Articles
New study aims to get to grips with lameness
0 New study aims to get to grips with lameness On this week’s OviCast podcast, we’re joined by Jake Delaney, postgraduate student, and Dr. Frank Campion, Teagasc Researcher, to discuss a new project that aims to examine lameness and associated issues on Irish farms. Jake first outlines the common causes and issues around […]
4 April 2023
Tackling infectious lameness
0 Tackling infectious lameness With the majority of flocks experiencing cases each year, it’s unsurprising that infectious lameness is among the top health and welfare concerns for sheep farmers. Infectious lameness negatively impacts pregnancy rate, ewe body condition score (BCS) and lamb growth rate. Setbacks in any of these can result in significant […]
4 April 2023
Correct fertiliser application rates and cutting dates for first-cut silage
0 Correct fertiliser application rates and cutting dates for first-cut silage What happens on farm over the next few weeks will have a significant impact to silage stocks on dairy farms for next winter. James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, offers key advice on fertiliser application rates in this article. ‘Silage in the yard […]
3 April 2023
Breeding quality calves for repeat custom in Co. Meath
0 Breeding quality calves for repeat custom in Co. Meath Conor Smith milks 250 cows with his parents in Carlanstown, Co. Meath, producing 530kg of milk solids per cow last year from a herd of predominately high EBI Holstein Friesian cows. The herd’s average EBI value is €184. Split 75% spring and 25% […]
3 April 2023
One farmer’s tale of a fatal bull attack
0 One farmer’s tale of a fatal bull attack As of January 5th this year, 12 fatal farm workplace accidents were reported by the Health and Safety Authority in Ireland. Unfortunately this accounts for 50% of all workplace fatalities in Ireland, making farming Ireland’s most dangerous occupation. All farm accidents are tragic and […]
3 April 2023
What tree rings can tell us about climate change
0 What tree rings can tell us about climate change The rings of a tree are like a time capsule recording past environmental conditions and they provide an opportunity for scientists to understand how trees might respond to future climate change. Niall Farrelly, Hui Xing, Teagasc, and Brian Tobin, UCD, are currently conducting a dendrochronological study (a tree-ring dating […]
3 April 2023
The EBI: An Economic Breeding Index for the future
0 The EBI: An Economic Breeding Index for the future Breeding boasts the advantage of being a proven technology that has clearly been demonstrated over decades to be able to deliver changes in performance. The benefits from breeding cumulate over time and can be permanent. While an advantage, this can also be a […]
2 April 2023
Making sense of nitrogen use
0 Making sense of nitrogen use Oisin Coakley, Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme Advisor, tells us why the focus right now is on the right place and at the right time. The use of nitrogen fertiliser is getting lots of attention in recent months. Some of this can be attributed to the massive increase […]
2 April 2023
Improving beef potential from the dairy herd
0 Improving beef potential from the dairy herd Regardless of cow type, there is the potential within dairy herds for a better beef breeding policy, Dr. Nicky Byrne, dairy beef researcher in Teagasc Grange, told the recent DairyBeef 500 Spring Conference in Navan, Co. Meath. “There is massive variation in the quality of […]
1 April 2023
Challenge into opportunity
0 Challenge into opportunity A setback generated new perspectives for this large scale beef farmer. Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme, tells us more. In November 2020, in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, John Barry’s farm near Nenagh in Co Tipperary had a TB outbreak. Clear for many years, the farm was immediately […]
1 April 2023