March, 2020 | ReproDoc Ltd.

Social isolation in rural Ireland caused in association with Covid-19.

On farm calls in counties, Leitrim, Longford and Monaghan today reveal the problems associated with social isolation. Social media and media in general have created a tremendous fear among the rural fabric of Ireland, whereby people have been scared in their senior years to move outdoors. Unfortunately, this social isolation will be for a protracted […]

COVID-19 will place a value on food security in the future from our beef and dairy farms.

The current outbreak panning into a pandemic globally associated with COVID-19 has shown the implications of failure to place monetary value on excellence in supply chain in food production in Ireland. In the UK it has been shown that food security has resulted in a situation where by supply chain has a three day window […]

Six-week extension in the winter housing period causing significant herd health problems in County Kerry.

Farm visits today in County Kerry revealed farmers severely stressed with the inability to cope with the optimization of herd health during this critical phase of the production cycle. Farmers are currently into week 8-10 of the calving season. In the normal year the calves would be out grazing by day and slurry fication would […]

Early post calving womb infections will decrease both milk production and the chances of getting your cows back in calf.

• Your dairy herd now entering the second phase of the calving season. These cows will form the late calving batch and it is essential that any reproductive problems are identified early post calving. • Womb infections or metritis as it is classically described, will decrease milk production potential by an average of 400 liters […]

Priestland Holstein herd presenting a cow with projected 305-day yield of 20,000 on twice a day milking for expo show in 12 days’ time.

Ona farm visit to Ian McClean and Sons and a Priestland herd outside Bushmills County Antrim, this pre scan herd is an exhibition of excellence of pedigree Holstein breeding management. Every cow has her own comfort zone with excellent livestock management at all stages of the production cycle. The McClean brothers have a passionate interest […]

Milk recording will become a mandatory process for purposes of milk sales in conjunction with antibiotic usage for dry cow therapy

On farm calls in Derry today, farmers are faced with a situation where milk recording was not an issue in the past but will be in the future if dry cow therapy regulations are implemented. Farmers will only be able to selectively use dry cow therapy in conjunction with a veterinary surgeon and milk recording […]

Rearing calves using cow’s milk with inbuilt pasteurization to protect against risk of Johne’s disease.

On a farm visit with Ian and Brian Thompson in Coolmore, Derry. This dairy farm has invested in a milk feeding system using whole milk from dairy cows including milk which can not be sent off farm for milk processing to be fed to calves. This unit costs £8,000 pounds sterling, Brian and Ian consider […]