Show Notes
In the second episode of Agriland's latest limited podcast series 'The Dairy Trail', technical dairy journalist, Hugh Harney takes a trip to Larry Hannon's dairy farm in Ballitore, Co. Kildare.
Larry Hannon has 235 cows to calve down this spring and has over 70% of the herd calved. The aim is to have 220 cows milking strong at the peak of the lactation. The focus on the farm is to get the cows out to grass for a few hours every day and to maximise the cow's dry matter intake in the early lactation. In the episode, Larry explains how he has been managing his calving season from colostrum feeding to the dietary requirements of the cow. Larry goes through how he went from having about 20% of his herd calving down in the autumn and filling his winter milk contract, to going to a fully spring-calving herd.
The brand new limited podcast series ‘The Dairy Trail’ takes listeners inside the yard of dairy farms across the country to hear what is happening on the ground. The new four-part series will cover everything from calving down cows, managing calves, herd nutrient requirements, getting cows out to grazing, and spreading slurry and fertiliser. Brought to you by Nedap Livestock Management.
More from The Dairy Trail
On the first episode of a brand new season of The Dairy Trail podcast, we meet Jenny Flaherty of Glenview Farm, Moyvane, Co. Kerry. We chat about the opportunities and challenges of farm diversification and hear how Jenny and her family's farm take control of their milk all the way from production to sale. Brought to you in association with Nedap Livestock Management.
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.