On this week’s show we focus on dairy breeding. We hear from Morgan O’Sullivan, PhD researcher from Teagasc, who explains the differences he has observed between dairy cows with elite and average EBI. 

Morgan talks through the differences in milk production, fertility and longevity of elite and average dairy cows, and the consequences for profitability.

On this week’s show we're focusing on spring grassland management with Michael Egan, Grassland Research Officer from Teagasc and Micheal O’Leary, Co-ordinator of PastureBase Ireland also explains what is involved in the PastureBase/Agrinet merger.

For more information: teagasc.ie

This week’s episode of The Dairy Edge podcast focuses on feeding dairy cows in early lactation.

Brian Garry, Nutrition Specialist from Teagasc Moorepark, explains the rapidly increasing energy requirements of dairy cows after calving, the intake capacity of freshly calved cows and the ideal diet to maximise energy intake.

Aidan Lawless, Farm Manager of the Teagasc Johnstown Castle Dairy Herd gives a breakdown of the mixed calving dairy herd at Johnstown Castle. He talks us through the diet and milk production of the autumn calving herd and gives an insight into how their breeding season is going so far.

Further information on the topics discussed on this week’s show include:

Feeding the Dairy Cow https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/dairy/FeedingDiaryCow.pdf

On this week's show Emma-Louise Coffey gets expert advice on caring for newborn calves from Teagasc's Emer Kennedy including the 1-2-3 of proper colostrum management.

For more: teagasc.ie

On this week's show, we focus on labour and grassland management.

Pat Clarke from Teagasc Athenry has tips on how to reduce the heavy spring workload. He also outlines a labour survey that includes over 1,000 dairy farms (75 discussion groups), explaining the differences in work practices between the average and top 5% farmers included in the study.

Kieran Kelleher from Curtin's Research Farm, Teagasc Moorepark, explains what preparation is being put in place for the upcoming calving season. At Curtin's Farm, 150 cows will calf this spring, with 130 cows (86%) of the herd calving in the first 6 weeks of the calving season.

And John Maher, Campaign Manager of Grass 10, explains the initiative and sets out practical steps that famers can take to reach the Grass 10 objectives of 10 tonne grass DM per ha/year utilised and 10 grazings per paddocks/year.

For more: teagasc.ie

On the first Dairy Edge podcast the focus is on spring fertiliser and fodder. Guests include Brian Garry, nutrition expert from Teagasc, Moore Park, dairy farmer, John Leahy and David Wall, research officer from Johnstown Castle.

For more information go to Teagasc.ie