Without doubt 2025 has been a textbook year for dairy farming in most parts of the country. Grass production was up, grazing conditions were excellent and for most of the year milk price had remained steady.
While this was the case for the vast majority, certain areas in the south and east of the country have had a much tougher time of it.
As has been the case for the last number of years in these regions, prolonged periods of moisture deficits and droughts have hit farms very hard.
Figures from Teagasc Pasturebase are showing annual production of between 10 to 11t DM/ha year to date on some of those farms in the affected areas, many of whom would have previously grown well over 14t in the past.
This drop in available feed is a real issue and worry for farmers and it’s a topic that the Irish Farmers Journal will be covering in detail at Dairy Day 2025.
Teagasc Moorepark have ongoing research work on the topics and Dr Brendan Horan will be there on the day to discuss some of the findings.
Brendan will be outlining the effects that different stocking rates have at pinch points of the year, as well as some of the research work being done in relation to fodder crops and alternative grazing options that may be able to help carry farms through the stress periods.
Joining Brendan on the panel is sustainable grassland farmer of the year for 2025, Mike Ahern. Mike is an excellent operator, milking 290 cows in Ballyduff, Co Waterford. He has years of experience when it comes to managing the farm through prolonged periods of dry weather and low growth rates, in one of the areas of the country most affected by the problem.
Michael Tobin was one of many farmers who was forced to feed silage during the month of August this year. \ Donal O' Leary
The third and final guest on the panel discussion is Simon Lynskey. Simon and his wife Lisa have travelled to Ireland for the day, all the way from New Zealand’s north island. They are currently milking 1,600 cows in the well-known dairy region of Taranaki. New Zealand has experienced several dry summers over the last number of years and Simon’s input will be an invaluable part of the discussion on the day.
This is a topic that unfortunately isn’t going to go away and the likelihood is, dry summers and droughts could become the norm into the future. This session is one that will equip farmers with the tools they need to address the issue head on and in plenty of time.
Dairy Day 2025 is fast approaching. The event is taking place in the University of Limerick on the 15 November. Get your tickets now in the link below and use the discount code DAIRY10 at checkout to get 50% off.
Buy your tickets here.
Without doubt 2025 has been a textbook year for dairy farming in most parts of the country. Grass production was up, grazing conditions were excellent and for most of the year milk price had remained steady.
While this was the case for the vast majority, certain areas in the south and east of the country have had a much tougher time of it.
As has been the case for the last number of years in these regions, prolonged periods of moisture deficits and droughts have hit farms very hard.
Figures from Teagasc Pasturebase are showing annual production of between 10 to 11t DM/ha year to date on some of those farms in the affected areas, many of whom would have previously grown well over 14t in the past.
This drop in available feed is a real issue and worry for farmers and it’s a topic that the Irish Farmers Journal will be covering in detail at Dairy Day 2025.
Teagasc Moorepark have ongoing research work on the topics and Dr Brendan Horan will be there on the day to discuss some of the findings.
Brendan will be outlining the effects that different stocking rates have at pinch points of the year, as well as some of the research work being done in relation to fodder crops and alternative grazing options that may be able to help carry farms through the stress periods.
Joining Brendan on the panel is sustainable grassland farmer of the year for 2025, Mike Ahern. Mike is an excellent operator, milking 290 cows in Ballyduff, Co Waterford. He has years of experience when it comes to managing the farm through prolonged periods of dry weather and low growth rates, in one of the areas of the country most affected by the problem.
Michael Tobin was one of many farmers who was forced to feed silage during the month of August this year. \ Donal O' Leary
The third and final guest on the panel discussion is Simon Lynskey. Simon and his wife Lisa have travelled to Ireland for the day, all the way from New Zealand’s north island. They are currently milking 1,600 cows in the well-known dairy region of Taranaki. New Zealand has experienced several dry summers over the last number of years and Simon’s input will be an invaluable part of the discussion on the day.
This is a topic that unfortunately isn’t going to go away and the likelihood is, dry summers and droughts could become the norm into the future. This session is one that will equip farmers with the tools they need to address the issue head on and in plenty of time.
Dairy Day 2025 is fast approaching. The event is taking place in the University of Limerick on the 15 November. Get your tickets now in the link below and use the discount code DAIRY10 at checkout to get 50% off.
Buy your tickets here.
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