For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains that June is a challenging month for grass quality as we are now in the main heading phase for perennial ryegrass.

Pre grazing yield is too high on many farms:

-       Watch rotation length (Target 18-21 days)

-       Minimise stem content

-       Grazing covers >1500 kg DM/ha will have a negative effect on animal performance, pasture cleanout, grass recovery and quality in the subsequent rotation

Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:

https://bit.ly/Grass10-9thJune

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

With breeding season reaching the midpoint on many spring-calving dairy farms, we're taking stock of how the season has progressed so far and discussing the key management decisions for the weeks ahead.

Doreen Corridan, CEO of NCBC, joins James Dunne to discuss breeding performance to date, trends in dairy and beef semen usage, managing cows that have yet to be served, and the key actions farmers should focus on for the remainder of the breeding season.

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

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses tackling surplus grass and why flexibility is required to take out surplus bales.

Plus he explains how grazed grass delivers the lowest feed cost, even with higher fertiliser prices.

Meanwhile, the featured farmer is John Payne from Moydow, Co. Longford.

Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:
https://bit.ly/Grass10-2ndJune

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

With the increased cost of fuel and fertiliser, Peter Doyle, Grassland Researcher in Teagasc, Grange, joins Stuart Childs to discuss the cost of growing grass, silage and other feeds.

Peter outlines the costs that he uses in the Grange Feed Costing Model which are of course assumptions but are necessary for the model to function.

He emphasises that grazed grass delivers the lowest feed cost, even with higher fertilser prices. The cost model estimates grazed grass at about 14c/kg dry matter (including land charge), compared with roughly 42c/kg dry matter for concentrates.

Feed quality is important in the model as the energy of the feed influences the performance it delivers. Peter argues that delaying first-cut silage to chase higher yields given increased fuel costs to get better bang for the buck from contractor costs is a false economy. 

Earlier cutting (around late May) produces higher-quality silage, improves the total energy yield of the overall two-cut system as well as supporting better animal performance, reducing the requirement for expensive concentrate supplementation. Big first cuts of low quality material don’t deliver more silage and are ‘penny wise, pound poor’ due to the cost they create subsequently.

Peter also stresses that feed quality should be matched to the type of stock being fed. High-quality silage is needed for lactating cows and young stock, while lower-quality, higher-volume silage may suit dry cows. 

He notes that alternatives such as maize and fodder beet can be useful but involve similar or higher costs, additional management requirements, and often require supplementary protein and minerals.

Finally, Peter says that the cost of grazed grass doesn’t increase as significantly as the other feeds and thus people need to focus on grazed grass as their primary feed source and maximise the amount of it that they produce and consume to minimise their overall feed costs.

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

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains that the challenge on farm now will be keeping the right grass in front of the animals.

Swards of low or no stem will maximise animal performance Performance is maximised when the pre-grazing yield is between 1300-1400 kg DM/ha.

Meanwhile, the featured farmer is Michael McGuigan, from Longwood, Co. Meath.

Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:
https://pasturebase.teagasc.ie/Grass10%20Weekly.pdf?=20260529

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

This week we’re discussing generational renewal in Irish dairying and the challenges facing farmers young farmers trying to enter and progress within the sector while also discussing what options are available to farmers who may not have an identified successor.

Joining James Dunne is Conor Hogan from the GROdairy Project — Generational Renewal Opportunities for Irish Dairy Farm Businesses — a new initiative focused on supporting farm succession, progression, and collaborative farming through demonstration farms, peer learning, and practical advisory supports.

Conor discusses the barriers facing young farmers, the role collaborative farming can play in creating viable career pathways, and how the project hopes to support the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the Irish dairy industry.

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

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses the impact of pre-grazing yield on protein, plus how to correct pre-grazing yield on farm.

Meanwhile, the featured farmer is John Phelan from Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford.

Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:
https://bit.ly/Grass10-19thMay

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

Claire Mooney, Catchment Coordinator for the Suir, joins Stuart Childs to discuss practical tips for farmers in relation to improving water quality.

Claire first explains immediate on-farm actions to improve environmental compliance and efficiency, including better silage management, protecting waterways with fencing and alternative drinking points, improving slurry and effluent handling, using sulphur correctly, and how clover can reduce chemical nitrogen use.

Claire discusses the need for farmers to prepare for tighter slurry storage rules in 2028 by assessing storage capacity now, working with advisors, exploring TAMS grants and capital allowances, and planning investments early rather than waiting until compliance becomes urgent.

Finally, Claire stresses that small operational improvements can make a significant difference, such as separating soiled water from slurry, reducing rainwater entering tanks, fixing leaks, cleaning yards efficiently, and redesigning cow traffic areas to reduce unnecessary slurry storage demand and avoid a need to reduce stock numbers on foot of the new regulations that may be avoidable. 

She also emphasises the importance of using slurry well and distributing it across the whole farm to reduce losses.

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

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher says that the majority of farms are grazing covers too high.

As we move further into May, grass composition is changing and keeping grass quality correct becomes more challenging.

To ensure grass quality is maintained to maximise animal performance pre-grazing yield has to be between 1300-1400 kg DM/ha.

Meanwhile, the featured farmer is Killian Brennan, from Kilcogy, Co. Cavan.

Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:
https://bit.ly/Grass10-12thMay

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

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains why the target for pre-grazing yield in the mid-season is 1300-1400 kg DM/ha.

John also discusses first cut silage and taking surplus bales to be part of grassland management over the next month.

Meanwhile, the featured farmer is David Lowry from Churchminister, Co. Donegal.

Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:
https://bit.ly/Grass10-5thMay

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