Dairy

Everycalf project – contract rearing of dairy beef calves

Everycalf project – contract rearing of dairy beef calves Increased cow numbers on dairy farms coupled with increased adoption of improved breeding technologies have resulted in consistent improvements in the six-week calving rates on Irish dairy farms in recent years, resulting in large numbers of additional male calves being born each spring. […]
25 March 2023

CAP 2023-2027: How is your farm affected?

CAP 2023-2027: How is your farm affected? On the 1st of January this year, a new five-year CAP period started. Andy Ryder, Drystock Advisor, tells us there are a number of important changes occurring in relation to the distribution of CAP payments that farmers need to know about. The majority of farmers […]
24 March 2023

Getting Ready for weaning

Getting Ready for weaning Weaning can be a stressful time for calves as they make the change from a liquid to a solid feed diet and move from a pre-ruminant to the ruminant phase. Much of the skill in calf rearing is making this diet transition as smooth as possible, without set-backs […]
22 March 2023

Breeding Considerations for the 2024 Calf Crop in Dairy Herds

Breeding Considerations for the 2024 Calf Crop in Dairy Herds Imagine milking a herd of cows and selling 550kg of milksolids from each with an annual profitability of €500 per cow more than the Irish Base cow. All that prevents you from achieving this, is your management and breeding decisions. These cows […]
21 March 2023

How pedigree herds are preparing for future challenges through their breeding

How pedigree herds are preparing for future challenges through their breeding Laurence Feeney, CEO of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA), is on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss how pedigree herds are preparing for future challenges through their breeding. Laurence started by telling us a little bit about his background […]
20 March 2023

Teagasc Dairy Breeding Week 2023

Teagasc Dairy Breeding Week 2023 The breeding season on Irish dairy farms has become increasingly concentrated in the late April to June period. Teagasc and ICBF have organised a series of 14 information events during ‘Dairy Breeding Week’ which is running from today, Monday, 20 March to Friday, 24 March. These online […]
20 March 2023

Let’s Talk Dairy – Less than 100 SCC in first 100 days

Let’s Talk Dairy – Less than 100 SCC in first 100 days On this episode of Let’s Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 9th March, George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist was joined by Don Crowley, Teagasc to discuss less than 100 Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in the first 100 days. Elsewhere […]
19 March 2023

Planning for good grazing infrastructure

Planning for good grazing infrastructure Improved grassland management relies upon robust grazing infrastructure; suitably sized and shaped paddocks with multiple access points, serviced by roadways of sufficient quality and adequate drinking water. It is vital to consider the quality of your grazing infrastructure and acknowledge where deficits have arisen in recent years. […]
18 March 2023

Ensuring the health and success of your replacement heifers

Ensuring the health and success of your replacement heifers Managing pre-breeding replacement heifers in spring after turnout to grass can be a critical component of a successful dairy cattle operation. George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, highlights some key considerations and practices to keep in mind. Nutrition Replacement heifers need to receive adequate […]
13 March 2023

Let’s Talk Dairy – Kerry Monitor Farms update – 1/3 through first rotation

Let’s Talk Dairy – Kerry Monitor Farms update – 1/3 through first rotation On this episode of Let’s Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 2nd March, host George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist is joined by Denis Brassil, Teagasc to give an update on the Kerry Monitor Farms where 1/3 are through […]
13 March 2023