The Dairy Edge

Latest Episodes:

Let's Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: Analysing your farm's performance Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc is running a weekly Let's Talk Dairy webinar series which is also being made available as a bonus podcast episode. For this week’s webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, gives an overview of the Profit Monitor, including what it consists of and the benefits of completing it especially when planning for the year ahead. He also discusses the importance of knowing whether or not there's many non-performing stock in your herd and completing a fodder budget. 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/

From nursing to dairy farming in the Burren Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc Student of the Year, Deirdre McMahon, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss her decision to change from a career in nursing to dairy farming. Deirdre is from a farming background in west Clare and says she has a vague recollection of cows being milked on her home farm before her family converted to drystock in the 1990s. Deirdre explains that in her younger years, her involvement in farming activities were limited to standing in a gap when her parents were moving stock. Following over a decade of studying and working in nursing, Deirdre made the decision to pursue a career in dairy farming with her husband Brian. In order to get up to speed with the skills and technical aspects of dairy farming, Deirdre completed the Green Cert at Salesian Ag College in Pallaskenry as well as courses in hoof pairing, Grass 10 and the New Entrant course. Ultimately, Deirdre’s efforts have paid off as she won the Teagasc Student of the Year, being recognised for her excellence in farming and technical knowledge. Deirdre and her husband Bryan milk across two units: a leased farm in the Burren in Co Clare and on Brian’s home farm in Clarinbridge in Co Galway where they run a labour efficient spring calving, grass based system. For more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebMKeQ_px8c 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: Knowing your Carbon Footprint Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc is running a weekly Let's Talk Dairy webinar series which is also being made available as a bonus podcast episode. For this week’s webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Siobhán Kavanagh, Signpost Programme Communications and Engagement Specialist, to discuss the Bord Bia report and knowing your carbon footprint. As part of the Bord Bia audit process, farmers must complete a Sustainability Survey, the data of which enables Bord Bia to assess the environmental performance of Quality Assured farms using a carbon footprint for the farm. 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/

Can you reduce your labour input during the upcoming calving season? Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Labour researchers Marion Beecher and Conor Hogan join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss work practices and technologies that are proven to reduce labour input and improve work efficiency during the busy months on seasonal calving dairy farms. Firstly, Marion quantified the time worked from the month of February to June when 57% of the labour input occurs during these months (40% of the calendar year). Marion explains that farmers have indicated a preference for more free time off farm, an easier and enjoyable workload and more attractive farm to hired labour! Conor gives an insight into a study of 82 dairy farmers, with 137 cows and an average labour input of 18.2 hours per cow from February to June. Breaking down the labour input in the early months of the year, Conor explains that farmers spend 30% of their time milking, 14% on calf care, 13% on grassland and cow care. Of the efficiency practices and technologies Conor identified, they save on average 0.6 hours per cow. The biggest savings come from one operator in the parlour after calving (save 3 h/cow), automatic cluster removers (save 2.5 h/cow) and for calves, contract rearing pre-weaning and selling surplus non-replacements early (save 1.5 h/cow). For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2020/Poster-Conor-Hogan.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: Organic Dairy Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc is running a weekly Let's Talk Dairy webinar series which is also being made available as a bonus podcast episode. For this week’s webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Joe Kelleher, Teagasc Organic Specialist to discuss organic dairying. Joe started by giving an overview of the main processors in Ireland, the produce that they supply and the various markets that has potential for organic dairy produce. Joe also gave an overview of the farming practices which need to be adapted for farming organic, the types of farmers that organics would suit and the steps you need to consider when converting to organic farming. 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/

Are you On Feirm Ground? Maintaining resilience in an ever changing dairy sector Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

Conor Hammersley, PhD Walsh Scholar at Teagasc and the National Centre for Men’s Health Ireland joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the common stressors experienced by Irish dairy farmers and the proactive steps they can take to maintain resilience in an ever changing dairy sector. Conor explains that relative to other occupations, farmers experience higher levels of adverse health outcomes, be it cancers, heart disease or mental health and suggests in many cases personal health is only addressed when farmers reach crisis point. Key stressors for Irish farmers include the changing goal posts in relation to compliance and market demands, and specific to dairy, expansion of dairy herds. Conor suggests some key strategies for farmers to remain resilient including: appreciation of farmers contribution to society (by the general public), acknowledging the challenges you encounter on the farm, seeking help from your GP, family, other farmers or ag advisor and taking some time to get away from the farm. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/farm-business/its-like-admitting-you-are-a-failure-male-farmer-mental-health-help-seeking-limited-by-masculinity-and-identity.php 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: One Health Approach Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc is running a weekly Let's Talk Dairy webinar series which is also being made available as a bonus podcast episode. For this week’s webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Damien Barrett, Superintending Veterinary Inspector, DAFM, to discuss a holistic approach to animal health - the One Health Approach. The webinar was held as part of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2021. 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/

Is organic dairy farming for you? Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

Organic specialist Joe Kelleher joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast to discuss organic dairy and consider whether it has a role within the context of Irish milk production systems. Joe differentiates the income in organics compared with conventional dairy which include: - Lower stocking rate (average 1.5 LU/ha) - No chemical Nitrogen application - Greater integration of white clover, red clover and multi species in grazing swards - Higher concentrate price (double the cost of non-organic meals per tonne) - Higher milk price (7-9 c/litre above conventional price) - Organic payment scheme With the advent of reduced chemical fertiliser allowances as well as inflated fertiliser costs, Joe draws on some key principles that conventional dairy farmers can adopt from organic farmers including more targeted use of slurry to get true value from the N-P-K, use of lime and integration of clover and multi-species to fix Nitrogen. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/organics/ 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: Taking Stock for 2021 Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc is running a weekly Let's Talk Dairy webinar series which is also being made available as a bonus podcast episode. For this week’s webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, discusses taking stock for 2021, with a view to getting yourself organised before the end of the year and trying to set yourself up for the coming year. Stuart gives an overview of physical performance, grassland performance and financial performance. 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/

Good animal health for optimal farm productivity Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

Department of Agriculture vets Damien Barrett and Caroline Garvan join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the correlation between good animal health and farm productivity. Damien highlights the importance of optimal animal health from birth, explaining that an incidence of pneumonia can increase calving interval in later life by up to 12% and an incidence of scour is linked to lower milk production. Furthermore, Damien recommends that farmers weigh young stock regularly to ensure heifers reach weight targets in order to calve timely at 24 months of age. Caroline focuses on the ‘one health’ concept referring to the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance among animal and human populations. Caroline explains the cyclical effect of antibiotic usage, where an animal is treated with an antibiotic, 60% is excreted into the environment which gives rise antibiotic exposure to more animals driving the development of resistance. 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

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