The Dairy Edge
The Dairy Edge is Teagasc's dairy podcast for farmers, offering the latest information, insights, and opinions to help improve dairy farm performance. Each episode covers topics relevant to dairy farming, including management, nutrition, and breeding. The podcast aims to support farmers with practical advice and expert knowledge.
Episodes
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: Doing a fodder available budget for your farmAssessing weed burden in recent reseedsTemperatures increasing again - water supply priority for animals Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-11thAugust For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to
Trying to get time off - help others to help you
Eoghan Byrne, project manager in FRS farm services, and MTU Agriculture student, Cormac Harnett, who works as an operator with the FRS in Cork joins Stuart Childs to discuss how farmers can help themselves get a bit of a break from the work by making it easier to work on their farm.Both Eoghan and Cormac say that planning and communication are central by giving operators advance notice an
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: Establishing recovery on paddocksCaution with fertiliser applicationAssessing fodder available on farm Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-4thAugust For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/
Advisory Update: What's happening on the ground?
Emily Gowing, Teagasc Dairy Advisor based in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, joins James Dunne for an update on the current situation on farms in her catchment and she has some key pieces of advice for farmers over the coming weeks.For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-production wi
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: The need to walk the farm to assess grass growth and supply on farmReducing demand on farm Caution with fertiliserAnd the featured farm update comes from Sean Carpenter, Co. Kildare. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-28thJuly For more episodes fro
Managing stock in drought or near drought conditions
Colman Purcell, Nutritionist with Dairygold Agri Business, joins Stuart Childs to discuss managing stock in drought or near drought conditions.Colman praises the farmers in the Dairygold catchment who have been affected by the dry weather for how they have dealt with it up to now, maintaining milk and protein performance, a response that he credits to their knowledge of how to react in th
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: Assessing grass supply on farmReducing demand on farmNutrient application during reduced growthWater supplyAnd the featured farm update comes from Cathal Nash, Co. Clare.Plus, Pat Tuohy of Teagasc joins John for a land drainage discussion and Q&A. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for we
Dairy Calf to Beef – What Does the Future Hold?
Pádraig French from Teagasc, who is closely involved in dairy-beef research, including the Ballyvadin Calf-to-Beef Demonstration Farm, joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge. They discuss the key management practices that drive performance, the role of Commercial Beef Value (CBV), what makes these systems financially successful, and what the latest research is telling us about the fu
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: Managing reduced growthMaking a grazing plan for the coming 10 days (no rain forecast)How can farms reduce demand?Plus the featured farm update comes from Paul Bowden, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-14thJuly For more e
Managing Fertiliser Decisions in Dry Conditions
John O’Loughlin, Head of Sustainability at Grassland Agro, joins Stuart Childs to discuss the impact of CBAM, fertiliser advice in dry conditions and two upcoming farm walks that will be worth attending this July. John first explains the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) which is adding approximately €50/t to urea in 2026, with the potential to rise significantly in future ye
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: - Managing reduced growth- Walk the farm- 2nd cut silage- Infrastructure Month Plus the featured farm update comes from Tommie Devine, Co. Roscommon Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-7thJune For more episodes from the Dair
From Relief Milker to Dairy Farmer: Cian Jobe's Journey into Dairy Farming
Longford dairy farmer, Cian Jobe’s journey into dairy farming is one that's likely to resonate with many young people interested in the industry. Growing up on a suckler farm, he developed a passion for dairying through relief milking before progressing through agricultural education, farm management and, more recently, farming in his own right. Cian joins James Dunne to talk about the
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: - Mid-season management- Managing 2nd cut- Establish fertiliser spread year to date Plus the featured farm update comes from the Derrypatrick Herd, Dunsany, Co. Meath. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-30thJune For more
Award-Winning Dairy Farming with Tom and Michael Ryan
