The Dairy Edge

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