Dairy
Dairy advice: Act early when managing body condition score over an extended dry period
0 Dairy advice: Act early when managing body condition score over an extended dry period With milk yields falling rapidly, some cows may have to be dried off well in advance of their planned dry off date. Given that early dry off is normally one of the options suggested for cows that are […]
2 November 2023
Efficient practices and facilities key to reducing labour on Irish family dairy farms
Efficient practices and facilities key to reducing labour on Irish family dairy farms Teagasc releases a new study on achieving labour self-sufficiency on family dairy farms. A core strength of the Irish dairy industry is the role of the family in the operation of the dairy farm. However, the success of family […]
31 October 2023
The importance of late-lactation milk recording when using selective dry cow therapy
The importance of late-lactation milk recording when using selective dry cow therapy Blanket dry cow therapy (DCT) to treat existing intra-mammary infections (IMI) and to prevent new IMI over the dry period has been a key pillar in mastitis control for many decades. New EU regulations state that antimicrobials should not be […]
31 October 2023
The current fodder situation & advice for winter feed
The current fodder situation & advice for winter feed With the winter housing period upon us in large parts of the country, Laois-based Teagasc Dairy advisor, Lorcan Dooley joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast. Lorcan outlines the advice he’s giving to his clients with regards to winter feed, while […]
30 October 2023
C.O.W – culling the right cows for you
C.O.W – culling the right cows for you The opportunity to voluntary cull cows has markedly increased in recent years due to improved reproductive performance. Since the removal of quotas, 6-week calving rate has improved by nine percentage units to 66% in 2022, reducing the need to involuntary cull empty or late […]
30 October 2023
Preparation is key for dry cow therapy
Preparation is key for dry cow therapy Katie Doyle, Dairy Advisor, tells us that with the upcoming drying off season and new regulations in place, preparation is key in our approach to dry cow therapy (DCT). In 2022 under the new Veterinary Medicines Regulation EU2019/6, changes were made in how veterinary practices […]
29 October 2023
Achieving sustainable workloads on dairy farms
Achieving sustainable workloads on dairy farms Understanding labour time use on dairy farms is key to identifying strategies to reduce labour demand and establishing sustainable workloads. In recent years, Irish dairy farms have expanded to meet increased demand for dairy products, resulting in larger farms with greater requirements for labour input. Simultaneously, […]
28 October 2023
Wet weather grazing practices back in play on Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms
Wet weather grazing practices back in play on Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms Sandra Hayes, Co-ordinator of the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme, outlines how last week’s heavy rain has affected farmers, bringing about the rapid resumption of wet weather grazing practices. The weather has affected a number of things on all the farms. Many […]
24 October 2023
Successfully implementing selective dry cow therapy
Successfully implementing selective dry cow therapy Pablo Silva Bolona, mastitis researcher at Teagasc Moorepark, is on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss his research and recommendations into successfully implementing selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) on farms for the drying off season in 2023. Pablo first explains the concept of selective dry […]
23 October 2023
How these dairy farmers more than halved chemical nitrogen applications
How these dairy farmers more than halved chemical nitrogen applications As part of Signpost Sustainability Month, dairy farmers John and Brendan Walsh detail the evolution in their farming practices in an effort to improve the sustainability of their farm system. Joining Emma-Louise Coffey on a recent episode of the Dairy Edge podcast, […]
23 October 2023