How This Offaly Farmer Fits Herefords Into His Dairy-Beef System
The Rigney family in Offaly has shifted from a pure suckler beef operation to a mixed dairy‑beef system, installing two Lely robotic milkers for a 120‑cow herd split between Fleckvieh and Holstein‑Friesian genetics. They now raise 60 Hereford‑cross calves each spring, planning to expand the herd with a second bull. The farm leverages early‑finishing Hereford genetics, sustainability bonuses from ABP and breed premiums of roughly $0.22 per kilogram, while on‑site veterinary expertise drives a comprehensive vaccination program. This blend of robotics, beef integration, and cash‑flow timing illustrates a modern, diversified Irish farm model.
Get More Heifers In-Calf, Earlier with Synchronisation and Fixed Time AI
The Hession brothers in County Galway have adopted a synchronized, fixed‑time artificial insemination (AI) program on their 260‑cow, spring‑calving dairy farm. By using a three‑hormone protocol (GnRH, progesterone, prostaglandin) and coordinating with their AI technician, they achieved up to 80%...
New Waterford Food Tours Serve up a Taste of History
TasteWaterford.ie has introduced three immersive food tours that weave Waterford’s Viking, Huguenot and trade history with its modern culinary scene. The three‑hour City Select tour features coffee cupping on historic Coffee House Lane, local restaurant tastings and the iconic blaa....
Why Are More Dairy Farmers Using Sire Advice This Breeding Season?
The ICBF HerdPlus platform now offers Sire Advice, a data‑driven breeding decision tool that matches individual cows with optimal dairy and beef AI bulls. By leveraging herd data, the service maximises the Economic Breeding Index, balances milk and fertility traits,...
Return of Programme to Support Food and Drink Producers
Taste 4 Success Skillnet is relaunching BrandBite, a brand acceleration programme for Irish food and drink producers, slated for 2026. The six‑module online course, enhanced with new tools and expert speakers, aims to help start‑ups and scaling businesses strengthen brand...
Weed Control and Nitrogen Boost Will Optimise Silage Yield and Quality
Syngenta’s Casper herbicide and Vixeran nitrogen‑optimising endophyte are being promoted to improve silage production. Casper provides targeted control of weeds such as docks and thistles, delivering cleaner swards and better fermentation. Vixeran converts atmospheric nitrogen into plant‑available form, increasing dry‑matter...
Raising the Bar: Celebrating the Best of West Cork’s Dairy Farming
Carbery’s Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards highlighted West Cork’s family‑run dairy farms for producing premium, low‑carbon milk while protecting land and animal welfare. The Buttimer family of Lisavaird Co‑op won the overall prize, exemplifying a balance of productivity, sustainability and...