Tom and Michael Ryan, winners of the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Award for 2025, join Stuart Childs on the day of their farm walk following their win. Tom gives a bit of background to the their farm and how they have been farming there since the 1860s. Michael then explains the decisions made to facilitate him returning home in 2018 and he outlines the current performance of the herd
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses: - mid-season management- red clover silage and managing 2nd cut silage- spraying and grazing reseeds- establishing fertiliser spread year to date Plus the featured farmer is Liam Rochford from Croase, Co. Wexford. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates a
Low Nitrogen Dairy Farming: The Role of White Clover
With increasing pressure on dairy farms to reduce nitrogen inputs whilst maintaining profitability, technologies such as white clover are attracting renewed interest. But how well does clover perform on heavier type soils that are common across the Border, Midlands and Western region, and how can farmers reduce fertiliser and feed nitrogen inputs without compromising grass growth or milk
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher says concentrate input should be reduced on farms where grass supply is adequate (cover/LU >160 kg DM/LU). A third of farms are over target and have a cover/LU >190 kg DM/ha. This will negatively impact:- Grass quality - negative impact on animal performance- Clean out of swards - feed wastage- Grass re
Next Gen 2 and Kilworth Farm Update
Ricki Fitzgerald, Farm Manager of the Teagasc Moorepark Kilworth Farm, and Brian McCarthy, Researcher in Teagasc Moorepark, join Stuart Childs with a run down on how the year has gone so far on the Kilworth Farm and to talk a little about the Next Gen 2 trial that is in its first full year in 2026. Ricki says they had quite a good spring in 2026 despite the weather challenges with minimal
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains that June is a challenging month for grass quality as we are now in the main heading phase for perennial ryegrass. Pre grazing yield is too high on many farms:- Watch rotation length (Target 18-21 days)- Minimise stem content- Grazing covers >1500 kg DM/ha will have a negative effect on animal perf
Breeding 2026: the need for a strong finish
With breeding season reaching the midpoint on many spring-calving dairy farms, we're taking stock of how the season has progressed so far and discussing the key management decisions for the weeks ahead. Doreen Corridan, CEO of NCBC, joins James Dunne to discuss breeding performance to date, trends in dairy and beef semen usage, managing cows that have yet to be served, and the key actions
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses tackling surplus grass and why flexibility is required to take out surplus bales. Plus he explains how grazed grass delivers the lowest feed cost, even with higher fertiliser prices. Meanwhile, the featured farmer is John Payne from Moydow, Co. Longford. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for
Why Grazed Grass Still Wins on Feed Costs
With the increased cost of fuel and fertiliser, Peter Doyle, Grassland Researcher in Teagasc, Grange, joins Stuart Childs to discuss the cost of growing grass, silage and other feeds. Peter outlines the costs that he uses in the Grange Feed Costing Model which are of course assumptions but are necessary for the model to function. He emphasises that grazed grass delivers the lowest feed co
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains that the challenge on farm now will be keeping the right grass in front of the animals. Swards of low or no stem will maximise animal performance Performance is maximised when the pre-grazing yield is between 1300-1400 kg DM/ha. Meanwhile, the featured farmer is Michael McGuigan, from Longwood, Co. Meath. Read more fro
Securing the Future of Irish Dairying: Succession, Progression & Collaborative Farming
This week we’re discussing generational renewal in Irish dairying and the challenges facing farmers young farmers trying to enter and progress within the sector while also discussing what options are available to farmers who may not have an identified successor. Joining James Dunne is Conor Hogan from the GROdairy Project — Generational Renewal Opportunities for Irish Dairy Farm Businesse
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses the impact of pre-grazing yield on protein, plus how to correct pre-grazing yield on farm. Meanwhile, the featured farmer is John Phelan from Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-19thMay For more episodes from the Dairy Ed
Claire Mooney on Water Quality Tips
Claire Mooney, Catchment Coordinator for the Suir, joins Stuart Childs to discuss practical tips for farmers in relation to improving water quality. Claire first explains immediate on-farm actions to improve environmental compliance and efficiency, including better silage management, protecting waterways with fencing and alternative drinking points, improving slurry and effluent handling,
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher says that the majority of farms are grazing covers too high. As we move further into May, grass composition is changing and keeping grass quality correct becomes more challenging. To ensure grass quality is maintained to maximise animal performance pre-grazing yield has to be between 1300-1400 kg DM/ha. Meanwhile, the featured
