Choosing the right cows for breeding-Teagasc
Much time and effort is put into choosing the AI bull each year and rightly so; however, are you putting as much effort into choosing the right cows to breed from? Ultimately, the bull is only half the story, and choosing the right cows is also vital. With a slowdown in herd expansion, and increased […]
How genetics has changed the science of animal breeding
Maeve Williams, VistaMilk, explains how genetic differences and modern breeding techniques, including DNA sequencing, are used to improve traits for economic and environmental sustainability in dairy farming. Have you ever been sitting around a table with your siblings and wondered why you all look so different? I have two sisters and, although there are similarities […]
Making contract rearing a ‘win-win’ for all involved
Contracting out heifer rearing offers many benefits once both parties take time to draw up a tailor-made agreement that covers all the potential scenarios that can arise, Collaborative Farming Specialist at Teagasc, Ruth Fennell shares the key details. Cuts to organic nitrogen stocking rates, difficulties sourcing land to lease, high land rents and labour shortages […]
Viewing labour as an asset not a cost
Farming in Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, Brendan and Fiona Joyce milk a herd of 150 high EBI cows under a spring-calving system. Their farm is very much grass focused; the herd produced 560kg of milk solids per cow last year, while concentrate input is targeted at 750kg/cow. As part of the recent Teagasc National Dairy Conference, […]
Calculating the breakeven milk price-Teagasc Ireland
In any downturn on milk price, some farms may experience cash flow difficulties. In this article, Patrick Gowing explains why it is important for each farm to establish the impact of low milk prices on their farm. A simple tool that can be used is calculating the farms breakeven point. This will help identify at […]
Calculating the breakeven milk price-Teagasc Ireland
In any downturn on milk price, some farms may experience cash flow difficulties. In this article, Patrick Gowing explains why it is important for each farm to establish the impact of low milk prices on their farm. A simple tool that can be used is calculating the farms breakeven point. This will help identify at […]
Reset the milking timetable to prioritise family time
Children’s experience of growing up on a family dairy farm vary. If there are milking and working structures resulting in an early finishing time, the memories are generally very positive. It is unlikely young people will follow a career in dairying if they lose the love of farming along the way. Dairy Advisor Tom Murphy […]
Securing a sustainable future-Showcasing Irish Dairy industry
Crowds were welcomed back to Moorepark today, July 4th, to see the research being conducted and to meet the Teagasc teams and industry stakeholders present. Laurence Shalloo, Head of Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme, Teagasc, Moorepark, welcomed those attending Moorepark ’23, while also highlighting many current and future challenges in the piece below. […]
Milk price cuts could halve dairy farm incomes in 2023
A sharp reduction in milk prices and very high production costs could see dairy farm incomes halved in 2023, compared to the very high levels last year. The family farm income (FFI) for Irish dairy farmers increased by 53% to an average of €150,884 last year, which was driven by a significant rise in milk […]
Actions to improve milk protein percentage in May and June
John McCabe, Teagasc/Aurivo Joint Programme Advisor, looks at the factors affecting and the steps to take to improve milk protein percentage in May and June. Figure 1 below from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicates a few different things to us. Firstly, milk protein percentage flat lines for the summer months (red circle). Secondly, milk […]