Dairy

Rebuilding of fodder stocks a priority

Rebuilding of fodder stocks a priority A challenging March has caused issues for dairy, drystock and tillage farmers, attendees heard at yesterday’s meeting of the Fertiliser Sub-group of the National Food and Fodder Security Committee in Teagasc Oak Park, Co. Carlow. A Teagasc delegation of Mark Plunkett, Michael O’Donovan, Shay Phelan and […]
14 April 2023

Playing a crucial role in the environmental and economic success of dairy, beef and sheep

Playing a crucial role in the environmental and economic success of dairy, beef and sheep Genetics is an essential field to the future of the farming industry in Ireland. With new environmental targets being set nationwide, predicting animal characteristics may prove instrumental. All our research covers different areas of genetics and breeding, […]
14 April 2023

Let’s Talk Dairy: Tirlán Focus Farmer update

0 Let’s Talk Dairy: Tirlán Focus Farmer update On this episode of Let’s Talk Dairy, George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Steven Fitzgerald, Co. Waterford dairy farmer and Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme participant, to get an update on what’s been happening on the farm. Steven gives an insight into how the […]
6 April 2023

Setting a clear breeding strategy in Co. Kilkenny

0 Setting a clear breeding strategy in Co. Kilkenny As part of Dairy Breeding Week, Teagasc hosted a farm walk on the farm of Philip Donohoe, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny. In this article, Teagasc Dairy Advisor, Kevin Brennan, Oak Park, Carlow, outlines the main topics discussed. Philip has focused on breeding since the Economic […]
6 April 2023

3 tools to breed better beef from the dairy herd

0 3 tools to breed better beef from the dairy herd A historical preference of selecting beef sires for use on the dairy herd based solely on calving ease and short gestation resulted in the deterioration of the beef merit of the resulting calves. With additional cow numbers, a lessor requirement for replacement […]
4 April 2023

Watch: The advantages of sexed semen usage

0 Watch: The advantages of sexed semen usage Sex-biased semen is a revolutionary technology that provides many potential advantages for the Irish dairy industry, which Dr. Stephen Butler, Teagasc Principal Research Officer in reproductive physiology, discussed during Teagasc Breeding Week. One of the key advantages to sexed semen usage is that replacement heifer […]
4 April 2023

Correct fertiliser application rates and cutting dates for first-cut silage

0 Correct fertiliser application rates and cutting dates for first-cut silage What happens on farm over the next few weeks will have a significant impact to silage stocks on dairy farms for next winter. James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, offers key advice on fertiliser application rates in this article. ‘Silage in the yard […]
3 April 2023

Breeding quality calves for repeat custom in Co. Meath

0 Breeding quality calves for repeat custom in Co. Meath Conor Smith milks 250 cows with his parents in Carlanstown, Co. Meath, producing 530kg of milk solids per cow last year from a herd of predominately high EBI Holstein Friesian cows. The herd’s average EBI value is €184. Split 75% spring and 25% […]
3 April 2023

The EBI: An Economic Breeding Index for the future

0 The EBI: An Economic Breeding Index for the future Breeding boasts the advantage of being a proven technology that has clearly been demonstrated over decades to be able to deliver changes in performance. The benefits from breeding cumulate over time and can be permanent. While an advantage, this can also be a […]
2 April 2023

Improving beef potential from the dairy herd

0 Improving beef potential from the dairy herd Regardless of cow type, there is the potential within dairy herds for a better beef breeding policy, Dr. Nicky Byrne, dairy beef researcher in Teagasc Grange, told the recent DairyBeef 500 Spring Conference in Navan, Co. Meath. “There is massive variation in the quality of […]
1 April 2023