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4 days ago

Low Nitrogen Dairy Farming: The Role of White Clover

With increasing pressure on dairy farms to reduce nitrogen inputs whilst maintaining profitability, technologies such as white clover are attracting renewed interest. But how well does clover perform on heavier type soils that are common across the Border, Midlands and Western region, and how can farmers reduce fertiliser and feed nitrogen inputs without compromising grass growth or milk production? To help answer those questions, James Dunne is joined by Helena Walsh, PhD student with Teagasc, who has been leading a farm systems study at Ballyhaise Agricultural College examining the role of white clover in low nitrogen input grazing systems. Helena discusses the establishment and performance of clover swards, the impact on pasture and animal production, nitrogen use efficiency, and the practical lessons farmers can take from this work. 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

4 days ago

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15 min
1 June

Why Grazed Grass Still Wins on Feed Costs

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

1 June

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31 min
8 June

Breeding 2026: the need for a strong finish

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

8 June

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24 min
1 day ago

Your Weekly Grass10 Update

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: - mid-season management - red clover silage and managing 2nd cut silage - spraying and grazing reseeds - establishing fertiliser spread year to date Plus the featured farmer is Liam Rochford from Croase, Co. Wexford. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at: https://bit.ly/Grass10-23June 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

1 day ago

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9 min
19 June

Your Weekly Grass10 Update

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher says concentrate input should be reduced on farms where grass supply is adequate (cover/LU >160 kg DM/LU). A third of farms are over target and have a cover/LU >190 kg DM/ha. This will negatively impact: - Grass quality - negative impact on animal performance - Clean out of swards - feed wastage - Grass recovery and subsequent quality June is challenging for grass quality as we are now in the main heading phase for perennial ryegrass. Grass quality is critical for animal performance, particularly as young stock grass intake increases. Walk the farm every 4-5 days to inform decision making. Plus the featured farmer is William Blackburn from Kilworth,Co. Cork. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at: https://bit.ly/Grass10-16thJune 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

19 June

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12 min
16 June

Next Gen 2 and Kilworth Farm Update

Ricki Fitzgerald, Farm Manager of the Teagasc Moorepark Kilworth Farm, and Brian McCarthy, Researcher in Teagasc Moorepark, join Stuart Childs with a run down on how the year has gone so far on the Kilworth Farm and to talk a little about the Next Gen 2 trial that is in its first full year in 2026. Ricki says they had quite a good spring in 2026 despite the weather challenges with minimal health issues. Regular body condition scoring and managing cow condition was a significant part of this success. Grazing, while challenging, happened almost every day during the spring but only because they had the cover to start with and excellent infrastructure on the farm. A batt latch bought a few years ago has been instrumental in facilitating grazing in the evening during the spring also. The farm started breeding on April 27th and so far results have been exceptionally positive, with 96% of cows submitted in the first three weeks and early pregnancy scanning showing very high conception rates. Brian then spoke about the previous next generation trial and the outcomes of it and the the rationale for the current trial Next Gen 2 which is comparing National Average Holstein-Friesians with Elite Holstein-Friesians and Elite Jersey-cross cows. The previous iteration of the trial (2013–2016) showed that high-EBI cows were more fertile, survived longer in the herd, produced higher-value milk solids, and generated approximately €275 more profit per cow annually thus validating the EBI. Early results from the set-up year of 2025 and the figures from 2026 so far indicate that elite genetics continue to deliver higher fat and protein percentages, increasing milk value compared with national-average cows. However, this trial goes further than the effect of the genotypes as it is also looking at sustainability and beef performance through evaluating different stocking-rate systems, nitrogen-use efficiency, methane emissions, and overall environmental performance as well as examining how dairy cow genetics and beef sire selection affect dairy-beef calf value and lifetime beef performance. 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

16 June

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34 min
2 days ago

Why Lime and Soil Fertility Matter More Than Ever

Teagasc ASSAP programme manager, Cathal Somers, and Teagasc Specialist with the Signpost Programme, Mark Plunkett, discuss the importance of lime and soil fertility and the impact it can have on water quality, production and profitability. Water quality continues to be a major focus for farmers and Cathal outlines the main pressures affecting water quality on beef farms and the eight key actions in the Better Farming for Water campaign. Mark highlights how farmers have invested heavily in lime over recent years and the impact this is having and what further gains are possible from improving soil fertility. Mark also describes how farmers can assess the health of their own soils. At the BEEF 2026 Open Day there will be demonstrations of practical ways to improve soil health and water quality. Further details at: https://teagasc.ie/event/beef2026/ https://teagasc.ie/animals/beef/grange/beef2026-open-day/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

2 days ago

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22 min
12 Jan

Calf Rearing: Getting the Fundamentals Right

Michelle McGrath, Calf Care Programme Manager with Animal Health Ireland, joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the importance of good calf care and management as we move towards the busy calving period on farms. Michelle highlights best practice regarding colostrum management, calf rearing and weaning whilst also outlining what farmers can learn from the current Teagasc/Animal Health Ireland Calf Care events which are happening across the country. To find out more visit: https://teagasc.ie/corporate-events/calfcare-events/ 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

12 Jan

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27 min
15/06/2020

Grass 10 Champion Bryan Daniels on running a sustainable and profitable dairy farm

Dairy farmer and Grass 10 champion Bryan Daniels joins Emma-Louise Coffey to give his insights into running a sustainable and profitable dairy farm. Bryan considers the key elements of sustainable dairy farming and to him this equates to a stocking rate of approximately 2.5 cows per ha on his farm, incorporating white clover, maintaining high levels of soil fertility, spreading 220 kg N and feeding a maximum of 400 kg concentrate supplementation per cow. Additionally, Bryan wants to have a farm that is an attractive place to work and changes to infrastructure such as the installation of a rotary milking parlour has halved milking time. Finally, Bryan gives an insight into the efforts to maintain and restore biodiversity including hedgerows and explains that the farm has actively engaged in environmental initiatives including REPS and GLAS. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

15/06/2020

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34 min
12 June

Your Weekly Grass10 Update

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

12 June

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9 min

Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority – is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities.

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