Articles
Teagasc Breeding Week 2024 commences
Teagasc Breeding Week 2024 commences The purpose of Teagasc Breeding Week, which takes place this week, from Monday, 25 March to Friday, 29 March, is to provide timely reminders to farmers on important genetic and technical issues underpinning a successful dairy breeding season. Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, Dr Joe […]
25 March 2024
Managing through a difficult spring
Managing through a difficult spring Mark Treacy advises on managing challenging spring weather conditions on farm by focusing on cow condition, feed stocks, and grassland management. Weather conditions continue to make this an extremely challenging spring. One thing we can be sure of is conditions will improve at some stage. For now […]
25 March 2024
Slow and steady approach delivers for suckler herd fertility
Slow and steady approach delivers for suckler herd fertility The correct breeding policy lays the foundation for profitability within suckler systems. Once you get it right, you are heading in the right direction. A successful suckler breeding policy is underpinned by a number of key performance indicators (KPIs), which – when achieved […]
25 March 2024
Is this the ideal grain crop?
Is this the ideal grain crop? Oat grain is supremely nutritious, the plant is resistant to take-all, it can compensate for a thin stand – and now we discover that oats grown here have an extremely low carbon footprint. Ciaran Collins,Teagasc tillage specialist, tells us more. Oats is primarily grown for animal […]
25 March 2024
MoSt predicted grass growth in PastureBase Ireland
MoSt predicted grass growth in PastureBase Ireland PastureBase Ireland is a grassland decision support tool available to all farmers in Ireland. Ciarán Hearn, Michael O’Donovan and Elodie Ruelle of the Teagasc Moorepark Grassland Department tells us on its latest developments. Since it began in 2013, it has undergone multiple changes and is […]
25 March 2024
Colostrum: The best way to improve lamb survival and performance
Colostrum: The best way to improve lamb survival and performance The most recent Teagasc Sheep newsletter emphasizes the importance of adequate colostrum intake for improving lamb survival and performance, outlining its benefits, necessary feeding rates and alternatives when insufficient. Adequate colostrum intake is the best way to improve lamb survival and performance. […]
24 March 2024
Establishing spring beans and barley
Establishing spring beans and barley Interest in spring beans is good due to the increased protein payment, favourable contract prices (€250), and a scarcity of spring seed. The protein payment rate will depend on the area planted but will be in the range of €350-€500/ha. Beans are more profitable than spring barley […]
24 March 2024
Confidence in the 16:8 milking interval split
Confidence in the 16:8 milking interval split Managing a dairy enterprise across two blocks in Co. Laois, Bernard Ging has operated a 16:8 milking interval since the farm’s conversion to milk production in 2012. Supported by two full-time staff, three relief milkers and students occasionally, Bernard finds that the 16:8 split has […]
23 March 2024
Reducing age of slaughter in beef cattle
Reducing age of slaughter in beef cattle Dr. Peter Lawrence, Teagasc Tinahely, discusses strategies for farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by lowering the slaughter age of cattle through improvements in genetics, nutrition, and health. Many farmers are aware of the Irish Governments Climate Action Plan and its strategies to reduce green-house […]
23 March 2024
Key actions to slow the development of anthelmintic resistance
Key actions to slow the development of anthelmintic resistance Glen Corbett discusses planning for sheep dosing during lambing season 2024, focusing on combating gastrointestinal nematodes (stomach worms) in lambs, highlighting the types of worms, their impact, and methods for effective worm control and treatment to combat anthelmintic resistance. With the lambing season […]
23 March 2024