The Dairy Edge

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Minimising the workload on your farm this spring Jan 07, 2019

Show notes

Preparation is key to minimising workload and stress that dairy farmers often experience on farms during the spring period and labour researcher Marion Beecher from Teagasc Moorepark highlights some of the ways that labour demand can be reduced.

Six-week calving rate is increase steadily on dairy farming meaning there are more cows calving in a shorter period of time putting a greater demand on resources such as facilities and labour.

Practices during the calving season such as once-a-day milking for the month of February, night time feeding, getting cows out to grass, once-a-day feeding of calves from 3 weeks and contracting out tractor work are all practices that will reduce the demand on labour across the spring.

A pre-calving checklist created by Mark Cassidy and Teagasc gives guidelines for a number of jobs to be completed in the months of December and January when the farm is quiet and there is free time.

The checklist includes tasks to be completed in the calving area, calf shed, milking parlour, grazing, animal health and office work. Simply servicing the milking machine, calving and calf pens are ready, ensuring the calving kit is in place and animal health products are on farm for the start of calving will mean dairy farmers can focus on the care of cows and calves for the calving season.

From more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2015/Be-Prepared-for-Calving_06022015.pdf

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/IGA-paper-2018_Pat-Clarke.pdf

Tackling emissions on dairy farms Jan 02, 2019

Show notes

In the face of climate change, the Dairy Edge wanted to find out just what are the environmental implications of dairy farming practices. We spoke to William Burchill about how to tackle this issue on the farm whilst also achieving higher profitability.

By way of context, William explained what was included in the Paris agreement and what it means for the farming community - Ireland has committed to reducing overall Greenhouse Gas emissions by 30% by the year 2030 relative to base year of 2005.

William talked through the main sources of emissions in the country and several strategies to reduce emission levels on your farm.

Interestingly, improved management practices such as better soil fertility, improved timing of fertiliser application, extended grazing and superior dairy cow genetics will lead to improved environmental sustainability as well as higher profitability.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2017/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-agriculture.php

Dairy Farm Review of the Year Dec 26, 2018

Show notes

As we reach the end of the calendar year, we thought it was a good opportunity for the Dairy Edge to take a look at the major events that impacted on the dairy industry across the year of 2018.

Pat Dillon, Head of Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation and Michael Egan, Grassland Researcher, both from Teagasc Moorepark took us on a journey that started back in January.

Pat reflected on the milk produced in the country this year, with a national figure of 7.6 billion litres, Irish dairy farmers have achieved Food Harvest targets ahead of time.

Looking at the various weather events, which impacted the spring and summer significantly, and while autumn came good, farmers failed to catch up on lost ground earlier in the year.

Michael Egan explained the effect of the various weather events on grass production and encouraged farmers to take more control over their grassland management decisions and be proactive rather than reactive to variation.

Pat quantified the impact of the year on overall profitability, with net profit declining by 5 cent/litre. For the average farm producing 400,000 litres it is a reduction in income to the tune of €20,000. How do you plan to regain this money in profit next year?

Pat and Michael finished by discussing their lessons learned from 2018 and suggest some New Year's Resolutions that dairy farmers should consider for the year to come.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Dealing-with-Weather-Risks---Tom-O'Dwyer-&-Joe-Patton---National-Dairy-Conference-2018.pdf

The Australian system for managing non-replacement dairy calves Dec 17, 2018

Show notes

Animal Welfare researcher Natalie Roadknight from the University of Melbourne, gave insight into the dairy industry in Australia and the main animal welfare challenges facing their dairy sector.

Natalie began by explaining that Australia is experiencing a persistent drought which is placing significant pressure on farm in the form of feed availability and costs.

Natalie turned her attention to the welfare of young calves, acknowledging the key management practices for newborn calves with particular emphasis on colostrum.

She also discussed the management of non-replacement dairy calves and the low welfare standards they confer.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/The-Australian-system-for-managing-non-replacement-dairy-calves---National-Dairy-Conference-2018.pdf

The role of sexed semen in Irish dairy herds Dec 07, 2018

Show notes

Stephen Butler joins us to discuss the role of sexed semen in Irish dairy herds. Stephen gave an insight into the sexed semen trial that took place during the breeding season of 2018.

He explained the differences compared with the 2013 trial including the increase in semen quantity from 2 million to 4 million sperm. Conception rates from sexed straws remain lower than conventional straws, with a relative conception rate of 76% which is similar to previous studies.

