The Dairy Edge

Latest Episodes:

Understanding, reducing and treating lameness in cows May 16, 2022

Show notes

Lameness experts, Ger Cusack and Ned Dunphy, join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the level of lameness that exists in grazing dairy cows and the proactive steps that farmers can take to reduce its incidence. Based on a recent on-farm study, up to 20% of cows within Irish dairy herds have some level of lameness and Ger explains that cows suffering from lameness are coping with pain which is a significant welfare concern. Ger recommends that cows with lameness are treated with an anti-inflammatory to combat pain, reduce swelling and promote healing. Ned explains that simple practices on farms such as allowing cows to walk at their own pace when droving from the paddock to the parlour for milkings, as well as a regular footbathing programme, looking after the surfaces of roadways and learning the skills to identify a lame cow and lift and treat cows, will go a long way towards minimising the level of lameness. Ned estimates that each incidence of lameness costs €350 owing to loss in production, reduced fertility performance, the cost of treatment and culling. Furthermore when considering farm sustainability, Ger explains that cows are culled because of lameness, they fail to reach maturity and this compromises cow lifetime productivity. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2022/Reducing-Lameness-in-Irish-Dairy-Herds.pdf 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: the Factors that Affect Milk Fat % May 13, 2022

Show notes

For this week’s podcast version of the Let’s Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, discusses the factors that affect milk fat %. 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/

How to keep control of the grass on your farm, maintain quality and avoid feed waste May 09, 2022

Show notes

Micheál O’Leary from PastureBase Ireland joins Emma-Louise Coffey on the latest Dairy Edge podcast with advice on how to keep control of the grass on your farm, maintain quality and avoid feed waste as growth rates explode across the country. Currently, average farm cover is 790 kg DM/ha / 203 kg/cow, growth 70 kg/day, demand 56 kg/day and almost half of dairy farms have a pre-grazing cover of >1,600 kg DM/ha. Micheál recommends that dairy farmers take action to reduce the pre-grazing cover to 1,300-1,400 kg to hit paddocks at the 3-leaf stage to ensure good digestibility and quality to support high milk solids production. Where surplus grass is taken out in the form of bales, Micheál reminds us to replenish key nutrients (Phosphorus and Potassium) using 2,500 gallons of slurry where available on farm or alternatively, a compound such as 18-6-12. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-newsletter/ 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: Reduced Crude Protein Diets Requirement Under Derogation May 06, 2022

Show notes

For this week’s podcast version of the Let’s Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, discusses the reduced Crude Protein diets requirement under Derogation. Stuart gives an overview of the rationale for the decision by DAFM; whether or not it will have implications for farmers; and for farmers not in derogation, the benefits to doing this as well. 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/

How to make potential savings to feed reserves this year May 02, 2022

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge, advisor Adrian O’Callaghan and dairy farmer Diarmuid Hegarty join Emma-Louise Coffey to consider the potential feed saving that can be achieved by identifying problem cows and culling them from the herd early. Diarmuid explains he is milking 200 cows and running an overall milking platform stocking rate of 2.5 cows/ha that rises to 4-4.5 cows/ha across the mid-season. He had intended on keeping 10-20 extra cows in 2022 but gained discipline to calve and cull the additional cows because of forecasted high costs of production. Adrian details that costs of production were estimated at €1,840 in January but indications now expect they could rise to €2,400. Of 730 dairy farms that completed the Profit Monitor last year, Adrian said 25-30% are buying in the equivalent of 2 bales/cow or ½ tonne DM. He speculates that for some farms that means a portion of cows are fed totally from bought in supplement. If you identify 5 problem cows in the herd and cull them now, there is a potential saving of 125 tonne fresh weight of feed (two-fold difference: removing cows grass/silage demand and additional area for silage). Diarmuid is sticking to his normal silage conservation plan to ensure he has adequate winter feed reserves. He has however gotten his slurry tested and is spreading slurry and chemical fertiliser to complement the soil fertility status. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2022/OutlookrevisedApril2022.pdf 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: The Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management Apr 29, 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 Dr Emma-Louise Coffey, Teagasc and Brendan Ryan, Dairy Farmer to get an insight into the Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management. Emma-Louise gives an overview of the course and outlines the benefits of studying the course while Brendan Ryan, dairy farmer, gives an insight into his background, his experience of participating on the course and the changes that he has made to his farming practices since the course. Find out more here: https://www.teagasc.ie/education/courses/agriculture/professional-diploma-in-dairy-farm-management/ 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/

Will a strong milk price maintain profit margins in the face of rising production costs? Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

Agri-economist, Trevor Donnellan, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the dramatic rise in production costs and speculates whether strong milk price can maintain profit margins. Prior to the war in Ukraine, milk price was set to decline from early 2022. Following the outbreak of war, milk price has continued to rise and outlook remains high until at least Q3 of 2022. High milk price being received by Irish dairy farms is driven by strong dairy product pricing as well as lower than anticipated milk supply in the southern hemisphere and logistical and processing capacity issues from additional milk in the US. From a cost of production standpoint, fertiliser price remains high at up to €1,000 per tonne while projected concentrate feed is expected to run 20% ahead of 2021 prices. Energy costs in the form of green diesel and electricity are projected to run to 60% and 30%, respectively, ahead of 2021. Trevor explains that dairy farmers are well placed to maintain strong profit margins despite rising costs due to the high milk price being received in 2022. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2022/OutlookrevisedApril2022.pdf 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: Nitrogen fertiliser for silage ground Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

For this week’s podcast version of the Let’s Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist discusses nitrogen fertiliser for silage ground. 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 key drivers for a successful breeding season Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

Dairy Farmer, Tom O’Connell, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast to give an insight into the key drivers for a successful breeding season on his farm. Tom operates a spring calving, grass based system, milking 320 crossbred cows who produce in excess of 500 kg MS from 800 kg meal. Tom explains that the high level of milk production is achieved due to a long lactation resulting from a 90% 6-week calving rate and a mature herd. Notable breeding metrics for Tom’s farm include: 90% 3-week submission rate, 60% conception rate to 1st service and 4% empty following 11 weeks breeding. Tom places importance ensuring cows are in adequate BSC ahead of mating start date and having defined calving and breeding seasons so all cows are calved prior to mating start date. Additionally, Tom explains that he puts energy into heat observation to ensure all cows that are in heat are picked up and served. 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: Pre-breeding management Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

For this week’s podcast version of the Let’s Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist discusses pre-breeding management to try and improve the six week calving rate. The target is to have 90% calved within six weeks. 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/

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