Articles
Managing through the cold spell
Managing through the cold spell As temperatures are expected to remain near freezing over the coming days, proactive measures are needed at farm level. Severe weather challenges all of us. Activities that we take for granted can become difficult or even hazardous when severe weather occurs. However, by taking some simple steps, […]
16 January 2024
CMT for peace of mind post calving
CMT for peace of mind post calving The risks around calving are great, with the management of cubicles and calving boxes of high importance. In this article, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, details how early Californian Milk Testing (CMT) will facilitate early identification of mastitis infections. Having clean, dry cubicles, achieved through […]
15 January 2024
Breeding better beef calves for sale
Breeding better beef calves for sale With uncertainty facing the future of calf exports and the potential need for some dairy farms to move animals earlier on account of nitrates changes, Alan Dillion, DairyBeef 500 Co-Ordinator, explained that the onus is on dairy farmers to breed a better quality beef calf to […]
15 January 2024
Liver fluke at ‘worrying’ levels in the North West
Liver fluke at ‘worrying’ levels in the North West Following a wet and mild year, the levels of liver fluke being witnessed on sheep farms in the North West has been described as being at ‘worrying’ levels. On the Let’s Talk Sheep Webinar, held on January 10th, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, Ciaran Lynch […]
15 January 2024
SCEP: Knowing the worth of full compliance
SCEP: Knowing the worth of full compliance Modifications to the calculation of the EuroStar indexes for cattle have left many suckler farmers in a state of confusion, particularly those enrolled in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), writes James Fitzgerald, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballina. Recent changes made to the calculation of the […]
14 January 2024
Now is the time to get soil sampling
Now is the time to get soil sampling Stephen O’Callaghan, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, tells us why soil sampling and analysis are crucial for Derogation and ACRES schemes, essential for fertiliser allowances, and guide decisions on slurry, lime, and nutrient management for the next four years. Soil sampling and analysis establishes the soils […]
14 January 2024
Burnout in the barnyard
Burnout in the barnyard John McNamara, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, Siobhán O’Connor, DCU, and Emma Dillon, Teagasc REDP tell us how farmers are at risk from stress and mental exhaustion, A research team at Dublin City University (DCU) working with Teagasc and funded by DAFM, has been studying farmers’ mental health. […]
14 January 2024
Time to appreciate the value of your cattle slurry
Time to appreciate the value of your cattle slurry Joining Teagasc Dairy Edge host Dr Emma-Louise Coffey on a recent episode of the weekly podcast, Dr William Burchill, FBD Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture at UCC, said that a rethink on the way slurry is managed on some farms is required. With the […]
13 January 2024
Preparing for calf rearing with DairyBeef 500
Preparing for calf rearing with DairyBeef 500 The Teagasc DairyBeef 500 team, along with stakeholders and programme farmers, will host two live online webinars on preparing for calf rearing this spring on Tuesday, January 16, and Tuesday, January 30. Both webinars begin at 8pm. The webinars will focus on sourcing good quality […]
13 January 2024
Planting hedges and enhancing biodiversity on John Barry’s farm
Planting hedges and enhancing biodiversity on John Barry’s farm John joined the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) in 2022 and selected a number of actions to help water quality and promote biodiversity on his farm. He installed a 1.5m riparian strip along two main watercourses, selected three fields for extensively grazed pasture, […]
13 January 2024