Articles
C.O.W – culling the right cows for you
C.O.W – culling the right cows for you The opportunity to voluntary cull cows has markedly increased in recent years due to improved reproductive performance. Since the removal of quotas, 6-week calving rate has improved by nine percentage units to 66% in 2022, reducing the need to involuntary cull empty or late […]
30 October 2023
Creatures of the Night – the truth about bats in Ireland
Creatures of the Night – the truth about bats in Ireland With Halloween upon us, on the latest Environment Edge podcast, we investigate the interesting life of bats and why they are so important to Irish farmers. Dr Tina Aughney, working with Bat Conservation Ireland and an Ecologist that specialises in bat survey […]
30 October 2023
Is organic farming profitable?
Is organic farming profitable? With the reopening of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), many farmers are wondering is organic farming profitable. Enda O’Hart tells us more. Based on 2022 figures comparing organic and conventional beef farms, we find that organic farming is more profitable, that organic farmers are less intensely stocked, have […]
30 October 2023
Preparation is key for dry cow therapy
Preparation is key for dry cow therapy Katie Doyle, Dairy Advisor, tells us that with the upcoming drying off season and new regulations in place, preparation is key in our approach to dry cow therapy (DCT). In 2022 under the new Veterinary Medicines Regulation EU2019/6, changes were made in how veterinary practices […]
29 October 2023
Creating a unique advantage with beef and tillage in east Cork
Creating a unique advantage with beef and tillage in east Cork Located just outside Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, Pat Collins operates a sizeable calf to beef and tillage enterprise, which centres on the use of home-grown feeds – whether grazed or ensiled grass or tillage crops – to create a resilient and profitable […]
29 October 2023
The successful ‘back to basics’ approach of farming in the Burren
The successful ‘back to basics’ approach of farming in the Burren Analysis: The BurrenLIFE project developed a blueprint for sustainable farming to meet the needs of both farmers and the environment. This article, by Anne Kinsella, Teagasc was first published recently on RTÉ Brainstorm. The Burren is famous for its exposed limestone […]
29 October 2023
Achieving sustainable workloads on dairy farms
Achieving sustainable workloads on dairy farms Understanding labour time use on dairy farms is key to identifying strategies to reduce labour demand and establishing sustainable workloads. In recent years, Irish dairy farms have expanded to meet increased demand for dairy products, resulting in larger farms with greater requirements for labour input. Simultaneously, […]
28 October 2023
Balancing silage quality and concentrate feeding on calf to beef farms
Balancing silage quality and concentrate feeding on calf to beef farms Grass silage is an important winter feed in calf to beef systems. Balancing this forage with the correct quantity/quality of concentrate is key to achieving the desired winter weight gains. Why complete a silage analysis? The starting point in balancing calf […]
28 October 2023
Using poultry manures on tillage farms – a win-win opportunity
Using poultry manures on tillage farms – a win-win opportunity Building stable and healthy relationships between tillage and poultry enterprises will create a win-win for both, John Mahon, Teagasc Signpost Tillage Advisor, told those attending the recent Signpost Programme Poultry event in Monasterboice, Co. Louth. John explained: “There are opportunities for tillage […]
28 October 2023
Moorepark weighs in on farrowing room feeding
Moorepark weighs in on farrowing room feeding Aisling Holmes & Kieran Keane presented recently at the Teagasc Pig Farmers’ Conference 2023. They spoke about how productivity on Irish pig farms is always improving, and some practices in the farrowing house in Moorepark that help sustain and enhance these production improvements. Productivity on […]
27 October 2023