Dairy
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
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
Tommy the Vet on Getting the Basics of Calf Health Right
Tommy the Vet on Getting the Basics of Calf Health Right With calving season under way, on this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge podcast, Tommy Heffernan aka Tommy the Vet talks about doing the basics right on calf health. Tommy says that doing the basics right, though sounding boring, is the […]
17 January 2023
Spring 2023: Failing to plan=planning to fail
Spring 2023: Failing to plan=planning to fail With Spring calving just around the corner now is a great time to plan work and time off. Task drift and stress can escalate if farmers are not mindful of the importance of planning and delegation. Martina Gormley, Dairy Specialist, gives her advice for staying […]
16 January 2023
A Preview of the IGA Dairy Conference
0 A Preview of the IGA Dairy Conference Vincent Griffith, Farm Profitability Specialist with Aurivo Co-Op and chair of the IGA Dairy Conference Committee, joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to preview the IGA Dairy Conference taking place in Charleville on Wednesday 18th January. Vincent outlines the three sessions on […]
9 January 2023
Getting Ready for 2023 Dairy Season
Getting Ready for 2023 Dairy Season The 2022 dairy season is almost finished on most spring calving herds. Here we highlight some areas that will require some attention over the next few weeks before cows start calving again in February. Grass: In general 2022 will be remembered as a good grass growing […]
31 December 2022
The 5 key requirements for a calf shed
The 5 key requirements for a calf shed With the spring-calving period fast approaching on dairy and beef farms, we take a look back the key requirements of calf housing as presented by Teagasc’s Tom Fallon at this year’s Beef 2022 open day in Grange. There are five key requirements for a […]
28 December 2022
Care of the newborn calf
Care of the newborn calf The most critical period of a calf’s life is the first hour after birth, termed the ‘Golden Hour’. Correct calf management and feeding practices during this time influence the subsequent health and development of the calf throughout its life, and its overall lifetime performance. During this crucial […]
25 December 2022