Hugh Harney

Kildare

Technical Dairy Specialist and Writer at AgriLand

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Articles

Managing grass quality to pump over 2kg/MS/cow/day in Tipperary

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Hugh Harney

The importance of keeping on top of grass with changing weather cannot be overstated, according to dairy farmer, Mark Lonergan from Rosegreen, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. Lonergan shared how he manages grass quality to drive performance during a Teagasc/Dairygold farm walk today (Thursday, May 29). He discussed all aspects of herd performance, breeding progress and grassland management, but stressed the importance of keeping on top of grass in changing weather patterns.
Cut-off point for dairy AI serves and number of bulls needed

1 week ago | agriland.co.uk | Hugh Harney

Coming to the end of May, many farmers may be tempted to finish up dairy artificial insemination (AI) and let out the stock bulls, or to start using beef AI. Farmers need to question whether they have enough cows and heifers served so that they do not leave themselves tight on replacement heifers coming through. As we know, there is going to be a shortage of dairy replacement heifers coming through due to a severe reduction in dairy heifer calves born this year.
Cut-off point for dairy AI serves and number of bulls needed

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Hugh Harney

Coming to the end of May, many farmers may be tempted to finish up dairy artificial insemination (AI) and let out the stock bulls, or to start using beef AI. Farmers need to question whether they have enough cows and heifers served so that they do not leave themselves tight on replacement heifers coming through. As we know, there is going to be a shortage of dairy replacement heifers coming through due to a severe reduction in dairy heifer calves born this year.
Maintaining mid-season protein and solids through grass quality

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Hugh Harney

Grass quality and nutrition of the cow during the mid-season can be the main concern for farmers, as trying to hold peak milk production for as long as possible is crucial for the total solids produced/cow at the end of the season. It is fair to say that we have had an exceptional spring, which has allowed grass to be in the herd’s diet from early on this year. Growth rates struggled early on but eventually surged around the middle of April.
Fly control to prevent summer mastitis in mild and damp weather

1 week ago | agriland.co.uk | Hugh Harney

As the weather is particularly mild and has turned damp in the last number of days, fly control to prevent summer mastitis needs to be prioritised. Summer mastitis is an acute disease of the non-lactating mammary gland and is mainly caused by the bacterium Trueperella pyogenes. Flies thrive in these conditions, especially in the aftermath of heavy rain when temperatures are warm and can support fly populations, as the insects can multiply in those conditions.
Fly control to prevent summer mastitis in mild and damp weather

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Hugh Harney

As the weather is particularly mild and has turned damp in the last number of days, fly control to prevent summer mastitis needs to be prioritised. Summer mastitis is an acute disease of the non-lactating mammary gland and is mainly caused by the bacterium Trueperella pyogenes. Flies thrive in these conditions, especially in the aftermath of heavy rain when temperatures are warm and can support fly populations, as the insects can multiply in those conditions.
Dairy advice: When should your milk liners be changed?

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Hugh Harney

A job that often gets put on the long finger but which can severely impact cow health and milk quality is the changing of milk liners. There is a lot happening on dairy farms at the minute, as we are into the middle of the breeding season as well as trying to secure a first cut of silage.
Fertilising second-cut silage as first cuts near an end

1 week ago | agriland.co.uk | Hugh Harney

We are heading towards the end of May and, thankfully, we are looking at fertilising second-cut silage relatively early as many first cuts have already been harvested due to the good weather. Many farmers across the country have secured their first-cut silage about a week to 10 days earlier to what they are accustomed to. This was due to brilliant growth rates in the last three weeks, followed by a dry, sunny period which played into the hands for many to secure their first cut.
Fertilising second-cut silage as first cuts near an end

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Hugh Harney

We are heading towards the end of May and, thankfully, we are looking at fertilising second-cut silage relatively early as many first cuts have already been harvested due to the good weather. Many farmers across the country have secured their first-cut silage about a week to 10 days earlier to what they are accustomed to. This was due to brilliant growth rates in the last three weeks, followed by a dry, sunny period which played into the hands for many to secure their first cut.
How many replacement heifers do you need to breed on your farm?

2 weeks ago | agriland.ie | Hugh Harney

In light of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s (ICBF’s) statistics on the shortage of dairy replacement heifers being born on dairy farms, are farmers breeding enough heifers to suffice their replacement rate? ICBF statistics for the first four months of 2025 show that there were about 45,000 fewer dairy replacement calves born when compared with the same period in 2024, and 60,000 fewer than 2023.