The Dairy Edge

Latest Episodes:

Let's Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: Current grazing conditions and advice Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

For this week’s podcast version of the Let’s Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Teagasc’s John McCabe and John Douglas, Teagasc Grass10 Advisor to get an update on the current grazing conditions as well as an insight into the latest advice for farmers.

To register for future Let’s Talk Dairy webinars go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/lets-talk-dairy/

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Reviewing the grassland situation and advice for the remainder of the grazing season Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

Grass10 advisor, Joseph Dunphy, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to review the grassland situation on dairy farms and provides advice for the remainder of the grazing season.

Joseph explains that, depending on the level of rainfall during July and August, the average farm cover and consequently, grass availability, is completely variable; some farms are on a predominantly grass-based diet with low levels of concentrate supplement while others are feeding a silage and concentrate diet with a small proportion of grazed grass.

Joseph recommends that farmers monitor grass, set the farm up for a 30-day rotation and where farm cover remains below target, supplement to fill the deficit.

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For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

Should you cull empty cows early or milk them until December? Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

Dairy specialist, George Ramsbottom, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast to consider whether to cull empty cows early or milk them until December.

George estimates that there are 80-100 days left in lactation for spring calving dairy herds; at on average 15 litres per day this will return an income of €700-900 per cow.

George explains where grass growth and winter fodder supplies are in short supply and whether farmers should consider culling cows early to reduce feed demand and prevent winter supplies.

Conversely, where grass supply is on target and winter feed is sufficient, farmers should consider either drying off or milking once-a-day in order to add additional carcass value.

Podcast survey:

https://forms.office.com/r/mDZTE9zPy4

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

Let's Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: Update on Grass Supply Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

For this week’s podcast version of the Let’s Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, gives an update on grass supply on farms using data available from PastureBase Ireland.

To register for future Let’s Talk Dairy webinars go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/lets-talk-dairy/

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Integration of Multi-Species Swards into Dairy Farm Systems Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

Dairy Farmer, Joe Leonard, and Seed Merchant, Tom McGuinness, join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the integration of multi-species swards into dairy farm systems.

During a trip to South Africa in 2016, Joe observed multi-species swards in practice and his interest was piqued. From 2017, Joe set about incorporating multi-species into his reseeding plans.

Tom McGuinness explains that in the mid 2010s, there was little interest in multi-species and it was limited to beef and sheep farmers. This has increased to in excess of 1,650 acres in 2021. Tom explains that this is owing to farmers’ awareness and willingness to work to reduce their environmental footprint.

Joe explains that grass productivity and cow performance with multi-species swards is comparable with his traditional perennial ryegrass swards although his grazing management differs with higher pre-grazing mass and higher residual in order to promote persistency.

Podcast survey:

https://forms.office.com/r/mDZTE9zPy4

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

Let's Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: Advice for Farmer Respiratory Health Aug 26, 2022

Show notes

For this week’s podcast version of the Let’s Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, speaks to John McNamara to get advice about farmer respiratory health.

To register for future Let’s Talk Dairy webinars go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/lets-talk-dairy/

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Grass10 Champion, Colin Doherty, on building a repeatable grass-based system Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

Grass 10 champion, Colin Doherty, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge to explain how he and his father have developed their dairy farm and built a repeatable grass-based system.

Colin says that, while the farm was in winter milk until 2005, grazed grass was always the core feed that drove their milk production.

This has continued since they transitioned to spring milk production where they feed predominantly grazed grass with supplement input of ~500 kg and some silage during the lactation.

Colin says the preference is to feed silage or zero grazed grass from the out-block where grass growth (and supply) are low, to support as much of the cow’s diet from home grown feed.

Colin explains that they previously strived to grow up to 17 tonnes of grass but in more recent years they have reduced the amount of chemical Nitrogen applied and therefore, 15 tonnes is a realistic number.

In the future, they aim to spread 150 kg N in the form of Protected Urea while also continuing to incorporate LESS and increasing the level of white clover.

Podcast survey:

https://forms.office.com/r/mDZTE9zPy4

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

Strategies to tackle and lift soil fertility Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

Teagasc’s, David Wall, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on the latest Dairy Edge podcast with strategies to tackle and lift soil fertility.

David explains that while fertiliser cost and uncertainty of supply has worried farmers during the year, some positive trends such as better use of slurry and increased use of lime were observed.

However, David warns that if you have taken a break from spreading Phosphorus and Potassium in 2022, it is essential to incorporate these compounds for 2023 to avoid a decline in soil fertility.

David then quantifies the benefit of optimum soil fertility with lift in Nitrogen use efficiency from 35% in soils with low fertility to 80-85% where soils are at optimum.

David also reminds us of closed fertiliser periods: 15th September for chemical Nitrogen and 8th October for slurry.

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

Lameness: its cause and appropriate treatment strategies Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

Ger Cusack and Ned Dunphy join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss common lameness conditions, its cause and appropriate treatment strategies.

Ger explains that white line disease and sole bruising are the most common lameness conditions in grazing dairy cows which are generally caused by poor walking surfaces and cows being rushed on roadways.

Ned documents the introduction of mortellaro to Ireland in the late 1980s when animals were imported into the country. The disease has increased with increasing cow numbers and potential lack of increased facilities provision on farm. Mortellaro is generally spread during the housed period through slurry.

A foot trimmer or vet can is a good starting point to help with relevant treatment plans and identifying cows with sub-optimal locomotion.

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

Let's Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: Winter Fodder Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

For this week’s podcast version of the Let’s Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, looked at winter fodder

To register for future Let’s Talk Dairy webinars go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/lets-talk-dairy/

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/