The ICBF's Andrew Cromie and Siobhan Ring join the Dairy Edge podcast this week to discuss the new Dairy Beef Index (DBI). Firstly Andrew explains the DBI is a breeding index that will promote high quality beef cattle from the dairy herd with minimal consequences to calving difficulty and gestation length in dairy cows. Siobhan explains that the DBI has a role in dairy herds after breeding for replacements using the EBI. She also explains the ranking of bulls within the DBI as it ranks beef bull...
Apr 23, 2019•12 min
Dairy specialist Stuart Childs joins Emma-Louise Coffey to explain the various steps to optimise breeding performance for your farm. Stuart identifies 3-week submission rate as the most important KPI for farmers to target. He considers the length of time to mating start date which is anywhere between 10 and 20 days away. Stuart recommends tail painting the whole herd and addressing cows who fail to cycle. Many farmers have changed the calving date on their farms following the difficult spring in...
Apr 15, 2019•20 min
In part 2 of our interview with John McNamara, we find out about the grassland management on John's dairy farm. John explains that the grazing season starts in August of the previous year. He starts extending his grazing rotation and building farm cover in August, hitting peak farm cover in later September and closing the farm from at an appropriate cover to carry grass into the spring. He explains that the farm is heavy meaning the shoulder periods of the grazing season can be a challenge. John...
Apr 08, 2019•11 min
2018 Grass 10 champion John McNamara joins Emma-Louise Coffey to talk through his farming career and some of the people who have helped him along the way. John explains that the farm has been in the McNamara family for three generations and he considers the changes that have taken place over the last 20 years since he returned home farming. At that time the McNamaras were milking between 50-60 cows on a 25 ha platform. John and his wife Olive now milk 250 cows on a land base of 116 ha. John expl...
Apr 01, 2019•20 min
Kevin Downing from ICBF joins us this week to with his top tips for sire selection for the upcoming breeding season. He suggests key traits to consider are high EBI cows with early calving date. For sire selection whether using daughter proven or genomically selected sires, farmers should select high EBI bulls with high sub-indices for areas of importance for herd. Higher EBI offspring will produce more profit with each €1 additional EBI = €2 additional profit. Kevin explains the recommendation ...
Mar 25, 2019•16 min
On this week's episode of The Dairy Edge podcast, Johnstown Castle dairy farm manager Aidan Lawless gives an update on the performance of the Johnstown Castle herd. Firstly Aidan gives an insight into the current performance of the autumn calving herd. Cows were out at grass since January 10th which is uncharacteristic but Aidan explained with the mild winter and high overwinter growth, there was a high cover of grass and good ground conditions. Aidan explained that the breeding season had gone ...
Mar 15, 2019•19 min
Grass 10 campaign manager John Maher joins us to give an update on grazing conditions across the country and his top tips for the rest of spring grazing rotation. John recalls the perfect grazing conditions experience in the month of February which allowed many farmers to hit the target 30% grazed by March 1st. He explained that this was demonstrated particularly well on farms that had optimum stocking rate and high 6 week calving rates. The mixed weather including heavy rainfall and snow during...
Mar 11, 2019•19 min
Vet Doreen Corridan joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge, to discuss the benefits of measuring herd performance through milk recording. Doreen quantifies the economic benefit of milk recording to the tune of €23,000 from a 100 cow herd compared with herds that don’t milk record. With approximately 50% of dairy herds in Ireland, there are substantial financial gains to be achieved on many dairy farms across the country. Where is the additional €23,000 coming from? Dor...
Mar 04, 2019•19 min
Dairy Farmer, Peter Hynes, joins Emma-Louise Coffey to talk about a fundraising initiative 'Rearing To Go' that aims to help raise awareness of mental health on the farm. Peter is well known in farming circles for speaking out on his own struggles with mental health and depression. He reminds us that the Spring can be a busy and stressful time on farms and it could lead to stress among farmers. His top tips are to eat well, sleep well, use the contractor to reduce workload, and get off the farm ...
Feb 25, 2019•19 min
The Brexit deadline is ticking and with so many questions still in the air for Irish agriculture, we spoke to Teagasc's Head of Rural Economy and Development, Kevin Hanrahan, to explain the potential outcomes. A crash out scenario will have a significant impact on the Irish agricultural sector, Kevin explains, saying the magnitude is greatest for the beef sector with a 20% decline in carcass price compared with less than 10% to milk price. The uncertainty surrounding Brexit makes it incredibly h...
