Grass quality
on 07 Apr 2021
Grass+Dairy: growth rates to slow as cold weather persists
John Crowe and Declan Marren discuss starting the second rotation and keeping quality grass in the diet
Peter McCann on 10 Mar 2021
Picking cows for early turnout in Antrim
Early grazing makes grassland management easier in April and May.
Darren Carty on 03 Mar 2021
Management during lactation will affect subsequent fertility
At the recent Teagasc virtual hill sheep conference UK sheep consultant Liz Genever outlined how ewe nutrition and condition score will influence fertility regardless of subsequent management.
Darren Carty on 27 Jan 2021
Teagasc sheep conference: stick to optimum grazing heights for top performance
At part one of the Teagasc sheep conference, Professor Paul Kenyon said that sheep performance is always maximised, irrespective of the crop, by sticking to optimum grazing management.
Stephen Connolly on 16 Dec 2020
2020 vision: grass year in review
As the grass-growing year winds down, Stephen Connolly looks back at the year that was and outlines what farmers can expect on the Irish Farmers Journal grass courses.
Aidan Brennan on 25 Nov 2020
Dairy Day: highlights from virtual event
Jack Kennedy, Aidan Brennan and Stephen Connolly review Dairy Day 2020 – the virtual edition.
Darren Carty on 28 Oct 2020
Persistency issues undermining value of alternative forages in sheep
In an ongoing trial in Teagasc Athenry lamb performance is benefiting greatly from the inclusion of herbal forages and clover but the challenge is keeping these present in the sward.
Darren Carty on 21 Oct 2020
Changing tactics to keep grazing on track
Heavier rainfall at the start of the week is presenting more challenges in grazing out heavier covers and achieving relatively good levels of grass utilisation.
Aidan Brennan on 21 Oct 2020
Grassland Farmer of the Year: meet the finalists
Aidan Brennan profiles three more farmers in the Grassland Farmer of the Year competition.
Stephen Connolly on 17 Oct 2020
The Grass Week: keeping the focus in the final rotation
Keeping the focus in the final rotation will ensure you start the 2021 grazing season on the right foot, Stephen Connolly writes.
Kieran Mailey on 30 Sep 2020
BETTER Farm NI: 10 steps to bull beef finishing systems
Bull beef systems have been the most profitable throughout the programme. Kieran Mailey outlines some of the steps followed by the programme farmers when finishing bulls.
Stephen Connolly on 26 Sep 2020
Closing up the farm – autumn rotational planner
Stephen Connolly looks at setting up your an Autumn rotational planner for your final rotation
Stephen Connolly on 19 Sep 2020
The Grass Week: how grazing infrastructure is helping to get extra days at grass
Extending the grazing season through good grazing infrastructure in Kerry.
Kieran Mailey on 16 Sep 2020
BETTER Farm NI: preparing for housing and weaning
Jonathan Blair is preparing to house stores for finishing as well as weaning spring-born calves.
Darren Carty on 09 Sep 2020
Sheep management: temporary grazing, drafting progress and Teagasc sheep week
There is likely to be greater availability of temporary grazing agreements this year if weather remains challenging and the store lamb trade continues to perform strongly.
Kieran Mailey on 05 Sep 2020
Beef management: Five tips to get the most from creep-feeding
Creep-feeding calves will soon be common sight on suckler farms, to boost weight gains in autumn and prepare animals for weaning.
Kieran Mailey on 02 Sep 2020
BETTER farm NI: autumn-calving finishing up in Tyrone
August has been a busy month for Declan Rafferty and Aidan Quinn with 22 cows calving down, leaving four cows still to go.
Stephen Connolly on 02 Sep 2020
Grass+: intakes increase with low dry matter in grass
Reassess your grass situation and ensure to identify any shortfalls early as it’s much easier build covers in periods of high growth.
Kieran Mailey on 02 Sep 2020
NI Sheep Programme: getting the flock ready for breeding
Clement Lynch outlined the steps he is taking to get his 500-ewe flock ready for breeding this autumn.
Peter McCann on 26 Aug 2020
Creating opportunities for spring 2021
Dairylink Ireland farmers are making plans for next spring. Peter McCann reports