The Dairy Edge

Latest Episodes:

Use of once-a-day milking to reduce labour demand Jun 05, 2018

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast we speak to Waterford based dairy advisor Brian Hilliard about the use of once-a-day milking across the entire lactation.

Brian explains that there are 40-50 dairy herds across Ireland milking their herd once a day as a means of reducing overall workload and improving lifestyle. Brian weighs up the pros (reduced labour, improved animal health and fertility) and cons (reduced milk and milk solids yield, increasing SCC, reduced profitability in first 2 years) of once-a-day milking systems.

Production on established once-a-day farms can be quite high at 400 kg milk solids, which is comparable with the national average dairy cow that is milking twice-a-day. Brian points out that while dairy farmers are running successful once-a-day herds, the first few years can be quite challenging due to a reduction in milk revenue and increased culling levels as unsuitable cows exit the herd.

He urges anyone who is interested in once-a-day milking to talk to their Teagasc dairy advisors and get out to see existing once-a-day farmers to learn more about the system.

For more information:

Selection of dairy cows for once-a-day milking https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Breeding-for-Once-a-Day-Milking---Donagh-Berry.pdf

Economic implications of transitioning from twice-a-day to once-a-day:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Economics-of-transitioning-to-Once-A-Day-Milking---George-Ramsbottom.pdf

Why robots are the future of milking May 27, 2018

Show notes

Are robots the future of milking? On this weeks episode of The Dairy Edge podcast we speak to Caroline O’Sullivan, manager of the robotic unit at Teagasc Moorepark and Caroline gives an insight into how robotic milking systems work including the number of milkings robots are capable of per day, the ideal number of cows per robot and what her work looks like from day to day.

Caroline emphasises the importance of grassland management in robotic systems, aiding the movement of cows from the paddock to the robot throughout day and night. Finally Caroline explains the current feeding and milk production of the dairy cows, where cows are producing 2.1 kg milk solids from a predominately grazed grass diet.

For more: teagasc.ie

Striking the balance between silage quality and quantity May 21, 2018

Show notes

Dairy Specialist, Joe Patton discusses silage production, from the cost to key metrics for quality and the optimum cutting date.

Joe explains what to look for when analysing the quality of grass silage and what quality and quantity of silage is required for the various groups of stock on the farm.

Finally, Joe debates optimum cutting date to maximise quality and quantity. Importantly, one silage paddocks reach heading date, quality will decline by 0.5-1 unit per day.

How to achieve fertility targets during the breeding season May 14, 2018

Show notes

Dairy Specialist Martina Gormley speaks to the Dairy Edge about 6-week calving rate, the leading metric for dairy fertility performance. Firstly, Martina identifies where the national dairy herd 6-week calving rate is and how it compares to target. Martina sets out the benefits and subsequently, the financial implications of achieving target.

In short, for each 1% increase in 6-week calving profitability will increase by €8.22 per cow, which will increase profitability by €822 per year for a 100-cow herd.

Furthermore, Martina acknowledges concerns some farmers may have about concentrating calving over a short period of time. Finally, Martina gives some tips on management practices to aid farmers in achieving high fertility performance for their herds.

More information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2014/2_2-Why-is-six-week-calving-rate-important-to-my-farm.pdf

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/tips-for-6-week-calving.pdf

The use of genomic selection to maximise profitability May 04, 2018

Show notes

We speak to geneticist Donagh Berry about the use of genomic bulls as part of the breeding programme for your farm. Firstly, Donagh explains what genomic selection really means and how it compares to the traditional method of selecting daughter proven bulls.

Donagh explains that the milk production, fertility, longevity, and consequently profit is greater in offspring from genomically selected sires than daughter proven sires. Interestingly, over 70% of dairy straws sold in Ireland are from genomically selected bulls.

Finally, Donagh considers the potential benefits of genotyping your dairy females and whether the benefits outweigh the cost.

Mid-Season Grassland Management Apr 28, 2018

Show notes

On this week's episode of the Dairy Edge podcast we speak to Grass 10 Campaign Manager John Maher about mid-season grassland management.

Firstly, John talks us through the current grassland situation - with a lot of nitrogen out and soil temperature 2 degrees above normal, grass growth has taken off.

Additionally, John takes through the grazing targets, fertiliser strategies and practical steps to achieve six grazings per paddock during the mid-season.

How to maximise silage yields to replenish silage stocks Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Dairy Edge podcast, dairy specialist Joe Patton has advice on how to maximise silage yields with the view of replenishing silage stocks on farms across Ireland.

Joe emphasises the importance of fertiliser in the form of N, P and K and also talks about the balance between quality and quantity, and target cutting dates to achieve a good 1st and 2nd cut, with the possibility of additional forage harvesting in the form of 3rd cut silage or bales.

Finally, Joe considers the overall farm system, placing particular importance on the ability to grow grass with an estimated grass budget of 5 tonne DM for each cow.

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Teagasc-Quality-Grass-Silage-Guide.pdf

Dairy Farm Profitability Apr 13, 2018

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast we speak to dairy specialist George Ramsbottom about farm profitability. George identifies the main differences between the average and top dairy farmers, namely consistently higher quality output and lower costs.

He also speculates where farm profitability will be at the end of 2018, taking cognisance of the high milk price and profit year in 2017, and the additional costs incurred on the majority of dairy farms in Ireland this spring.

For more: teagasc.ie

After a tough spring, how to get cows fit for breeding Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

The breeding season is coming up and with cows in low body condition after a tough spring with poor grass growth and poor grazing conditions, on this episode of the Dairy Edge, we speak to fertility expert, Stephen Butler about how to get cows fit for breeding.

Sire selection for the upcoming breeding season Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Dairy Edge podcast we're focusing on sire selection for the upcoming breeding season and speak to Dairy Specialist George Ramsbottom while Donal Patton from Ballyhaise fills us in on the upcoming event at Ballyhaise Agricultural College.

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