Silage making – Improving quality to alleviate cost pressures
In the current climate of rising farm input costs, the focus must be turned towards increasing efficiencies inside the farm gate – which includes...
Encouraging calf rumen development
Newborn calves are born with undeveloped rumens, yet they will spend most of their lives as fully functioning ruminants. The main objective over the...
Optimising grazed grass in the dairy cow diet
Dairy cow diets that contain a high proportion of grazed grass will have greater energy density, which is extremely beneficial in early lactation....
Have we forgotten about the post-calving cow?
In general, we are quite good at focusing on mineral provision for the dry cow. However, thereafter we often discount the mineral requirement of the...
Selecting a calf milk replacer this spring
The first 0-6 months in a calf’s life is crucial. According to Teagasc research, although the first 6 months of life only equates to 8% of that...
Calving 2022 – Preparing for the new arrivals
As we fast approach the onset of calving, it is important to have an organised plan in place to achieve a successful calf rearing programme. The...
“We have cut lameness completely out of the herd”
In intensively fed animals, there is a constant challenge to juggle the balance between optimising milk and meat output in the most economical way,...
How this Longford farmer protects his herd from milk fever
How you feed and manage your herd during the dry cow period will influence subsequent yields and fertility, along with conditions which manifest...
Successful calf rearing – Getting the basics right
The ultimate goal of calf rearing is to set up a heifer to achieve target weights over her lifetime in order to maximise profitability. These...
Reducing The Risk Of Milk Fever
Research indicates a sole case of milk fever can cost circa €312 when veterinary bills and consequential production losses are accounted for, not to...
Silage Quality and Supplementation – Penny-wise For Beef Farmers
Silage quality is the cornerstone of animal performance and profitability in all beef systems, and with soaring feed costs, the need for better...
Achieving Replacement Heifer Targets
With most spring calving herds, the current focus centres around drying off the main herd and getting set up for the dry period. However, it is...