Articles

Feed a good pre-calving mineral

Feed a good pre-calving mineral What price do you put on cows that calve down with no issues, no retained cleanings, plenty of milk, a vigorous calf, don’t suffer from milk fever and most importantly, go back in calf? That is the value you place on a good quality mineral. Every extra […]
31 December 2023

Part-time dairy farm employees – developing mutually beneficial working relationships

Part-time dairy farm employees – developing mutually beneficial working relationships To remain competitive with other sectors, it is necessary for dairy farms to become more attractive workplaces, and to meet the changing career-lifestyle expectations of the available workforce. The increase in dairy farm scale since milk quota abolition has created new employment […]
30 December 2023

Liver fluke in sheep

Liver fluke in sheep Glen Corbett, Teagasc, tells us that with the recent wet weather, liver fluke is a parasite that thrives. In fact, alarm bells should be ringing on sheep farms. This is an issue in both cattle and sheep, but sheep are often hit hardest by it. It effects all […]
30 December 2023

Signpost cattle farms lead the way

Signpost cattle farms lead the way Dr. Siobhán Kavanagh, Signpost Programme Communications & Engagement Specialist, discussed the Signpost Programme, which aims to help cattle farmers adopt sustainable practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions at the Teagasc Beef Conference 2023. Summary The Signpost cattle farmers have adopted many of the […]
29 December 2023

Five steps to get started in forestry

Five steps to get started in forestry Planting land is a major decision and you should be satisfied that the establishment option you choose is right for you, explains Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Advisor, who highlights five steps to get started in forestry. 1. Talk to your local Teagasc forestry advisor This […]
29 December 2023

Insights from the Finnish pig industry

Insights from the Finnish pig industry Johannes Vugts, Senior Advisor with HKScan Finland Oy, tells us how Finnish producers already have more than 20 years of experience with keeping undocked pigs, as tail docking has been totally forbidden in Finnish pork production since 2003. Finnish production is mainly for the local market. […]
29 December 2023

Pre-calving feeding impacts on calf health – latest findings

Pre-calving feeding impacts on calf health – latest findings The effects of dairy cow feeding on calf health are mediated through colostrum formation and, consequently, calf immunity, and, ultimately, mortality. The nutritional adequacy of the forage and supplementary diet fed and the metabolic status and body condition score (BCS) of the dam […]
28 December 2023

Black grass and how to eliminate it from your farm

Black grass and how to eliminate it from your farm Grass weeds are a problem on almost all farms in Ireland and the scale of the increase and the measures necessary to control them is less well known. Black grass is in every county in the country and while it can be […]
28 December 2023

Weed control and monitoring the BYDV challenge

Weed control and monitoring the BYDV challenge Very few winter cereal crops have received any herbicides so far in 2023. In this article, Shay Phelan, Teagasc Crops Specialist, looks at the options for weed control in winter barley, wheat and oilseed rape. While many will opt for spring applications for winter barley, […]
28 December 2023

An ideal time to review performance on your beef farm

An ideal time to review performance on your beef farm Now is the time to reflect on the strengths of your beef farming enterprise in 2023, and to identify any changes or improvements that can be made in the year ahead, writes Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist. Like many years, 2023 has […]
27 December 2023