Articles
Contract rearing in action
Contract rearing in action Collaborative Farming Specialist at Teagasc, Ruth Fennell takes a close look at how a contact rearing arrangement has been working out for two farmers in Co. Waterford over the past six years. James (Jimmy) Kearney and his son Michael farm 45ha (plus commonage) in Ballysaggart, Co. Waterford. They […]
19 August 2024
Use the Beef Welfare Scheme to limit stress at weaning
Use the Beef Welfare Scheme to limit stress at weaning Over the next few weeks, suckler farmers will be turning their attention towards the preparation of calves for weaning. Enda Maloney, Drystock Advisor in Teagasc Westport, tells us how the recently launched 2024 Beef Welfare Scheme can ease the stress on weanlings […]
19 August 2024
Finishing underway at Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm
Finishing underway at Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm With an ambition of producing in-spec steer and heifer beef originating from the dairy herd under a grass-based system, finishing of 2023-born animals has commenced on the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm. In a recent farm update, Technician to the […]
18 August 2024
August management tips on beef farms
August management tips on beef farms As we move towards autumn, there are a number of tasks that need to be completed before the winter housing period, Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, shares five key tips. 1). Scanning of suckler cows Bulls should have been removed from most spring-calving herds by mid-July, […]
18 August 2024
The importance of monitoring ewe body condition score
The importance of monitoring ewe body condition score Eamon Patten, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe, highlights the importance of body condition scoring your ewe flock, explaining that “with the right score, there is always a better chance of winning the match.” Most mid-season flocks have just completed weaning, with ewes on a restricted […]
18 August 2024
Making contract rearing a ‘win-win’ for all involved
Making contract rearing a ‘win-win’ for all involved Contracting out heifer rearing offers many benefits once both parties take time to draw up a tailor-made agreement that covers all the potential scenarios that can arise, Collaborative Farming Specialist at Teagasc, Ruth Fennell shares the key details. Cuts to organic nitrogen stocking rates, […]
17 August 2024
Signpost Update: Overcoming an ACRES setback and focusing on crop management
Signpost Update: Overcoming an ACRES setback and focusing on crop management Tom Barry, Signpost participant and tillage farmer from Co. Cork, gives an update on an ACRES setback on his farm, crop performance and early harvest progress. It’s been a few months since my last Signpost update at the start of April. […]
17 August 2024
Growing Wild: Scarlet Waxcap and Yellow Meadow Ants
Growing Wild: Scarlet Waxcap and Yellow Meadow Ants Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity, focusing this time on Scarlet Waxcap and Yellow Meadow Ants. Scarlet Waxcap Look out for scarlet waxcaps, one of our waxcap fungi found in tightly grazed areas […]
17 August 2024
200 farmers wanted for earlier finishing research project
200 farmers wanted for earlier finishing research project Over 200 beef farmers will have the opportunity to partake in the recently launched Beef-Quest research project. Along with identifying the barriers to achieving an earlier age of finish for beef cattle nationally, participating farmers can avail of a range of benefits. These benefits […]
16 August 2024
Empty days – a hidden but very real cost
Empty days – a hidden but very real cost Louise Clarke and Ciarán Carroll discuss how “non-productive days” (NPDs) in breeding sows impact herd efficiency and profitability, emphasizing the importance of managing factors like “not in pig” sows (NIPs), repeat breeding, and environmental conditions to minimize NPDs and improve productivity. Empty days […]
16 August 2024