Feb 17, 2019•28 min
Soil and plant nutrition specialist, Mark Plunkett, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week's Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the upward trends in soil fertility across Irish soils. Mark highlights the increased lime usage, resulting in a greater proportion of soils at optimum of pH 6.3 or greater and explains that optimum pH gives rise to improved nutrient uptake and consequently, higher grass production. While Phosphorous and Potassium levels are improving on farms, there is still a lot of room fo...
Feb 11, 2019•13 min
Dairy advisor, Richard O'Brien, gives advice on how to best manage grassland for the month of February. Richard explains that there is a lot of grass on dairy farms, with approximately 30% more grass on farms compared with this time last year. With that in mind, Richard encourages all farmers to get out to see what grass is on farm and target the lighter covers in order to get 30% grazed by March 1st. When reflecting on the Spring Rotation Planner, Richard challenges farmers to hit 15% by Februa...
Feb 01, 2019•12 min
Drystock farmer (contract rearer and sheep) John O’Connell and drystock advisor Tom Coll join Emma-Louise Coffey to discuss contract rearing. Tom explains the various arrangements between rearers and dairy cow farmers and explores the various topics discussed at discussion group and the targets the group set for themselves including target weights, fertility and grassland management. Tom identifies the contract as the most important element of the agreement so that both parties have understandin...
Jan 28, 2019•17 min
This week we're joined by Michael Dineen, who explains the research investigating the true value of grazed grass, identifying the limiting nutrients available to grazing dairy cows. Michael takes an in-depth look at the different components of the grass plant including the protein content (Crude Protein, CP) and fibre content (Neutral Detergent Fibre, NDF). He highlights the nutritional quality of grass and the competitive advantage arising from the ability to grow and utilise large quantities o...
Jan 18, 2019•16 min
How do you attract and identify staff for your dairy farm? On this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast, Paidi Kelly from Teagasc, along with dairy farm owner, Diarmuid Hegarty, and dairy farm operator, Cormac Desmond, joined us to help identify the key characteristics. Paidi explains the context of hiring staff on farms, arising predominantly from the expansion in the dairy herd - an additional 300,000 cows since 2010. Coupled with this, the availability of labour has reduced significantly....
Jan 14, 2019•19 min
Preparation is key to minimising workload and stress that dairy farmers often experience on farms during the spring period and labour researcher Marion Beecher from Teagasc Moorepark highlights some of the ways that labour demand can be reduced. Six-week calving rate is increase steadily on dairy farming meaning there are more cows calving in a shorter period of time putting a greater demand on resources such as facilities and labour. Practices during the calving season such as once-a-day milkin...
Jan 07, 2019•12 min
In the face of climate change, the Dairy Edge wanted to find out just what are the environmental implications of dairy farming practices. We spoke to William Burchill about how to tackle this issue on the farm whilst also achieving higher profitability. By way of context, William explained what was included in the Paris agreement and what it means for the farming community - Ireland has committed to reducing overall Greenhouse Gas emissions by 30% by the year 2030 relative to base year of 2005. ...
Jan 02, 2019•14 min
As we reach the end of the calendar year, we thought it was a good opportunity for the Dairy Edge to take a look at the major events that impacted on the dairy industry across the year of 2018. Pat Dillon, Head of Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation and Michael Egan, Grassland Researcher, both from Teagasc Moorepark took us on a journey that started back in January. Pat reflected on the milk produced in the country this year, with a national figure of 7.6 billion litres, Irish dairy...
Dec 26, 2018•23 min
Animal Welfare researcher Natalie Roadknight from the University of Melbourne, gave insight into the dairy industry in Australia and the main animal welfare challenges facing their dairy sector. Natalie began by explaining that Australia is experiencing a persistent drought which is placing significant pressure on farm in the form of feed availability and costs. Natalie turned her attention to the welfare of young calves, acknowledging the key management practices for newborn calves with particu...
Dec 17, 2018•14 min
Stephen Butler joins us to discuss the role of sexed semen in Irish dairy herds. Stephen gave an insight into the sexed semen trial that took place during the breeding season of 2018. He explained the differences compared with the 2013 trial including the increase in semen quantity from 2 million to 4 million sperm. Conception rates from sexed straws remain lower than conventional straws, with a relative conception rate of 76% which is similar to previous studies. Stephen addressed the cost of s...