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains why the target for pre-grazing yield in the mid-season is 1300-1400 kg DM/ha. John also discusses first cut silage and taking surplus bales to be part of grassland management over the next month. Meanwhile, the featured farmer is David Lowry from Churchminister, Co. Donegal. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newslette
Grass to Cash: Driving profit through better grazing
Mick O’Donovan, Head of the Grassland Science Department in Moorepark, and Joe Patton, Head of Dairy KT, join James Dunne to discuss how farmers can maximise margin in the months ahead, focusing on the key grazing management practices and feeding decisions that underpin performance on Irish dairy farms. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.teaga
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher says that we're now entering into higher growth rates and reproductive stage of the perennial ryegrass plant:· Pre grazing yield must target 1300 - 1400 kg DM/ha on all farms· This will enable the animals to graze and clean out the sward to 4 cm· Grass should be green leaf from top to bottom For fertiliser, when
How Reseeding Supports Higher Performance
Tom O’Connell, dairy farmer in Inniscarra, near Cork city, and John Maher of Grass10, join Stuart Childs to discuss the importance and management of reseeding. John first outlines the national figures which are poor in terms of the amount of reseeding taking place each year and this is a negative for the industry. Tom is the opposite, reseeding every year on both grazing platform and sila
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher says that 42% of farms are well above target AFC (> 750 kg DM/ha) largely due to challenging grazing conditions. While each farm is individual, these key rules need to be applied:- Maximum SR of 4.2 LU/ha- Minimum AFC of 160 kg DM/LU Now is also a good time to assess clover content in your paddocks and the aim is
White Clover: Benefits, Challenges & Learnings with Mike Egan
Teagasc Grassland Science Researcher, Mike Egan, joins James Dunne to discuss some of the common questions regarding establishing and managing grass clover swards. Mike outlines the benefits for farmers but also discusses the challenges and learnings that have been seen throughout the Clover 150 commercial farm trial. The correct chemical nitrogen strategy is outlined and why clover co
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains how walking the farm will allow you to assess what your grass supply is (AFC). If you are below target AFC <650kg DM/ha:- Reduce demand on the farm to lift AFC to 650kg DM/ha. This may require grazing additional land (silage ground, replacement heifer area)- Increase feed supplementation (ration, silage)
Dairy Management Tips for April
Mark Treacy, Dairy Specialist in Teagasc Clonakilty, joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss management tips for April. Mark explains that dairy farms are in various positions: some have moved too quickly into second-round grazing, others are well-balanced with remaining first-round grass, and some (especially on heavy ground) are delayed due to poor weather conditions. H
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains why a flexible approach has to be applied on farm to begin the 2nd rotation and particular caution needs to be taken on farms that are starting the 2nd rotation to ensure AFC stays above 650 kg DM/ha. Walk the farm on a more regular basis as growth increases. Average farm cover needs to stay above 650 kg DM/ha. Take
Better Farming for Water with Pat Dillon
Water quality continues to be a major focus for the agricultural industry, and while farmers are already making changes on farm, there is increasing emphasis on how practical actions can improve water quality outcomes at catchment level. In this episode, Pat Dillon from Teagasc joins James Dunne to discuss the Better Farming for Water campaign. Pat explains what the Better Farming for W
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses why, due to the challenging conditions in spring 2026, a flexible approach has to be applied on farm to begin the 2nd rotation. By early April, dry farms should have about 60 units (75 kg N/ha) of N applied (combination of fertiliser and slurry) and most farms need to assess regrowths on the first 3 paddocks grazed fo
The Future of Irish Dairy Breeding with Donagh Berry
Prof. Donagh Berry, Quantitative Geneticist at Teagasc Moorepark, joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the future of Irish Dairy Breeding Programmes. Donagh first explains that breeding is all about numbers. With the uptake in use of sexed semen, the pool of dairy bull calves being born has shrunk and while this was part of the objective of using it in the first place,
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses why monitoring grass supply on farm is critically important at this time of the year; growth rates are predicted to be above average for the coming week so walk the farm and establish regrowth on paddocks grazed first in spring. Plus, it’s important to get up to date with Nutrient applications – the aim is to have 60
ICBF Breeding Guidelines
