Dairy

Early intervention key with problem cows

0 Early intervention key with problem cows Submitting cows for service is an important aspect of the breeding season, with a target of 90% submitted in the first three weeks. In this article, Teagasc Dairy Specialist Stuart Childs explains why now is the time for managing problem cows on your farm to maximise […]
8 May 2023

Completing a simple winter feed budget for a dairy herd

0 Completing a simple winter feed budget for a dairy herd Silage accounts for at least 25% of the annual feed budget for the average spring-calving dairy herd. This will be greater on farms operating high grazing stocking rates or on heavy soils. Weather shocks such as drought or poor spring growth can […]
8 May 2023

Improved pregnancy rates from sexed semen

0 Improved pregnancy rates from sexed semen Carried out over a five-year period, the most comprehensive analysis of the performance of sexed semen in a commercial field setting ever undertaken has shown improvements in the pregnancy rates being achieved. The results of this analysis was presented by ICBF and was based on over […]
7 May 2023

Setting the sights on milking quality silage in Co. Mayo

0 Setting the sights on milking quality silage in Co. Mayo Donal Ronayne is in his third year of milk production, milking a herd of 194 spring-calving cows in south Mayo. A participant in the Teagasc/Aurivo Joint Programme, he joined Teagasc Dairy Specialist James Dunne on a recent Let’s Talk Dairy webinar to […]
6 May 2023

Managing late-calving cows to shorten calving interval

0 Managing late-calving cows to shorten calving interval The management of late calvers is something that needs to be given some thought in order to avoid them calving late again or not at all. The bulk of herds will commence breeding in late April / early May, there will be a number of […]
2 May 2023

Let’s Talk Dairy – Advisor’s update from the grassroots

0 Let’s Talk Dairy – Advisor’s update from the grassroots On this episode of Let’s Talk Dairy host James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, is joined by Seamus Nolan, Teagasc Advisor based in the Roscommon/Longford Advisory Region, to give an update from the grass roots. Seamus Nolan gives an insight into what’s been happening […]
2 May 2023

Managing the dairy herd for a successful breeding season

0 Managing the dairy herd for a successful breeding season With the dairy breeding season currently in full swing on most Irish dairy farms, Kevin O’Hara, Teagasc Ballinrobe, looks at some of the key targets farmers need to achieve over the coming weeks. Most dairy herds in Ireland typically start breeding from May […]
1 May 2023

Accelerating genetic gain in the dairy herd

Accelerating genetic gain in the dairy herd The calving season in the dairy herd is coming to an end and the breeding season is fast approaching. In this article, Séamus Nolan, Dairy Advisor in Teagasc Castlerea, outlines technologies farmers can use to accelerate the genetic gain in their dairy herd. Animal performance […]
28 April 2023

Synchronisation programmes for replacement heifers

Synchronisation programmes for replacement heifers With the breeding season having commenced on many dairy farms, the use of synchronisation programmes for replacement heifers may be one avenue by which the workload involved with breeding is reduced. On many farms, replacement heifers are located on out-blocks away from the yard, which poses challenges […]
24 April 2023

Let’s Talk Dairy – matching stocking rate to grass grown

Let’s Talk Dairy – matching stocking rate to grass grown On this episode of Let’s Talk Dairy, Patrick Gowing, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Eugene Lawler, dairy farmer, to discuss matching stocking rate to grass grown. Eugene gives an insight into his farming system and how the year is progressing so […]
24 April 2023