Dec 07, 2018•16 min
John Maher and Fergus Bogue from the Grass10 team join us to examine the current grassland situation on farm. Fergus explains that the average dairy farm on PastureBase has hit an average farm cover of 600kg DM/ha and his advice is to stop grazing immediately! Fergus explains that it is important to carry grass through the winter for spring gracing and estimates each day at grass will be worth in excess of €3 per cow in the spring. John Maher recaps on the grass situation for the year, citing th...
Nov 30, 2018•13 min
Dairy Specialist George Ramsbottom takes a look at the key areas that farmers should focus on to improve farm profitability in 2019, based on his analysis of the Profit Monitor. Farmers can influence income in the form of milk composition and quality - higher fat and protein constituents and low SCC is worth up to 4-5 c/l, giving additional income of €225 per cow. George gives a guide as to what some of the main costs should look like. Firstly, concentrate should be 3-4c/l or €150-200/cow, pract...
Nov 26, 2018•14 min
This week, Brian Garry discusses the main factors to consider for extending lactation of dairy cows through the winter months. Brian considers the feed situation on individual farms and concludes that where there is a feed deficit, extending lactation won’t work. Brian recommends high quality silage for lactating cows, in excess of 72 DMD and noted that farmers must feed high levels of supplement with poor quality to maintain milk yield and constituents. He also identifies calving date and condi...
Nov 16, 2018•11 min
This week, James McDonnell gives advice on the steps farmers should take to establish the cash flow situation on their farm and address cash deficits where they arise. James highlighted the impact of the many weather events this year on farm finances and the great need to take stock of the current situation. His advice is act early, be realistic with expected income and expenditure, consult with your advisor and/or accountant and decide on a course of action to get you from now until the spring....
Nov 09, 2018•18 min
Tom O’Dwyer joins us to preview the National Dairy Conference that will take place in on November 27th in Rochestown Park, Cork and 28th in Hudson Bay, Athlone. Tom explains that the title of this years conference ‘Making Dairy Farming More Sustainable’ will take a holistic view of farm business, exploring the economic, environmental and social sustainability of dairy farm businesses. There is an opportunity to reflect on the spring and summer of 2018 and the impact the two seasons had on your f...
Nov 05, 2018•12 min
UCD dairy lecturer Karina Pierce joins us on the Dairy Edge to give an insight into the rationale behind the high input-high output research herd at UCD Lyons Farm. Some of the key factors that have prompted the study are limitations to dairy production such as land availability, labour and environmental constraints. Karina explains the ambitious targets set out including high EBI cows and a high level of fertility performance in a spring-calving grass based production systems as well as achievi...
Oct 25, 2018•15 min
There has been an increase in forage crops as a means to bridge the forage deficit on farms in Ireland as forage crops can grow large quantities of feed over a short time period and Teagasc's Research Officer, Nicky Byrne, gives an insight into the management of forage crops ahead of the winter period. Nicky discusses the feed quality of popular forage crops and advises farmers to consider providing a bolus to stock in order to ensure mineral requirements are met. Plus, get practical tips on dai...
Oct 19, 2018•15 min
Ahead of the Dry Cow events that will take place across Ireland this Autumn, Mastitis expert Don Crowley speaks about the importance of the dry period and its impact on future production and profit potential. Don looks at the key management factors leading up to dry off, the treatment process and after dry cow therapy. He also explains good preparation, hygiene and making sure you have enough help are key factors for successful dry cow treatment, all within farmers control! Finally, Don gives an...
Oct 12, 2018•17 min
On this week's episode of The Dairy Edge podcast, Joe Patton gives an overview of the scale of winter fodder deficit on farms across the country. Joe explains that the fodder deficit is greatest in the south and south west of the country. He suggests that options such as wintering groups of stock off farm and increased levels of supplementary feeds can reduce feed deficits on farms for the winter ahead. Joe also advises all farmers to take action right now to prepare for the winter - assess the ...
Oct 04, 2018•15 min
Ed Payne continues his interview with Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss all things labour. Ed explains how a team in excess of ten labour units including family labour, full-time labour, relief milkers and seasonal staff manages the 470 cows with Ed crediting the team as the driver of high technical performance, work satisfaction and work-life balance. The backing of such a strong team has also given Ed the opportunity to pursue a Nuffield Scholarship including internationa...
Sep 26, 2018•20 min