Kevin Downing and Dan O’Riordan of ICBF join Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the Spring Breeding Guidelines that will be arriving to farmers across the country this week. Kevin explains how the scorecard included in the guidelines can be used to identify the herd strengths and weaknesses to allow people to see where they may need to target improvement. He then discusses
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, with the weather improving and a significant decrease in rainfall expected, John Maher discusses the increase in grass growth rate. There's now an opportunity to get more of the farm grazed:· Get animals out (priority groups such as replacement heifers)· Day and night grazing for dairy herd It is especially important to prioriti
Adding value to the Irish milk pool with Conor Mulvihill, Dairy Industry Ireland
This week’s Dairy Edge is a special episode as it marks the 500th show of the podcast. The first episode aired on 11th January 2018, when Emma-Louise Coffey was joined by dairy farmer, John Leahy, and Teagasc ruminant nutritionist, Brian Garry, to discuss preparing for the spring calving season and managing forage supplies. Since then the podcast audience has grown significantly with th
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses the importance of getting animals out grazing and why on/off grazing is the best approach to get going. Plus, getting the farm ready to move and having fertiliser ordered and in the yard will allow farms to take the opportunity spread when conditions allow Meanwhile, Michael Smith from Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan is thi
Keeping cows & calves healthy in March - a vet’s perspective
Marie Louise Ryan, veterinary practitioner with Mulcair vets covering the counties Limerick and Tipperary joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge to highlight what issues are raising their head at farm level when it comes to herd health on dairy farms at the moment. Marie Louise also discusses what farmers can do from a management perspective over the coming weeks to ensure good cow
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses updated spring targets, getting the farm ready to move, and why on/off grazing should be used to maximise the level of grass in the diet. Plus the featured farmer is Enda Walsh from Oranmore, Co. Galway. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-3rdMarch
March Management Tips with John Maher and Mike Bermingham
John Maher of Grass 10 and dairy farmer, Mike Bermingham, join Stuart Childs to discuss the challenges of grazing in 2026 and how to overcome them. John explains how February has been wet and people have been holding off grazing in the hope of dry weather, however, the forecast is middling at best for the next few weeks so people will have to make a start for the good of the grass and the
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses being proactive and identifying what feed is available on the farm, dealing with the challenging conditions and why on/off grazing is the most important tool available to farmers at the present time. The featured farmer is Shane Seymour from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subs
The Road to 2030: A Clear Direction for Irish Dairy
Emer Kennedy, Dairy Enterprise leader, Teagasc Moorepark and Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, join James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the recently launched Teagasc Dairy Roadmap 2030 — a blueprint for where the Irish dairy sector needs to go over the remainder of this decade. The roadmap sets out clear KPIs across profitability, sustainability, breeding, labour
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses on/off grazing, picking your paddocks and grass budgeting. The featured farmer is Ger Whelan from Ballinahinch, Co. Clare. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-17thFeb For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.t
€500 per Cow: Building the Financial Safety Net for 2026
Donal Whelton, Head of Agri at AIB, joins Stuart Childs to discuss the financial situation that Irish dairy farmers are currently in and what challenges they may face and the solutions they may require in 2026. Donal says that the Irish dairy sector is entering 2026 from a position of financial strength. Farm debt levels are nearly half of what they were in 2009. Meanwhile, farm cash bala
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses current grass growth, prediction for grass growth, plus rain and average soil temperature for the next 7 days. The featured farmer is Stephen Burchill from Bandon, Co. Cork. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-10thFebruary For more episodes from the
Reducing your workload on dairy farms this spring
Conor Hogan, Research Officer with Teagasc Moorepark, whose work has focused on labour efficiency and work organisation on dairy farms, and Martina Gormley, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, who works closely with farmers on practical ways to reduce workload, join James Dunne on this week's Dairy Edge. With spring calving commenced on the majority of dairy farms it places an increased demand on f
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher explains why opening farm cover measurement should be prioritised this week. Plus he discusses the importance of completing a spring rotation planner in PastureBase with the target for March 1st to have about 30% of the farm grazed. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly
February Focus: Fresh Cows, Quality Colostrum & Early Grazing Planning
Padraig O’Connor, Dairy Technician with Teagasc in Grange, joins Stuart Childs with tips and advice for the month of February. Padraig discusses the management of the freshly calved cows as a separate group. Keeping these cows in for a few days after calving in a fresh-calved group allows recovery, easier observation and reduced bullying. Control of the colostrum group also simplifies mi
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher gives an update on the first set of figures in terms of grass supply from PastureBase Ireland. Plus he talks about the grazing management plan for the spring. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-27thJanuary For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to t
TB Update: Understanding the recent changes for your dairy herd
This week’s Dairy Edge is from a recent Teagasc webinar entitled, ‘TB Update – Understanding the Recent Changes for Your Dairy Farm.’ TB continues to be a major challenge for the dairy sector, with herd incidence rising above 6% in 2024. There are now significant changes being introduced through the new TB Action Plan. James Dunne hosted the webinar and was joined by Damien Barrett, Head
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher has a few tips before the grazing season gets going and he gives a summary of the farmers’ contributions from Nutrient Management Week 2026. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-20thJanuary For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:ht
Nutrient Management Week: Setting up the fertiliser spreader
Setting up the fertiliser spreader correctly is important to ensure accurate and even placement of fertiliser. John Corbett from Grassland Agro joins John Maher for the final daily episode as part of Nutrient Management Week to discuss this important aspect of nutrient application and management. Join us on the Dairy Edge each day of Nutrient Management Week for special episodes from farm
Nutrient Management Week: How to get full value from the fertiliser allowances for your farm
For today’s episode as part of Nutrient Management Week, Grass10’s John Maher is joined by Mike Ahern who is farming near Ballyduff, Co. Waterford. Mike was the winner of the Nutrient Management category as well as the overall winner of that Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition in 2024 and he talks to John about the importance of driving growth with early fertiliser application on hi
Nutrient Management Week: The timing of applications to maximise return
Continuing the daily episodes as part of Nutrient Management Week, today John Maher talks about timing of applications to maximise their return, the rates to apply to find the balance between driving growth and mitigating potential environmental losses and how getting soil fertility right improves the return from applied nutrients thus being an important factor in minimising potential nut
Nutrient Management Week: How Michael Carroll manages his slurry to drive grass growth
As part of Nutrient Management Week, Grass10’s, John Maher, speaks to Michael Carroll from Co. Limerick. Michael was one of the joint winners of the Nutrient Management category at the 2023 Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year awards. He won this award for his understanding of managing slurry on his farm to drive grass growth and reduce his chemical N inputs and today he shares his w
Nutrient Management Week: Effective use of nutrients and minimising losses with Philip Murphy & Pat Tuohy
Philip Murphy, Co-ordinator of the Blackwater Catchment Programme, and Pat Tuohy, Senior Researcher at Teagasc, join Stuart Childs to discuss effective use of nutrients and avoiding losses. Pat discusses recent research across 100 farms that he has completed on behalf of the Dept. of Agriculture that is showing slurry production rates are about 20% higher than the current regulatory assum
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For the first Grass10 grazing management update of the year, John Maher highlights key practices to get grazing in 2026 off to a good start and he discusses the upcoming Nutrient Management Week which runs from Mon 19th-Fri 23rd January. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:http://bit.ly/13thJanuary2026 For more episodes from the Dairy Edge pod
Calf Rearing: Getting the Fundamentals Right
Michelle McGrath, Calf Care Programme Manager with Animal Health Ireland, joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the importance of good calf care and management as we move towards the busy calving period on farms. Michelle highlights best practice regarding colostrum management, calf rearing and weaning whilst also outlining what farmers can learn from the current Teagasc
Repost: Laurence Shalloo on the challenges facing the dairy industry
We’re reposting one of the most popular episodes from last year with Laurence Shalloo, Head of the Animal and Grassland Programme in Teagasc Moorepark, who joined Stuart Childs to discuss the future challenges facing the dairy industry. Laurence starts by acknowledging that there is a constant state of flux in the world now and that we are constantly adapting to change. This is no differe
