The Dairy Edge

With the ongoing summer drought conditions, Emma-Louise Coffey presents some of Teagasc's key advice and tips to help farmers cope and manage with their grassland management. For more information, go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/farming-in-difficult-weather-conditions/summer-drought-conditions/

On this week's episode of The Dairy Edge podcast, milk quality award winners John and Brendan Walsh explain the practices that help them produce the highest quality milk ahead of their Open Day on July 4th. John emphasises the importance of hygiene and grassland to maintain good udder health while Brendan qualifies how they achieve up to 300 days at grass and treatment protocol for cows with mastitis. For more information on the Milk Quality Farm Walk at the Walsh Farm: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/events/2018/Milk-Quality-Awards-Farm-Walk-2018.pdf

On this week's episode of The Dairy Edge podcast, we hear from Dairy Farmer Gillian O'Sullivan about how once-a-day milking helps her family achieve work life balance. Gillian is farming near Dungarvan with husband Neil and father Michael. Gillian and Neil began dairy farming almost 10 years ago, and credits her father's wealth of knowledge, their local dairy advisor Brian Hilliard and other farmers at discussion groups and events as the main source of information when entering farming. Gillian explains the benefits of the once-a-day milking systems with particular emphasis on the positive effect on labour and the benefits it confers for their young family as well as positive health and fertility benefits for their cows. Milk solids took a 20% hit in the first year of once-a-day milking but recovered in Year 3 to levels of 365 kg milk solids - similar to what they produced twice-a-day. They have now exceeded this performance, delivering almost 390 kg milk solids in 2017. Gillian emphasises how the A+B-C payment system is advantageous to them with 9% milk constituents and lower milk volume. 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

On this week's episode of the Dairy Edge podcast we speak to Aidan Lawless, Farm Manager of the dairy herd at Johnstown Castle. As the gap widens between the milk production of the spring and autumn calved cows, Aidan explains the current performance and diet. Cumulative performance is similar for the autumn herd compared to the 2016/2017 lactation, while the spring calving cows have a consistently lower protein % compared with 2017. Aidan talks through current grassland management practices with particular emphasis on methods to maximise grass utilisation during this period of moisture deficit. Finally, Aidan quantifies the first cut silage yields achieved in late May.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

On this week's episode of The Dairy Edge podcast we're finding out how to deal with the current grassland situation on dairy farms across Ireland after the recent challenging weather conditions. We speak to grassland researcher, Michael Egan, who advises each farmer to assess their own situation by completing a grass cover and updating their feed budget. John Maher also tells us about an upcoming Grass 10 event at Tim Crowley's farm in Bandon, Co. Cork. Tim was winner in the Young Farmer category of the Grassland Farmer of the Year competition for 2017 and the farm walk is being held on March 29th. For more information: Teagasc.ie

On this week's episode of The Dairy Edge podcast we speak to calf expert Emer Kennedy. Emer talks us through labour saving techniques around the calf rearing process from now until weaning. She explains that once-a-day calf feeding will reduce the labour input around calf care by one-third. Research has shown there is no difference in average daily gain between calves fed once-a-day or twice-a-day but there was a significant reduction in labour. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2017/Section3-Milk-feeding.pdf https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/CalfcareeventBooklet.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyhwegNyjls

On this week's show we focus on the recovery on dairy farms after Storm Emma. Aidan Lawless, farm manager from Teagasc Johnstown Castle, explains how they are coping with the heavy snow. Aidan gives an insight into the change in diet of the spring and autumn calving cows in the last week, with the spring calving cows shifting from a grazed grass and concentrate diet to silage and concentrate indoors. He also mentioned the implications of rehousing cows, such as cases of mastitis. Joe Kelleher, dairy advisor from Newcastle West, gives advice on how to manage the dairy cow and grassland as conditions remains challenging on a lot of farms in the aftermath of the storm. Where cows are housed Joe emphasises the importance of practices to maintain high milk quality; keeping cubicles scrapped and limed, and stripping teats prior to milking. Joe recommends getting out with nitrogen to drive grass growth, Urea between now and St Patrick's Day and 18-6-12 from then on to provide a source of phosphorus and potassium to the growing grass plant.

On this week's show we focus on udder health. Don Crowley, mastitis expert and dairy advisor based at Teagasc Clonakilty, talks through the common strains of mastitis identified in Ireland and the declining trend of somatic cell count (SCC) in the national dairy herd. According to Don, good milking procedure will contribute to lower SCC in early lactation. Furthermore, research has shown elevated somatic cell count leads to lower profitability, resulting from lower milk production, higher culling rates and veterinary treatment costs. For more information: teagasc.ie

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