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Bill
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Bill O'Keeffe is a Nuffield Scholar and farms at Clara Co. Kilkenny with his father Philip and uncle Matt. They milk 180 spring calving pedigree British Friesian cows, supplying Glanbia Co-op.
Bill O'Keeffe on 05 Jun 2019
Farmer Writes: a stitch in time could prevent a lot of damage
In 2018 for example, GII struggled to pay a direct milk price to suppliers but still had a profit after tax of €57.8m, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 22 May 2019
Farmer Writes: dosing calves and concern over nitrates derogation
This week, Bill O'Keeffe writes about how breeding is going, having to dose calves and the nitrates derogation.
Bill O'Keeffe on 08 May 2019
Farmer Writes: breeding and closing off for silage
We have made no silage bales yet but will probably have to take out some paddocks next week after the rain, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 29 Apr 2019
Farmer Writes: grass jumping out of the ground with the heat
It’s been a great start to the year so hopefully it will continue, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 10 Apr 2019
Farmer writes: Glanbia/Kepak calf scheme a step in the right direction
This week Bill O'Keeffe is tail painting cows and takes a look at the new Glanbia-Kepak calf scheme.
Bill O'Keeffe on 28 Mar 2019
Farmer Writes: good Friesians struggling on the grid
We are down to the last dozen cows to calve this week and we should be down to just a handful by next week with a bit of luck, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 13 Mar 2019
Disappointing milk price drop for first big pay cheque
Bill O’Keeffe reacts to the Glanbia milk price cut and how the changed weather is affecting his farm.
Bill O'Keeffe on 01 Mar 2019
Farmer Writes: weather contrast to last year is unbelievable
One year on from the the beast from the east, this week Bill O'Keeffe writes that the contrast is unbelievable.
Bill O'Keeffe on 13 Feb 2019
Farmer Writes: pressure easing after burst of calves
It can get very intense for a short period of time at calving, writes Bill O'Keeffe, with two-thirds of the herd now calved.
Bill O'Keeffe on 30 Jan 2019
Farmer Writes: calved cows out grazing day and night
Over 100 cows have calved down on Bill O'Keeffe's farm, with bull calves for beef starting to move off the farm in a week or so.
Bill O'Keeffe on 16 Jan 2019
Farmer Writes: making the most of the good conditions as calving starts
Seven new arrivals have landed on Bill O'Keeffe's farm in Kilkenny, while farm covers are sitting at 1,200kg DM/ha.
Bill O'Keeffe on 02 Jan 2019
Farmer Writes: waving goodbye to the weather extremes of 2018
Bill O'Keeffe reflects on the meteorological extremes of 2018 and looks forward to calving in 2019.