Building a High-Performance Dairy Team: Lessons from South Dakota
Fermanagh man, Rodney Elliott, who is farming in the US state of South Dakota, joins James Dunne for the second part of his interview discussing recruiting and managing staff, herd breeding objectives, animal performance and herd nutrition. He also offers insights into what he has learned along the way and why he is as passionate about dairy farming today as he was 20 years ago. Image: ht
Dairying in Dakota - the Rodney Elliott Story
Fermanagh man Rodney Elliott, who is farming in the US state of South Dakota, joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge. In the first of a two part interview, Rodney outlines how he went from farming 140 dairy cows in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh to operating two large scale dairy units in the US. He describes how the business has grown over time, some of the challenges met along the
Bluetongue Risk: Protecting Dairy Stock This Winter
For this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge, in conjunction with Catherine Egan of the Beef Edge and Ciaran Lynch of OviCast, we talk to John Donlon, veterinary lecturer in Atlantic Technological University about bluetongue. John first describes the disease and explains how it presents in sheep, cattle, alpacas and other cloven hooved animals. He then explains how, in reality, the risk peri
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s final Grass10 grazing management update of the year, John Maher discusses current grazing advice, including opening cover targets and fodder assessment, plus he looks back on the grazing year in review. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-9thDecember2025 For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go
Repost: Managing Cash, Costs and Volatility - Preparing for 2026
We’re reposting an episode from October with Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Patrick Gowing, who joined James Dunne on the Dairy Edge to discuss how to best manage surplus cash, build financial resilience, review production costs, and ensure farmers are best prepared for 2026. As 2025 draws to a close, it will be remembered as one of the best farming years in recent memory due to strong milk pr
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses current grazing advice. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-2ndDec2025 For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMe
Key actions for 2026 from the National Dairy Conference
Teagasc hosted the National Dairy Conference last week in both Clonmel and Cavan, and the theme of the conference was, ‘Pathways to Progress’, with key sessions on milk price and key farm performance priorities, collaborative farming arrangements and driving further progress in Irish dairy breeding. James Dunne caught up with Joe Patton, Martina Gormley and Stuart Childs to gain an insig
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses current grazing advice. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-25thNov25 For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMed
Edmund Motherway, Student Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year
Edmund Motherway, from Ladysbridge, near Midleton, was the Overall Winner of the Student Section of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards and he joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge. Edmund was always interested in farming as a child, however, due to the scale of the home farm, he didn’t think he had a future in farming. A transition year placement at a nearby fathe
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses current grazing advice, while the featured farmer is Mike Ahern from Ballyduff, Co. Waterford. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-18thNov25 For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the
Dairy Conference Preview with Joe Patton
Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, joins Stuart Childs on the latest Dairy Edge to preview the upcoming Dairy Conferences. With sudden drops in milk price catching many farmers off guard and even many of those who work in the area of forecasting prices, Joe explains, however, that the best-performing farms remain the best ones regardless of price cycles. Farmers shou
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses current grazing advice and setting up for the spring, while the featured farmer is Gerry Finneran, Carrignavar, Co. Cork. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-11thNov25 For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy
Water Quality in River Catchments with Philip Murphy
Philip Murphy, Catchment Coordinator for the River Blackwater, joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss applying water quality and addressing it. Philip explains that his role focuses on addressing agricultural pressures on water quality across the wider Blackwater catchment, beyond the already targeted high-priority areas, through providing clear, consistent advice to far
Your Weekly Grass10 Update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses current grazing advice, while the featured farmer is Will Griffin, Co. Carlow. Read more from this week’s Grass10 newsletter at:https://bit.ly/Grass10-4thNovember25 For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-
