Ground conditions
Declan Marren on 07 Apr 2021
Thrive: focus on 4cm post-grazing sward height in first grazing
With grazing conditions improving and the number of cattle at grass increasing over the coming days, the focus must now turn to achieving a good graze-out on pasture ground.
Darren Carty on 03 Apr 2021
Early lactation ewe supplementation rates for every scenario
The grass supply situation is hugely variable across farms, while next week’s sharp drop in temperatures is likely to require freshly lambed ewes and their lambs to be retained indoors for a period.
Peter McCann on 17 Mar 2021
Yields approach 10,000l in Armagh
Milk yields and butterfat levels have moved upwards on the Martin family farm. Peter McCann reports
on 17 Mar 2021
Big jump in growth to come
John Crowe and Declan Marren discuss spring grazing management, fertiliser application and the predicted rise in growth rates
Declan Marren on 17 Mar 2021
Grass+ Beef: last week’s heavy rain delaying cattle returning to grass
Ground conditions are improving this week after last week's heavy rain saw a lot of stock rehoused.
Declan Marren on 13 Mar 2021
Thrive: poor weather sees heifers rehoused for a period
The yearling heifers that had gone out to grass just a week ago have been rehoused due to poor weather conditions.
Declan Marren on 10 Mar 2021
Managing cow condition from calving to breeding
Having cows in the correct condition at breeding has the biggest single effect on breeding performance. Declan Marren writes.
Aidan Brennan on 10 Mar 2021
New entrant bucking the trend
Aidan Brennan visits Andrew Gardiner, a new entrant to dairy farming in Northern Ireland, to see how calving and grazing is progressing.
Andy Doyle on 10 Mar 2021
Tillage management: a week of work helps relieve frustration
The recent good weather has been very useful to get winter spraying up to date, to get fertiliser applied and to get some planting done.
Peter McCann on 10 Mar 2021
Picking cows for early turnout in Antrim
Early grazing makes grassland management easier in April and May.
Tommy Moyles on 10 Mar 2021
Farmer Writes: good weather allows cows and calves out
The good weather has meant that, with the exception of one, every calf born up to last Saturday has gone to grass, writes Tommy Moyles.
Declan Marren on 10 Mar 2021
Grass+ Beef: a wet week puts a dampener on grazing
Grazing conditions have deteriorated over the past few days which has seen some cattle rehoused.
Stephen Robb on 10 Mar 2021
Listen: progress made in tillage fields, but conditions are mixed
It has been a busy week in tillage fields around the country, where growers have been able to spread fertiliser, catch up with spraying, plant beans and get the first of the barley and wheat in.
Aidan Brennan on 08 Mar 2021
Dairy management: key weeks on dairy farms
The next three weeks are a critical time on dairy farms, writes Aidan Brennan.
Kieran Mailey on 06 Mar 2021
Beef management: Five tips to prepare cattle for spring turnout
Turning cattle out to grass in mid to late March takes planning to make sure animals do not run out of grass. Outlined are some tips to get animals ready for grazing.
Andy Doyle on 03 Mar 2021
Tillage Management: what a difference a week makes to ground conditions
The improvement in ground conditions over the past week has enabled huge a lot of activity on the land this week, from fertilising to planting.
Darren Carty on 03 Mar 2021
Sheep Management: prompt fertiliser application and ewe-hogget dilemma
Ground conditions have improved significantly in many parts of the country this week and producers should be ready to apply fertiliser once conditions allow to kickstart grass growth.
Declan Marren on 03 Mar 2021
Grass+ Beef: turnout commences with lighter cattle
A dry week has seen many farms let out at least some stock with small batches of weanlngs or replacement heifers the first to hit grass in most instances.
Kieran Mailey on 27 Feb 2021
Beef Management: five tips for spring fertiliser applications
With settled weather in the week ahead, there will be an opportunity to get fertiliser applied to grazing swards. Follow these five tips to get the most from spring fertiliser.
Aidan Brennan on 24 Feb 2021
Watch: share-milking driving net worth in Mayo
Top class performance is making share-milking work on this 120-cow farm in Co Mayo.