The Dairy Edge

Latest Episodes:

Laurence Shalloo on the Impact of Nitrogen Management Strategies Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

Laurence Shalloo joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to explain the Nitrates modelling work completed by Teagasc which considered a reduction in chemical Nitrogen, consequence of non-compliance with closed dates for slurry, a reduction in stock rate, whole-farm v milking platform stocking rate and a banding system for the organic N per cow. Laurence details the new banding system for organic Nitrogen ranks cows based on milk yield (<4,500 kg milk = 80 kg N, 4,500-6,500 kg milk = 92 kg N, >6,500 kg = 106 kg N) with the kg N expected to increase by 0.7 per annum. This banding system is set to allow farmers to improve efficiency in the form of higher milk constituents and solids while avoiding higher banding. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2021/Nitrates-Modelling-Final.pdf Don’t forget, the Teagasc Moorepark Open Day 2021 Day is taking place on Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th & Thursday, 16th September 2021. It is repeated over the three days to ensure compliance with government Covid-19 guidelines. The event consists of a planned onsite event and also a virtual event on Wednesday. If you wish to attend the event you must pre book and can do so here: https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/moorepark-open-day/#d.en.101492 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: Managing Hedgerows Sep 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. In this webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Aoife Leader, Teagasc to discuss managing hedgerows. With hedge-cutting season commencing, Aoife gave an insight into how hedgerows are an important source of biodiversity on farms and how their management influences the quality of the biodiversity. 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 increase your grass cover if behind target Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

Grassland researcher Mike Egan joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge and quantifies the level of grass cover on dairy farms. Based on PastureBase Ireland figures, farm cover is on average 812 kg DM/ha which is 120 kg behind target. If you are behind target, Mike recommends that farmers consider increasing supplementation, remove non-milking cow stock from the milking platform, don’t cut bales and don’t reseed this autumn in order to build cover. Mike explains that getting grass right in the autumn will ensure there is sufficient grass in the spring, leading to an additional 22 kg milk solids early in the subsequent lactation. 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

Pat Dillon previews the 2021 Moorepark Open Day Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc’s Head of Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme, Pat Dillon, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast with a preview of the 2021 Moorepark Open Day event. It will take place over three days on Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th September with the normal face-to-face format during the day and an additional virtual online forum each evening at 7pm. The open day is a ticketed event and those who wish to attend on the day must register online from 6th September. Reflecting on the last decade, Pat explains that the abolition of milk quotas has offered dairy farmers the opportunity to exploit technical efficiencies and as published in the National Farm Survey, dairy farm incomes have risen with average incomes of €74,000 in 2020. Looking to the next ten years, Pat says we will not see expansion anywhere near that of the last decade. Instead of an expansion focus, farmers will be focusing on further sustainability of their farm business, creating resilience in areas such as environmental practices and animal welfare. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/moorepark21-open-day.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: Economics around late calving cows Aug 20, 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. In this webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by James Dunne to explore the decision around the best time to end the breeding season and considers the economics of spring calving herds milking on through the winter. 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/

Danny Bermingham on flexible management to achieve top performance on challenging soils Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Danny Bermingham joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast with an insight into his dairy farm, including how his management practices differ from the standard guidelines. Through participation in the heavy soils programme, Danny has learned the correct drainage techniques for his soil types and this in combination with improved soil fertility and grazing infrastructure, days at grass has increased which has had a positive impact on milk solids and fertility. Danny explains that cows generally get out to grass by St Patricks Day and are housed again around 1st November, with additional days at grass in the spring and autumn considered a bonus. Over the last 10 years, milk solids have increased from 420 kg to 523 kg and Danny credits greater days at grass, compact calving leading to more days in milk, improving genetic merit and herd maturity to greater milk performance and hopes the cows will surpass this by achieving 540 kg MS in 2021. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2019/Danny-Bermingham-booklet.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: Grazing Utilisation Star Index Aug 13, 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. In this webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by Tomás Tubritt, Teagasc Moorepark, to discuss the grazing utilisation star index. Tomás starts by giving an overview of the Pasture Profit Index (PPI) which is a variety selection tool used to select varieties when reseeding. Tomás also gives an introduction to the grazing utilisation star index which was introduced recently. 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/

Winning the second half of the lactation - how to avoid the pitfalls Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

On this weeks episode of The Dairy Edge, Tom Fallon gives insight into important practices to win the second half of the lactation. Tom explains that after the busy calving and breeding season and conservation of silage, farmers tend to take a step back from the farm but Tom urges farmers to continue to pay attention to cow health and in particular, mobility to ensure cows are achieving their milk production potential while holding and gaining body condition and pregnancy. Tom recommends that all farmers take the opportunity to critically analyse their farm roadways and farm yard surfaces to identify degradation that can occur over time and put a plan in place remedy issues and encourage good cow flow. Additionally, Tom recommends that farmers complete a mobility score on the whole herd to catch any cows at the onset of a lameness event and treat early. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2021/Dairy-Cow-Mobility--Winning-the-second-half---how-do-cows-experience-your-farm.pdf https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Dairy/Publications/Dairy%20Mobility%20Scoresheet_200427_WEB.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: Autumn Grass Strategy Aug 06, 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. In this webinar, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, was joined by John Douglas, Teagasc Grass10 Advisor to discuss an Autumn Grass Strategy. It is important that we build covers during the Autumn period in order to have grass for the remainder of the year and it's also very important that we do it right in order to have grass for the spring time. 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/

What will make you an employer of choice? Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge, Beth Dooley explains what makes individual farmers an employer of choice and has tips on complying with employment regulation. Beth explains that employees are attracted to farms that are safe places to work, have processes and are streamlined (including SOPs), a clear working roster and an opportunity to upskill. Beth recommends that farmers complete a written contract for all employees which should always include; - Name and address of employer and employee - Place of work - Job title, nature of work - Date of commencement - Term of contract (fixed or temporary) - Rate of pay - Annual leave entitlements - Notice required for termination of employment For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/dairy/2-aisling-meehan-presentation-v2.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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected