Show Notes
In the latest episode of Agriland's limited podcast series "The Dairy Trail", technical dairy specialist, Cathal O'Shea visited the farm of Dan and Danny Somers in Co, Wicklow.
The father and son partnership are milking 230 Montbéliarde's in a split calving system, with 40-50 cows calving down in autumn. Dan talks on how they got into Montbéliarde's and how the herd is working out for them on their farm.
He tells us about the diet they feed over the winter months to achieve their target of 7000 litres at 557kg/MS. Dan also talks about the current tasks at hand on farm, between drying-off and calving down.
We hear about balancing issues with banding, and dive into calf care, breeding, grass management, lameness, and the farms infrastructure. Brought to you by Nedap Livestock Management.
More from The Dairy Trail
Katie Gleeson, a dairy farmer from Templemore, County Tipperary, shares her journey into dairy farming at the National Ploughing Championships 2026. She discusses her transition from hairdressing to farming, the operations on her farm, and the challenges faced during a drought year. Katie also highlights her involvement in Dairy Women Ireland and her efforts in agri-communications through social media. Brought to you by Nedap Livestock Management .
In the latest episode of Agriland's limited podcast series "The Dairy Trail", technical dairy specialist, Cathal O'Shea visited the farm of Paul and Judith Davoren in the Burren in Co. Clare. The Davoren family are milking a herd of Fleckvieh-cross cows on a once-a-day milking system. The farm is based in a unique area of the Burren, bringing its own challenges when it comes to grassland management, conservation and farming alongside an important part of Ireland’s natural landscape. Paul and Judith talk us through their decision to move away from British Friesian cows, the benefits of Fleckvieh breeding, the move to once-a-day milking, the difficulties of a tough grazing season, and supplying milk for locally made Burren cheese.
In the latest episode of Agriland's limited podcast series "the Dairy Trail", technical dairy specialist, Cathal O'Shea visited the farm of Kieran Lynch in Macroom Co. Cork.
In the latest episode of Agriland's limited podcast series "the Dairy Trail", technical dairy specialist, Cathal O'Shea visited the farm of Michael Guinan in Co. Offaly.
In the latest episode of Agriland's podcast series "the Dairy Trail", technical dairy specialist, Cathal O'Shea visited the farm of Edel and Domnic Curtin in Co. Clare.