Articles
Top results with sexed semen
Top results with sexed semen Sexed semen can be successfully used to increase numbers of dairy female replacements born and to reduce the number of dairy bull calves born. Teagasc recommends that early calving younger cows or maiden heifers are most successfully bred to sexed semen. George Ramsbottom, Dairy Specialist explains In […]
16 March 2021
How to improve likelihood of success with sexed semen
How to improve likelihood of success with sexed semen Sexed semen provides many potential advantages to dairy farmers. The most obvious and compelling reason to use sexed semen is because of the sex bias induced in the calf crop. Stephen Butler, Teagasc, Moorepark has some advice as part of Teagasc / ICBF […]
16 March 2021
Breeding maiden heifers on the out farm
Breeding maiden heifers on the out farm Teagasc recommends that maiden heifers are bred with dairy AI as these are the most fertile animals in the herd and have the highest EBI. Make sure to target your heifers with sexed or conventional dairy AI to maximise the rate of genetic gain in […]
16 March 2021
Body condition score cows
Body condition score cows Body condition is critical to a successful breeding season. Identifying thin cows early allows steps to be taken to improve their body condition in good time. The first step is to body condition score all animals in the herd. The next step is to provide extra care and […]
16 March 2021
Grass Tetany in Ewes
Grass Tetany in Ewes Grass Tetany is a common disease of lactating ewes during the spring time. It is an acute and frequently fatal condition that primarily affects lactating sheep at grass. This condition is caused by a deficiency in blood magnesium levels. Michael Gottstein, Teagasc, Head of Sheep has more information […]
16 March 2021
Feeding for Fertility
Feeding for Fertility The quality of feeding in the dry period and early lactation is important in achieving good herd fertility. Joe Patton, Dairy Specialist, has advice here on getting some key targets right. Nutrition plays a vital role in achieving good herd fertility. Quality of feeding in the dry period and […]
15 March 2021
Six point plan to successful breeding
Six point plan to successful breeding Have you received the new dairy breeding guidelines for the spring 2021 breeding season? The guidelines include six simple steps which if followed will ensure the continued improvement of your dairy herd into the future. Follw these 6 simple steps to improve your dairy herd […]
15 March 2021
Using LESS Gives More from Slurry
Using LESS Gives More from Slurry Cattle slurry is a valuable source of N, P & K produced on farm. Nitrogen (N) in cattle slurry is in a similar ammonia form to N in urea & is easily lost to the atmosphere. Teagasc Advisor Mark O’Sullivan has valuable information on the benefit […]
14 March 2021
Achieving high performance from grass this spring
Achieving high performance from grass this spring Given the weather conditions we’ve encountered this Spring, it can be hard to contemplate letting cattle out of their comfortable shed to grass. It is something that we must give serious consideration to. Donal McCabe, Drystock Advisor, Longford has some advice on getting cattle out […]
13 March 2021
New farm forests are backing biodiversity
New farm forests are backing biodiversity Ireland’s new forests are working to reverse the decline in our national biodiversity and strengthen environmental sustainability. Teagasc Forestry advisor, Noel Kennedy, explains how biodiversity protection and enhancement are at the heart of today’s young forests. Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action […]
12 March 2021