Dairy
The cost of a missed heat
The cost of a missed heat George Ramsbottom,Teagasc Dairy Specialist and Laurence Shalloo, Teagasc Research Officer talk about the key reproductive targets in seasonal calving dairy herds. They discuss slippage in calving interval and the cost and consequences of a missed heat here Background The key reproductive targets in seasonal calving dairy […]
29 March 2021
Save time by altering your milk feeding strategy this spring
Save time by altering your milk feeding strategy this spring If carried out correctly, Once A Day milk-feeding is a practice that can greatly reduce the labour required during the rearing period. James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, states that numerous Teagasc research trials show a 25% – 36% reduction in labour input […]
19 March 2021
Using both dairy and beef AI
Using both dairy and beef AI Teagasc in conjunction with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is running a dairy breeding week this week. The focus of today’s videos is on Using both dairy and beef AI, from the start of the breeding season. Siobhan Ring, ICBF, and Hugh Egan, Dairy Farmer, […]
18 March 2021
Managing late calving cows to shorten calving interval
Managing late calving cows to shorten calving interval We are now only weeks away from the start of the 2021 breeding season. Whenever you intend commencing your breeding season, the management of late calvers is something that needs to be given some thought in order to avoid them calving late again in […]
17 March 2021
Top results with sexed semen
Top results with sexed semen Sexed semen can be successfully used to increase numbers of dairy female replacements born and to reduce the number of dairy bull calves born. Teagasc recommends that early calving younger cows or maiden heifers are most successfully bred to sexed semen. George Ramsbottom, Dairy Specialist explains In […]
16 March 2021
How to improve likelihood of success with sexed semen
How to improve likelihood of success with sexed semen Sexed semen provides many potential advantages to dairy farmers. The most obvious and compelling reason to use sexed semen is because of the sex bias induced in the calf crop. Stephen Butler, Teagasc, Moorepark has some advice as part of Teagasc / ICBF […]
16 March 2021
Breeding maiden heifers on the out farm
Breeding maiden heifers on the out farm Teagasc recommends that maiden heifers are bred with dairy AI as these are the most fertile animals in the herd and have the highest EBI. Make sure to target your heifers with sexed or conventional dairy AI to maximise the rate of genetic gain in […]
16 March 2021
Body condition score cows
Body condition score cows Body condition is critical to a successful breeding season. Identifying thin cows early allows steps to be taken to improve their body condition in good time. The first step is to body condition score all animals in the herd. The next step is to provide extra care and […]
16 March 2021
Feeding for Fertility
Feeding for Fertility The quality of feeding in the dry period and early lactation is important in achieving good herd fertility. Joe Patton, Dairy Specialist, has advice here on getting some key targets right. Nutrition plays a vital role in achieving good herd fertility. Quality of feeding in the dry period and […]
15 March 2021
Getting more cows in calf during the first three weeks of the breeding season – Webinar
Getting more cows in calf during the first three weeks of the breeding season – Webinar This Dairy Breeding Seminar webinar took place in April 2020. Dr. Stephen Moore, Teagasc Moorepark made a short presentation on recent research in the area of compact calving. Dr. Donal Patton, Teagasc Ballyhaise outlined the plans […]
15 March 2021