Dairy

‘Our ultimate aim is to try and breed the best beef animals that we can’

0 ‘Our ultimate aim is to try and breed the best beef animals that we can’ Calf quality is often mooted as a reason for the high attrition rates of dairy-beef producers nationally, with just 39% of those engaged in this system in year one doing so at the end of year five. […]
3 February 2023

Let’s Talk Dairy – Housing guidelines for young calves

Let’s Talk Dairy – Housing guidelines for young calves On this episode of Let’s Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 19th January 2023, George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist was joined by Patrick Gowing, Teagasc Dairy Specialist to discuss housing guidelines for young calves The webinar was run in conjunction with the […]
30 January 2023

Solving the mystery about grass-clover swards

Solving the mystery about grass-clover swards Over the last year, discussion has emerged around the adoption of new grassland management practices that have the potential to improve farm performance. A trending topic has been the introduction of clover into grazing swards. Despite efforts to promote its adoption, not much is known about […]
27 January 2023

Using slurry to grow grass in 2023

Using slurry to grow grass in 2023 Using slurry efficiently in 2023 will be essential in controlling input costs on Irish farms. Chemical fertiliser prices still continue to stay high and in this piece from this week’s Grass 10 newsletter, William Burchill, Teagasc/Dairygold Joint Programme, discusses three key points to maximising the […]
26 January 2023

Labour saving this spring

Labour saving this spring The workload in spring makes up over one-third of the total hours needed to run a farm per year. Many farm owners are working in excess of 80 hours per week in spring and overcoming this workload can be a challenge on many farms. The main spring labour […]
24 January 2023

Dairy production costs and projections 2022-2023

Dairy production costs and projections 2022-2023 The average unit cost of producing milk has increased since the abolition of quotas. The rate of increase in costs from 2015 to 2017 was 1.9% per year. In the period 2017-2018, this rate increased to 3.4% per year. However over the last two years as […]
23 January 2023

A Game Changer for Calf Gut Health?

A Game Changer for Calf Gut Health? For the second part of the interview with Tommy the Vet, Stuart talks to Tommy about Precision Microbes, a complementary feed for calves that he thinks is going to be game changing for calf gut health. Tommy first discusses how he came to have an […]
23 January 2023

Let’s Talk Dairy – Managing scouring calves

Let’s Talk Dairy – Managing scouring calves On this episode of Let’s Talk Dairy, George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist was joined by Catherine McAloon, Vet in UCD’s Herd Health Group to discuss scouring calves. Catherine’s presentation was followed by a questions and answers session. The webinar was run in conjunction with the […]
23 January 2023

How to investigate an outbreak of abomasal bloat in dairy calves

How to investigate an outbreak of abomasal bloat in dairy calves Abomasal disorders (bloat, twists, infections and ulcers) are a common problem in primarily unweaned dairy calves. While each problem (e.g. bloat) may occur independently, they are inter-related ailments and they may also be misdiagnosed. They accounted for some 12% of all […]
22 January 2023

Excellent calf nutrition in the first week of life: the 1-6 rule

Excellent calf nutrition in the first week of life: the 1-6 rule The peak spring-calving period is fast approaching or has just commenced on dairy farms nationally. To ensure calf health is maximised, colostrum management is critical, as it is the most important factor in calf health and vitality. Where poor colostrum […]
21 January 2023