The Dairy Edge

Best Practice when Drying Off - A Practical Guide

The Dairy Edge

Show Notes

As we come towards the end of the lactation, getting the drying-off process right is important to ensure good udder health and set cows up correctly for the next lactation.

This week, James Dunne is joined by Padraig O’Connor from Teagasc to go through best practice when drying off, from planning and preparing cows to carrying out the process and managing cows in the days afterwards.

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

More from The Dairy Edge

Oct 23, 2026

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher highlights the top actions that need to be done, including: Prioritise grazing residuals Update autumn grass budget Prepare for changing weather Read more from the latest Grass10 newsletter at: https://pasturebase.teagasc.ie/Grass10%20Weekly.pdf?=20261023

Oct 22, 2026

Martina Gormley, dairy specialist in Athenry, Co. Galway, joins Stuart Childs to discuss a survey on winter feeding practices that she completed with a number of farmers across the country over the winter period 2025/26.

Oct 16, 2026

Teagasc economist, Trevor Donnellan, joins James Dunne to discuss the latest National Farm Survey results for 2025, focusing on the Irish dairy enterprise.

Oct 16, 2026

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher highlights the top actions that need to be done, including: Prioritise grazing residuals Update autumn grass budget Apply lime while ground conditions are suitable

Oct 9, 2026

For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher highlights the top actions that need to be done, including: Prioritising grazing residuals as we head into the final rotation Farms should begin the final rotation early-mid October Updating autumn grass budget Grass growth will be between 40-50 kg DM/ha/day over the next weeks As closing begins on farm set the farm up to graze 60% by early November

See all episodes →