Dairy
Listen: Managing mid-season grass quality
Listen: Managing mid-season grass quality Teagasc Grass10 Programme Manager, John Maher joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss managing mid-season grass quality. John outlines the significance of getting grass quality right, as 40% of the milk is produced in May, June and July. He talks about why grass management […]
26 May 2025
How the Next Generation Herd II is progressing
How the Next Generation Herd II is progressing The Next Generation Herd II study is focused on advancing sustainable dairy farming using high genetic merit animals. It explores how genetic merit and stocking rate affect dairy production and beef output. Farm Manager Ricki Fitzgerald shares the latest on the newly established herd’s […]
26 May 2025
Achieving good silage preservation
Achieving good silage preservation Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, shares his advice for achieving good silage preservation. To produce high yields of grass for silage, use swards that are dominated by perennial ryegrass, as they contain more sugars than other grasses. Ensure the phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and pH status of the soil […]
26 May 2025
Managing the use of stock bulls
Managing the use of stock bulls Stock bulls will continue to be a vital part of breeding plans on many farms in 2025. Managing the transition from AI to stock bull usage is an important factor in breeding success. Did you experience a lull in calving in 2025? Often, this coincides with […]
24 May 2025
Current management tips from the Grass10 Team
Current management tips from the Grass10 Team Focusing on rotation length, grass allocations and supplementation rates, Joseph Dunphy of the Teagasc Grass10 team shares key tips and advice as soil moisture deficits still have the potential to limit grass growth in some locations. PastureBase Ireland growth data informs us that grass growth […]
22 May 2025
Why this Signpost dairy farmer is selective with breeding
Why this Signpost dairy farmer is selective with breeding Signpost dairy demonstration farmer, Dermot Walsh fills us in on his breeding policy, where as much attention is given to the cows selected to breed the next generation of his herd as the sires. Cow selection I started breeding on the 28th of […]
22 May 2025
Top Five Tips for Dairy Farmers this May
Top Five Tips for Dairy Farmers this May Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, shares timely advice to stay productive and prepared this May. 1. Assess your stocking rate Exclude areas reserved for silage or reseeding when calculating your grazing area. How much grass are you offering? Mature herds need 19-20kg […]
21 May 2025
Building the Future of Dairy: Insights from Cork’s IDF Joint Symposium
Building the Future of Dairy: Insights from Cork’s IDF Joint Symposium The International Dairy Federation (IDF) Joint Symposium on Dairy Drying Technology and Recombined Milk Products, held recently in Cork, brought together leading voices from Ireland and around the world. In this piece, Rose Edwin shares key takeaways from the Leaders Panel […]
21 May 2025
Choosing beef bulls on dairy farms that are better for the environment and your pocket
Choosing beef bulls on dairy farms that are better for the environment and your pocket George Ramsbottom, Signpost Advisory Programme, highlights how better dairy and beef breeding can cut greenhouse gas emissions while improving calf value. From an environmental perspective better breeding of both dairy and beef cattle is important in the […]
20 May 2025
Will you have enough heifers in 2027?
Will you have enough heifers in 2027? With a significant drop in dairy heifer calf numbers in recent years, Stuart Childs, Joe Patton, and Laurence Shalloo stress the importance of breeding enough replacements to meet herd needs, urging farmers to plan ahead. Recent statistics show that there has been a significant drop […]
19 May 2025