Dairy
How milking efficiency facilitates an off-farm job
How milking efficiency facilitates an off-farm job Patrick Gowing, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, recently visited two farms with varying milking systems to find out how both systems work for them and their families in tandem with off-farm employment. Generally, there are two options to achieve greater efficiency when milking cows. You can build […]
28 May 2024
Managing grass and herd nutrition in mid-season
Managing grass and herd nutrition in mid-season A recent webinar organised by the Teagasc Dairy Specialist team looked at managing grass and herd nutrition in mid-season. Host Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Dr Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc; Joseph Dunphy, Teagasc Grass10 Advisor; and Evan Hunt, […]
27 May 2024
The Importance of a good Milking Routine
The Importance of a good Milking Routine Pádraig O Connor discusses the importance of a good milking routine for efficiency, hygiene, and cow productivity. The milking routine from start to finish has an important bearing on the efficient and hygienic removal of milk from the udder. Milking starts when you begin collecting […]
27 May 2024
Are you leaving milk solids behind?
Are you leaving milk solids behind? Failing to provide dairy cows with grass at the optimum pre-grazing yield could be hitting the income potential on some dairy farms. Joining James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, on a recent episode of the Dairy Edge podcast, Senior Research Officer, Dr Michael Dineen touched on the […]
26 May 2024
Don’t obsess about peak milk, obsess about grass quality to drive milk solids
Don’t obsess about peak milk, obsess about grass quality to drive milk solids Many dairy farmers have raised questions on how best to feed their cows to optimise milk production during the mid-season, especially after a challenging spring, which has tapered milk yield peaks on some farms. Joining the recent ‘Managing grass […]
24 May 2024
Maintaining grass and silage quality on Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms
Maintaining grass and silage quality on Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms After a good recovery in grass growth last week, Co-Ordinator of the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme, Sandra Hayes tells us how the monitor farmers are maintaining grass quality and are planning to balance silage quality and quantity. A key aim on the programme […]
21 May 2024
Over 13,000 sign up to improve dairy-beef breeding
Over 13,000 sign up to improve dairy-beef breeding A total of 13,155 applications were received for the CSP Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme, a scheme which offers a financial incentive to dairy farmers to use sires of higher genetic merit. With a maximum payment rate of €1,000 available, successful applicants are required to […]
21 May 2024
A deep dive into pasture quality with Dr Mike Dineen
A deep dive into pasture quality with Dr Mike Dineen The improvement in growth rates and grazing conditions has turned the focus to correcting grass quality to make sure herds meet their nutritional needs throughout the breeding season. For this week’s Dairy Edge podcast, Teagasc Senior Research Officer, Dr Mike Dineen joins […]
20 May 2024
Optimising your summer stocking rate
Optimising your summer stocking rate Grazing conditions have been difficult this spring and, as a result, grass quality on a lot of farms needs correction, writes James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, who offers tips on optimising your summer stocking rate for the June to August period to maximise herd performance. Best practice […]
20 May 2024
FRS Training: Best Practice in Milking
FRS Training: Best Practice in Milking Attracta Dooley from FRS Training and Chloe Walsh, a secondary school teacher who helps her husband Pat on their farm outside Durrow in Co. Laois, join Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to talk about the upcoming FRS Training Best Practice in Milking Courses. […]
18 May 2024