The Dairy Edge

Latest Episodes:

Johnstown Castle Winter and Spring Milk Herds Update Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Johnstown Castle farm manager Aidan Lawless joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge to give an update on the performance of the winter and spring milk herds. Aidan explains that 50% of the autumn calving herd have been dried off to allow a 60 day dry period and autumn calves have produced 600 kg milk solids. A lot of these cows are still producing a high milk yield so Aidan explained they removed concentrate from the diet and offered the last grazing to reduce diet quality which reduces milk yield to 10 litres. Selective dry cow therapy has been used with good success so the farm will continue this practice for any cow consistently below 150 SCC. An 11-week breeding season has been completed with the spring calving herd. From week 6-9, Aidan noticed a few repeats in cows bred early which indicates a missed heat or embryo loss. Aidan also gave insights into the cumulative and current grass growth and he explains the different management of grassland swards: 100 kg N for multispecies swards and 250 kg N for perennial ryegrass swards across the grazing season. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/research-farms/johnstown-castle/ For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

How to Save on Energy Costs on Your Dairy Farm Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

With the cost of energy on Irish dairy farms on average €5 per 1,000 litres, ranging from €2.50-59, this week’s guest, research officer John Upton, joins Emma-Louise Coffey to give tips to save money on farm energy bills. John explains that the biggest consumers of energy include milk cooling (30%), water heating (23%) and machine/vacuum (20%) and gives tips on how to reduce consumption in each area by up to 60%. John advises that farmers should check for the most competitive energy provider annually on energy comparison websites like Bonkers.ie, explaining that farmers can make a 20% saving in unit rates by switching providers which can save up to €800 per year. For more information here is a Dairy Energy Decision Support Tool to use: https://messo.shinyapps.io/dairy/ For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Is it time to pull the bull? Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

Just when is the appropriate time to remove the bull? On this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge, advisor John McCabe joins Emma-Louise Coffey with advice and information for farmers. John documents the calving pattern over the last 2 years, explaining that 27% of cows in the category of late calvers in spring calving dairy herds in the months of April, May and June differs from the target of 10% calvings in April and no calvings in May and June. He recommends that farmers reach a 12-week breeding season this week and that farmers should consider removing the bull if they want to avoid May or June calvers. John also explains that consequences of late calvers include lower milk production, higher costs, risk of higher SCC and lower labour efficiency. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2020/decisions-around-ending-the-breeding-season.php For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Let’s Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: Anthelmintic resistance in gut worms of cattle Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

With the current Covid restrictions in place, Teagasc is running a weekly Let's Talk Dairy webinar series which is also being made available afterwards as a bonus podcast episode. On this webinar, host Stuart Childs was joined by Dr. Orla Keane, Teagasc researcher to discuss anthelmintic resistance in gut worms of cattle. Orla gave an insight into the background of gut worms in cattle, discussed anthelmintic resistance in Ireland and the risk factors associated with the development of anthelmintic resistance. Finally, Orla gave advice on sustainable worm control. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Tips to improve the quality of grazing swards Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

Michael O’Donovan joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge to give tips and advice to improve the quality of grazing swards. Michael explains that farmers should maintain pre-grazing herbage mass of 1,300-1,600 kg DM/ha to maximise the leaf content and achieve good graze out with any cover that exceeds that should be removed in the form of surplus bales. If the farm is not in surplus and there is a build-up of stem and seed heads, Michael recommends such paddocks can be topped. Michael recognises protected Urea as an appropriate Nitrogen fertiliser product at a rate of 25-30 units. Considering autumn reseeding, he acknowledges August is a suitable month to reseed and has top tips for reseeding include establishing a fine firm seed bed, using a post emergence spray and grazing at a low cover of 600-800 kg DM/ha. 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 profitability to organic dairy production systems Jul 06, 2020

Show notes

Dan Clavin joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge to give an insight into organic dairy production systems in Ireland. Currently, there are 62 organic dairy producers. These farms range in herd size from 20-200+ cows, producing between 5,000-6,000 litres of milk. Dan explains the different reasons farmers opt for organic dairy including profitability, lifestyle and legislation. In terms of profitability, Dan estimates that milk price ranges for 50-60 c/l during winter months and 30-44 c/l during summer months and input cows are generally lower resulting from no chemical fertiliser and lower vet costs. Dan suggests that organic may play a bigger role in Irish agriculture in the future as consumer demand in organic products continue to grow coupled with potential changes to regulation and legislation. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/rural-economy/organics/Organic_Dairying-frequently_asked_questions_December_2018.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/

Let’s Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: Milk Recording with Don Crowley Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

With the current lockdown restrictions in place, Teagasc is running a weekly Let's Talk Dairy webinar series which is also being made available afterwards as a bonus podcast episode. This week’s webinar discusses milk recording with Don Crowley. 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 Benefits of Biodiversity for Irish Dairy Farms Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

Catherine Keena joins Emma-Louise Coffey to discuss the benefits of biodiversity for Irish dairy farms. Catherine explains that biodiversity is all about flora and fauna and the habitats that they live in. Typical examples of biodiversity include hedgerows, watercourses and field margins. Catherine considers the benefits of biodiversity on dairy farms including income from schemes and marketing of dairy products. She explains that all farms have a level of biodiversity and encourages farmers to retain, maintain and enhance biodiversity on farms. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/biodiversity--countryside/farmland-habitats/ For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Let’s Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: Careers in Dairy Farming Jun 26, 2020

Show notes

With the current lockdown restrictions in place, Teagasc is running a weekly Let's Talk Dairy webinar series which is also being made available afterwards as a bonus podcast episode. This week’s webinar discusses opportunities in dairy farming and the career progression pathways with Gordon Peppard, Farm Business Structures Specialist. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Tips on recovery from drought conditions Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

Teagasc dairy advisor Colm Doran joins Emma-Louise Coffey to give strategies on recovery from drought conditions. Colm gives information on the average farm cover on dairy farms in North Wexford, averaging 720 kg DM/ha but ranging from 360 to 1,200 kg DM/ha. These farmers are actively measuring grass production once-twice weekly and supplementing according to grass supply, typically in the form of concentrate and silage. Colm recommends that farmers continue to monitor grass production and complete a feed budget for your farm. 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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