Stephen addressed the cost of sexed straws which are double that of conventional, but explained where sexed straws are used, less dairy straws are required so farmers have the opportunity to use cheaper beef straws, meaning the overall cost of straws can remain the same.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/What-role-can-sexed-semen-play---National-Dairy-Conference-2018.pptx.pdf

Advice for the current grassland situation on farm Nov 30, 2018

Show notes

John Maher and Fergus Bogue from the Grass10 team join us to examine the current grassland situation on farm. Fergus explains that the average dairy farm on PastureBase has hit an average farm cover of 600kg DM/ha and his advice is to stop grazing immediately!

Fergus explains that it is important to carry grass through the winter for spring gracing and estimates each day at grass will be worth in excess of €3 per cow in the spring.

John Maher recaps on the grass situation for the year, citing that on average, dairy farms grew less than 3 tonnes of grass DM/ha which accounts for almost one cow’s grazed forage diet for the year. When asked whether some farms have stocked their farms beyond their means John said it is a case by case basis and yes some had.

He explains it's a simple calculation centred around grass production, i.e. Grass growth of 14 tonne DM/ha is required across the whole farm to support a stocking rate of 2.5 cows/ha and where farms are growing less they need to take a critical look at their business.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Grass10-Newsletter-27112018.pdf

The key areas to focus on to improve farm profitability in 2019 Nov 26, 2018

Show notes

Dairy Specialist George Ramsbottom takes a look at the key areas that farmers should focus on to improve farm profitability in 2019, based on his analysis of the Profit Monitor.

Farmers can influence income in the form of milk composition and quality - higher fat and protein constituents and low SCC is worth up to 4-5 c/l, giving additional income of €225 per cow. George gives a guide as to what some of the main costs should look like.

Firstly, concentrate should be 3-4c/l or €150-200/cow, practically this means a cow is fed 500-700 kg concentrate. With many farmers, additional concentrate beyond this point is not resulting in any additional profit. Secondly, fertiliser should be 2-3c/kg or €120-150/cow.

George makes particular reference to use of lime and explained that where pH is correct on farms, the efficiency of other nutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium will be improved leading to greater grass production.

He sums up by explaining farmers need to get the basics right - excellent fertility (for both the herd and soils) and focus on grassland, and get cows out early allowing a long lactation from a predominantly grazed grass diet.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/dairy/Systems_levyinaction.pdf

The factors to consider for extending lactation of dairy cows through the winter Nov 16, 2018

Show notes

This week, Brian Garry discusses the main factors to consider for extending lactation of dairy cows through the winter months.

Brian considers the feed situation on individual farms and concludes that where there is a feed deficit, extending lactation won’t work.

Brian recommends high quality silage for lactating cows, in excess of 72 DMD and noted that farmers must feed high levels of supplement with poor quality to maintain milk yield and constituents.

He also identifies calving date and condition score as important factors, with an emphasis on the importance of an adequate dry period.

Finally, Brian considers the cost/benefit of milking cows across the winter months and questions if there are financial benefits once feed and additional labour associated with the milking process, housing management and feed formulation, as well as electricity and machinery, is factored in.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2010/LMC_Patton.pdf

The 5 minute cash flow plan to help you through the winter Nov 09, 2018

Show notes

This week, James McDonnell gives advice on the steps farmers should take to establish the cash flow situation on their farm and address cash deficits where they arise.

James highlighted the impact of the many weather events this year on farm finances and the great need to take stock of the current situation.

His advice is act early, be realistic with expected income and expenditure, consult with your advisor and/or accountant and decide on a course of action to get you from now until the spring.

James explains the first step is completing the ‘5-minute cash flow’ (link below), taking into account your bank balance today, expected income in the form of milk sales, cull cow sales and the sale of any surplus young stock on farms end expenditure including living expenses, merchant, vet, contractor, loan repayments and tax.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Cash-Flow-and-Financial-Management-on-Dairy-Farms.pdf

A Preview of the Teagasc National Dairy Conference Nov 05, 2018

Show notes

Tom O’Dwyer joins us to preview the National Dairy Conference that will take place in on November 27th in Rochestown Park, Cork and 28th in Hudson Bay, Athlone.

Tom explains that the title of this years conference ‘Making Dairy Farming More Sustainable’ will take a holistic view of farm business, exploring the economic, environmental and social sustainability of dairy farm businesses.

There is an opportunity to reflect on the spring and summer of 2018 and the impact the two seasons had on your farm business. A full session will be devoted to the management of the non-replacement dairy calves.

Natalie Roadknight from the University of Melbourne will draw on her experiences of the Bobby calf industry and give opinion on the lessons learned while experts from the Irish industry will put strategies in place as to how we can maximise calf value from an Irish perspective.

In the afternoon, participants can select three of six workshops; varying from grassland, contract rearing to managing workload and making the dairy farm a better place to work.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/events/2018/Dairy-Conference-Flyer-4pp-Final-with-new-logo.pdf

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