breeding & evaluation to increase sustainability of pasture systems
15 May 2021
Farming Tips for May
Emma Sherlock, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, Clonakilty Advisory picks out a few key management actions farmers should be taking on during the month of May. These include care of the replacement heifer & breeding targets, farm safety at silage making, grass & fertiliser update and flock health
15 May 2021
Plan a Safe Silage Season in 2021
The weather has been cold of late and that has delayed the silage season but as the season gets into ‘full swing’ attention to safety is critical at silage making. Plan a safe silage season is a key message from John McNamara and Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialists here
14 May 2021
Teagasc students win awards at Irish Mass Spectrometry Society Conference
Two Teagasc Walsh Scholars won awards at the Irish Mass Spectrometry Society Conference, which was held as a virtual event on 11-12th May. Both students are members of Professor Kieran Kilcawley’s research group in the Food Quality and Sensory Science Department at Teagasc Moorepark.
14 May 2021
Teagasc Green Acres Virtual Farm Walk with Jarlath and Austin Ruane
On Thursday 13th May, Jarlath and Austin Ruane, farmer participants of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme hosted a virtual event from their farm in Claremorris, Co. Mayo through the use of social media and video. You can watch back the footage here to gain an insight into their farm
13 May 2021
Grass10 Newsletter - 11th May 2021
Get the latest news & updates from the Grass10 team in this week's newsletter including: PastureBase data & grazing tips for the week; grazing updates from GFOTY category winners, the Galvins - new entrants to dairy and from Philip Creighton, Athenry sheep research farm; plus reseeding & clover info
12 May 2021
Why all the fuss about sulphur?
Sulphur (S) is an important nutrient for grassland production, and is closely associated with nitrogen uptake and efficiency. If there is a sulphur deficiency present it will decrease the nitrogen use efficiency and reduce yield. Martina Harrington Beef Specialist outlines the importance of Sulphur
12 May 2021
Slurry storage capacity and TAMS
Tom Fallon, Teagasc Farm Buildings & Infrastructure Specialist has tips for applying for TAMS grant aid for slurry storage here. He advises when building new facilities to look beyond meeting the minimum storage requirements as many farms require extra storage. He features a TAMS grant farm example
10 May 2021