Dairy
Timing is everything
Timing is everything “Right place, right time” or a perfectly timed tackle, timing is everything. This is also true for insemination with sexed semen. Getting it right can make a difference. Stuart Childs explains why. Sexed semen has grown in popularity in recent years and has increased dramatically in the last 2-3 […]
28 March 2025
Breeding healthier, more efficient cows with John and Brendan Walsh
Breeding healthier, more efficient cows with John and Brendan Walsh John and Brendan Walsh are focused on breeding healthier, more efficient cows through a strategic approach to sire and cow selection. Participants in the Teagasc/Dairygold Joint Programme and farming in Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary, calving commenced on the farm in January 18th and […]
27 March 2025
Ensuring the best performance from synchronisation programmes
Ensuring the best performance from synchronisation programmes Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, Stuart Childs takes a closer look at synchronisation programmes and offers tips on how to ensure maximum performance. Synchronisation of heifers, but also of cows to a lesser degree, has become increasingly popular in recent years. This is associated with the […]
26 March 2025
Breeding strategies to enhance herd sustainability, profitability and efficiency
Breeding strategies to enhance herd sustainability, profitability and efficiency In an effort to ensure breeding strategies are implemented to enhance herd sustainability, profitability and efficiency, all dairy farmers will receive a copy of the ICBF and Teagasc Breeding Guidelines in the post over the coming days. As the 2025 dairy breeding season […]
25 March 2025
The Next Generation Herd II
The Next Generation Herd II The Next Generation Herd study explores sustainable dairy farming through high-genetic-merit cows. It has driven breakthroughs in productivity, efficiency, and breeding strategies, tackling climate change and methane emissions. Dr Brian McCarthy and Prof Frank Buckley tell us about the next phase. The Next Generation Herd (NGH) was […]
25 March 2025
Irish Dairy Breeding with the ICBF’s Sean Coughlan
Irish Dairy Breeding with the ICBF’s Sean Coughlan Sean Coughlan, CEO of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss Irish dairy, dairy beef breeding and everything in between. Sean discusses the National Genotyping Programme, the changes that they have made to improve for […]
24 March 2025
Maximising Beef without Compromising on Calving
Maximising Beef without Compromising on Calving Beef from the dairy herd makes up nearly 66% of the national kill in Ireland. This proportion will likely increase in the future. Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, and Dan O’Riordan, ICBF, explain how farmers can balance easy calving with strong beef traits, getting the best […]
24 March 2025
Dairy breeding tips for the coming season
Dairy breeding tips for the coming season Have you selected your AI bull team for the 2025 breeding season? Niamh Lynch, a Dairy Advisor based in Teagasc Longford, has some key tips to make this task easier. A lot of effort goes into selecting the AI bulls being used on dairy farms […]
23 March 2025
5 things to consider when deciding on installing a robot
5 things to consider when deciding on installing a robot As labour is in short supply, interest in robotic milking has increased over recent years. Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, Patrick Gowing shares 5 things you should consider when looking at robotic milking. Most farmers will now consider the option of robotic milking […]
17 March 2025
Choosing the right cows for breeding
Choosing the right cows for breeding Much time and effort is put into choosing the AI bull each year and rightly so; however, are you putting as much effort into choosing the right cows to breed from? Ultimately, the bull is only half the story, and choosing the right cows is also […]
16 March 2025