Grass growth
Aidan Brennan on 14 Jun 2021
Dairy management: nothing cures high growth rates like high growth rates
Grass growth rates have been phenomenally high and quality is very difficult to manage, writes Aidan Brennan.
Kieran Mailey on 12 Jun 2021
Five tips for closing off swards for second cut silage
Where silage has been harvested in early to mid June, fields should be fertilised and closed off for second cut as early as possible. Outlined are five tips for closing off fields for second cut.
Adam Woods on 11 Jun 2021
Tullamore Farm: grass growth explosion and latest bull kill
Adam Woods checks in with Tullamore Farm manager Shaun Diver to see what’s been happening on the farm this week.
Shane Murphy on 11 Jun 2021
In pictures: bigger entry met with strong demand in Roscrea
While most marts are seeing numbers reduce as we head deeper into the summer months, Roscrea’s entry was up 40 head on the week.
Noel Bardon on 11 Jun 2021
Weekend weather: slightly cooler as settled conditions continue
Met Éireann has predicted a mild weekend, with scattered showers and cool breezes in some areas. Temperatures will peak at 20°C to 24°C in the southeast over Sunday.
Kieran Mailey on 09 Jun 2021
Making up a silage deficit after first cut
Cold weather during May meant lighter crops of first cut silage were harvested. Completing a fodder budget in June will indicate if a deficit can be made up with second cut. Kieran Mailey writes.
Aidan Brennan on 09 Jun 2021
Dairy Management: grass quality, clover and mastitis
Aidan Brennan has some tips for managing grass quality during periods of very high growth rates
Darren Carty on 09 Jun 2021
Sheep throughput down 9% in 2021
Last week’s throughput exceeded 50,000 head for the first time since the turn of the year while overall throughput broke through the 1m head mark.
Aidan Brennan on 07 Jun 2021
Dairy management: how much meal for the summer?
Aidan Brennan looks at optimum meal feeding rates for dairy cows this summer.
Kieran Mailey on 05 Jun 2021
Five tips for managing grass quality in June
As grass growth starts to surge ahead of grazing demand, swards will start heading out. Outlined are five tips to managing sward quality during June to maintain high levels of cattle performance.
John Crowe on 05 Jun 2021
The Grass Week: trusting the figures
Pre-grazing covers are climbing, as grass growth is well in excess of demand on many farms, writes John Crowe.
Jack Kennedy on 04 Jun 2021
Watch: Farm Tech Talk - The Livestock Show
Grass growth has really kicked on and, this week, the specialists discuss what's happening to manage the grass burst on farms.
Noel Bardon on 04 Jun 2021
Weekend weather: mild bank holiday weekend with scattered showers
Apart from light rain and isolated showers, the weekend will remain dry, with highest temperatures of 19 degrees.
Darren Carty on 02 Jun 2021
Sheep management: lamb performance, grass growth and ewes on their back
Lamb slaughter performance continues to vary greatly across farms, with continuous reports of underweight and under-fleshed carcases.
John Crowe on 02 Jun 2021
Maintaining grass quality is crucial
John Crowe and Adam Woods discuss increased grass growth and dealing with the surplus grass on farms.
Contributor on 02 Jun 2021
Using seven-week weights to track performance
With performance to seven weeks on target, Teagasc researcher Frank Campion says the goal on farms participating in the Teagasc BETTER farm sheep programme is to carry this through to weaning.
Aidan Brennan on 31 May 2021
Dairy management: dealing with stemmy grass
May was wetter and colder than normal which made grassland management difficult, something farmers will have to deal with in June writes Aidan Brennan.
John Crowe on 29 May 2021
The Grass Week: things are looking up for the start of June
Grass growth rates are on the up as many wait for dryer weather to get silage cut, writes John Crowe.
Darren Carty on 29 May 2021
Sheep technical: reviewing preparations for weaning lambs
Poor grass growth rates and delays in getting silage cut are putting pressure on timelines to ensure top-quality grass is available to minimise any setback in performance at weaning.
Aidan Brennan on 26 May 2021
Weather dominates discussion at group meetings
Last week saw a return to normal discussion group activities after a six month hiatus due to COVID-19. Aidan Brennan reports on some of the topics discussed.