Dairy
Evaluation of how chlorine-free cleaning protocols for milking equipment are applied on farms
Evaluation of how chlorine-free cleaning protocols for milking equipment are applied on farms A requirement for chlorine-free cleaning of milking equipment on-farm has been adopted by milk processors since January 2021. To address this scenario (and to compensate for the removal of chlorine), five new milking machine cleaning protocols have been developed […]
23 October 2023
Assessing silage quantity and quality
Assessing silage quantity and quality Last week’s rainfall has forced many if not most dairy farmers to house cows on silage. In many cases, grazing will and should continue at least by day for a few weeks more, however conserved forage is now part of the cows’ diet until next spring. Joe […]
23 October 2023
How to achieve a greater work-life balance through reduced milking frequency
How to achieve a greater work-life balance through reduced milking frequency Dairy farmer Aidan Ahearne joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the practical implementation of 10 in 7 milking frequency on his farm. He outlines the benefits to work-life balance and animal welfare it brings, while also […]
16 October 2023
Impact of changes to Nitrates Derogation
Impact of changes to Nitrates Derogation The EU Commission decision to reduce the upper limit on organic N from 250kg N per ha to 220kg N per ha for Nitrates Derogation farms in designated catchment areas will have significant consequences for many dairy farms in 2024 and beyond. The Teagasc Nitrogen Report […]
16 October 2023
Investing in new genetics to improve herd performance
Investing in new genetics to improve herd performance James Dunne, Teagasc Winter Milk Specialist, looks at an option available to farmers this autumn to improve and accelerate the genetic potential of their herds. One question which is often asked at farm level is where to invest in the farm to get the […]
10 October 2023
Assess your starting point before committing to ‘panicky’ derogation solutions
0 Assess your starting point before committing to ‘panicky’ derogation solutions With the upper limit of the nitrates derogation to reduce to 220kg of organic nitrogen per hectare from January 1, 2024 for some locations, farmers have been urged to study their own farm’s organic nitrogen figures carefully to see what impact – […]
9 October 2023
The dairy farmers leading sustainability efforts
0 The dairy farmers leading sustainability efforts As part of Sustainability Week, dairy farmers John and Brendan Walsh join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the evolution in their farming practices in an effort to improve the sustainability of the farm system. Brendan explains that, while […]
9 October 2023
Dairy farm management tips for the autumn ahead
0 Dairy farm management tips for the autumn ahead John McCabe, Teagasc-Aurivo Joint Programme, tells us that wet weather, milk price and policy are causing a lot of frustration to dairy farmers but we need to continue to think about improving the running of our systems. John provides some management hints for the […]
8 October 2023
Survey of milking equipment and milking management practices on Irish dairy farm
0 Survey of milking equipment and milking management practices on Irish dairy farm Alice Walsh, Pablo Silva Bolona and John Upton tell us how recent expansion of dairy herd size has posed challenges with regard to milking times, milking technique and mastitis control strategies. There is a gap in knowledge with regard to […]
6 October 2023
Unlocking the potential of heavy soils dairy farms
0 Unlocking the potential of heavy soils dairy farms Improving soil fertility, grazing infrastructure, grazing management and herd genetics are key priorities in the Teagasc Heavy Soils Programme. James Dunne Teagasc Dairy Knowledge Transfer Specialist tells us more. One common question when dealing with farms which are of moderate to poorly drained soil […]
2 October 2023