Dairy
Organic dairy production
Organic dairy production There is currently strong market demand for organic milk. Joe Kelleher and Elaine Leavy, Teagasc Specialists, discuss how organic dairy production can be profitable. They suggest that good clover sward content and soil fertility are key to maintaining a higher stocking rate. Introduction Organic dairying is a relatively small […]
17 September 2021
Calf housing on commercial farms in Ireland
Calf housing on commercial farms in Ireland Dairy expansion with increased herd sizes, results in more calves being born on Irish dairy farms. Fit for purpose calf rearing facilities with appropriate ventilation and space allowance are linked to improved calf health and welfare. Alison Sinnott & Emer Kennedy, Teagasc Moorepark researched this […]
17 September 2021
Milk quality research focusing on chlorine related residues
Milk quality research focusing on chlorine related residues The use of chlorine-based detergents are very effective in maintaining hygiene of the milking machine and bulk talk. Residues, however, could potentially impact on milk powder as an ingredient for infant formula. Bernie O’Brien & David Gleeson, Teagasc, Moorepark discuss their research in this […]
17 September 2021
Improving the beef merit of dairy calves coming from the dairy herd
Improving the beef merit of dairy calves coming from the dairy herd It is now possible to almost eliminate low value male dairy calves by using just enough sexed semen to generate the required number of replacement dairy heifers. That’s the message to Dairy farmers visiting the final of three Teagasc Dairy […]
16 September 2021
Teagasc Research on methane emissions in grazing dairy systems
Teagasc Research on methane emissions in grazing dairy systems Farmers visiting the Teagasc Dairy Open Day in Moorepark will see the latest work being carried out in Teagasc on ways to reduce methane emissions. Teagasc Researchers Ben Lahart, Katie Starsmore, Jonathan Herron, Frank Buckley & Laurence Shalloo outline how the GreenFeed units […]
16 September 2021
Dairy farm infrastructure for sustainable milk production
Dairy farm infrastructure for sustainable milk production In recent years Teagasc has invested in research programmes aimed at identifying efficient farm infrastructure systems that will promote sustainable milk production. Patrick Tuohy & John Upton Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark discuss these here The research topics encompassed under the […]
16 September 2021
Reducing chemical nitrogen use on dairy farms
Reducing chemical nitrogen use on dairy farms Dairy farmers visiting the Teagasc Dairy Open Day, yesterday and today in Moorepark, with the final day on Thursday 16th September, will hear from Teagasc researchers and advisers about the Five key practices which can be used to reduce N fertiliser use on all farms […]
15 September 2021
How is dairy cow welfare research addressing current dairy industry challenges?
How is dairy cow welfare research addressing current dairy industry challenges? Muireann Conneely and Niamh Field, Researchers at Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, address the question – How is the dairy cow welfare research program addressing the significant challenges that are facing the dairy industry at present? Society […]
15 September 2021
Reducing the use of antibiotics on dairy farms
Reducing the use of antibiotics on dairy farms There is growing interest in the potential to use selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) in low SCC cows i.e. cows with SCC less than 200,000 cells/mL, to reduce antibiotic use at dry-off. Researchers Pablo Silva Boloña, Clare Clabby and Sinead McParland give some relevant […]
14 September 2021
Grazing management to increase N use efficiency on Irish dairy farms
Grazing management to increase N use efficiency on Irish dairy farms Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE;%) is a key indicator of agricultural system efficiency. It is defined as the proportion of the total N inputs, in feed, fertiliser, organic manures etc. that are recovered in milk & meat exports from the farm. The […]
14 September 2021