Dairy
Now is the time for lime
Now is the time for lime Stuart Childs highlights the importance of spreading lime to optimize soil pH and improve fertiliser response for increased grass production and reduced fodder costs, alongside guidelines for nitrogen application before the closed season. There is much talk of fertiliser in recent days with the minister’s decision […]
29 July 2024
Learnings from 2024 – have you enough high quality silage?
Learnings from 2024 – have you enough high quality silage? A delayed turnout on many farms over the course of spring 2024 has reaffirmed the requirement of having adequate stocks of high quality silage available to support cows during early lactation when grazing isn’t possible. But how much is required? As part […]
29 July 2024
Sexed semen accounted for over 20% of dairy AI serves in 2024
Sexed semen accounted for over 20% of dairy AI serves in 2024 The use of sexed semen has significantly increased on dairy herds over recent years, visitors to the Ballyhaise’24 – Dairy Open Day heard, with such serves accounting for over 20% of dairy AI in 2024. Sexed semen, the usage of […]
28 July 2024
Futureproofing Irish dairy systems at Ballyhaise
Futureproofing Irish dairy systems at Ballyhaise Ballyhaise Farm hosted a major open day on July 24, where the latest technologies available to Irish farmers to futureproof dairy systems were shared. Welcoming farmers to the event, John Kelly, Principal of Ballyhaise Agricultural College, highlighted why addressing the challenge of sustainability is paramount. He […]
26 July 2024
Signpost Farmer update: Alex and Michael McCarthy
Signpost Farmer update: Alex and Michael McCarthy Dairy farming in Feenagh, Co. Limerick, Signpost Programme participants Alex and Michael McCarthy tell us of the happenings on their farm over the month of July, where the focus centred on finishing the breeding season, grassland management, fertiliser applications and calf health. Production and breeding […]
25 July 2024
69% drop in Dairy Family Farm Income in 2023
69% drop in Dairy Family Farm Income in 2023 Representative of over 15,000 dairy farms nationally, the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) 2023 has shown that the average Family Farm Income on dairy farms last year was €49,432 – a decline of 69% or in excess of €105,000 on year previous levels. […]
23 July 2024
Transitioning to low chemical N input clover swards at Ballyhaise
Transitioning to low chemical N input clover swards at Ballyhaise In advance of this week’s Ballyhaise Open Day, taking place on Wednesday, July 24 from 10am, the project team summarise the current trial on clover grazing systems, share early results and look at the implications this research may hold. The financial landscape […]
22 July 2024
Better Farming for Water
Better Farming for Water Cathal Somers, Teagasc Water Quality Specialist, and Deirdre Glynn, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor in Kilkenny, and hosts of the Environment Edge podcast, join Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the recently launched Teagasc campaign for water quality, Better Farming for Water. Deirdre first explains where water […]
22 July 2024
A place for white clover in the ‘BMW’ region?
A place for white clover in the ‘BMW’ region? After developing and sharing blueprints for profitable grazing dairy systems in the Border, Midlands and West (BMW) region, the attention at Ballyhaise Farm turned to white clover in 2020. Now in its third full year of production, Grassland Researcher at Ballyhaise, Donal Patton […]
21 July 2024
The importance of changing teat liners
The importance of changing teat liners The milking machine is the most important machine on a dairy farm and its maintenance is vital for safe and efficient milking. As part of this maintenance, the teat liners need to be changed regularly, Padraig O’Connor tells us more. The teat liner is the only […]
15 July 2024