Beef
Bull Safety
Bull Safety The breeding season has started on many farms and that brings increased risks associated with close contact with animals. HSA figures show bulls were involved in over 18% of livestock related deaths on Irish farms in 2011-2020. John McNamara & Francis Bligh, Health & Safety Specialists report here Many farm […]
16 April 2021
Preparing for Breeding
Preparing for Breeding As the calving season is coming to an end and the breeding season is about to start, it is timely that we should be looking at ways to maximise fertility on farms. Teagasc Beef Specialists outline the four key areas for most suckler farmers to consider here, and finish […]
14 April 2021
Getting Cattle out to grass
0 Getting Cattle out to grass While some farmers like those shown here managed to achieve a late February or early March turnout, many do not. This year due to the poor weather and challenging grazing conditions many farmer have still to turn out young stock. Here are some tips from Longford Teagasc […]
9 April 2021
Selecting AI bulls for suckler herds
0 Selecting AI bulls for suckler herds Levels of AI usage in suckler herds is low nationally with an estimated 20% of cows bred to AI sires year on year. Usage amongst maiden heifers is higher often due to the presence of one stock bull on small suckler herds. Alan Dillon, Teagasc Beef […]
7 April 2021
Achieving high performance from grass this spring
Achieving high performance from grass this spring Given the weather conditions we’ve encountered this Spring, it can be hard to contemplate letting cattle out of their comfortable shed to grass. It is something that we must give serious consideration to. Donal McCabe, Drystock Advisor, Longford has some advice on getting cattle out […]
13 March 2021
Castration – Best Practice
Castration – Best Practice The castration of male cattle intended for beef production is a common practice. Castration is considered to cause a degree of pain and stress and has been shown to elicit other reactions and behaviours. Dr. Bernadette Earley, Teagasc Grange Researcher details best practice Castration here (Photo above:Burdizzo and […]
10 March 2021
Planning for purchasing Dairy beef calves
Planning for purchasing Dairy beef calves We are now at the point of the year where peak dairy calf numbers are starting to appear in marts and on farm for sale. Alan Dillon, Teagasc Beef specialist, discusses the factors farmers need to consider before calf purchase. Prices for calves typically take a […]
10 March 2021
Replacement Management
0 Replacement Management Replacement heifer management, is, on the majority of suckler farms a key area where there is scope to reduce costs, increase sales and streamline management. Here Drystock Adviser, Colm Kelly, addresses some of the messages and issues coming back at farm level Nationally 23% of suckler herds calve replacements at […]
7 March 2021
Disbudding Factsheet
0 Disbudding Factsheet By definition, disbudding is the removal of an area of skin including the horn bud in a young calf prior to solid attachment of the horn bud to the skull. Disbudding is performed for economic and practical reasons: to prevent bullying and injury to other animals and human safety during […]
6 March 2021
Steps to a Successful Calving Season
0 Steps to a Successful Calving Season Tommy Cox, Education Officer, Teagasc Ballinrobe lists the six steps that he sees as being important to ensuring to a Successful Calving Season for the suckler farmer. A bit of luck is always important when it comes to calving time, but, being well prepared and organized […]
4 March 2021