How to achieve target performance through simple, proven technologies

Dairy farmer Dara Killeen and specialist Patrick Gowing joined Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the targets set out in the Teagasc Dairy Roadmap and consider the targets achievable at farm level. Recorded as part of the 2020 Teag

An episode of the The Dairy Edge podcast, hosted by Teagasc, titled "How to achieve target performance through simple, proven technologies" was published on December 7, 2020 and runs 35 minutes.

December 7, 2020 ·35m · The Dairy Edge

0:00 / 0:00

Summary

Dairy farmer Dara Killeen and specialist Patrick Gowing joined Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the targets set out in the Teagasc Dairy Roadmap and consider the targets achievable at farm level. Recorded as part of the 2020 Teagasc Virtual Dairy Conference, Dara, who is a new entrant to dairy farming since spring 2019, explained his priority investments were in high genetic merit crossbred stock, reseeding, grazing infrastructure and milking facilities. Dara viewed a lot of stock before settling on the heifers he purchased for his first year in milk and it was a rewarding decision evident from his young herd (40% heifers, 60% lactation 2) with a 90% 6 week calving rate and producing the industry average ~420 kg MS from 650 kg concentrate and 280-290 days at grass, with an estimated mature MS production of 500 kg. Patrick suggests that this performance isn’t surprising because Dara demonstrated huge attention to detail throughout the planning of his conversion to dairy and invested his time and money in the correct areas. Dara is in a phase of growing the age of the herd whilst also ensuring that the farm remains socially sustainable through establishing a good routine and employing part-time staff as well as environmentally sustainable through engaging with technologies such as EBI, protected Urea, LESS and maintaining the biodiversity that exists on farm. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Episode Description

Dairy farmer Dara Killeen and specialist Patrick Gowing joined Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the targets set out in the Teagasc Dairy Roadmap and consider the targets achievable at farm level. Recorded as part of the 2020 Teagasc Virtual Dairy Conference, Dara, who is a new entrant to dairy farming since spring 2019, explained his priority investments were in high genetic merit crossbred stock, reseeding, grazing infrastructure and milking facilities. Dara viewed a lot of stock before settling on the heifers he purchased for his first year in milk and it was a rewarding decision evident from his young herd (40% heifers, 60% lactation 2) with a 90% 6 week calving rate and producing the industry average ~420 kg MS from 650 kg concentrate and 280-290 days at grass, with an estimated mature MS production of 500 kg. Patrick suggests that this performance isn’t surprising because Dara demonstrated huge attention to detail throughout the planning of his conversion to dairy and invested his time and money in the correct areas. Dara is in a phase of growing the age of the herd whilst also ensuring that the farm remains socially sustainable through establishing a good routine and employing part-time staff as well as environmentally sustainable through engaging with technologies such as EBI, protected Urea, LESS and maintaining the biodiversity that exists on farm. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Daily EDGE - Today is all you got

Apr 13, 2026 ·3m

Daily EDGE - Don’t let the Warrior run the show

Apr 10, 2026 ·3m

Apr 9, 2026 ·28m

The Ship Report, Thursday, April 9, 2026

Apr 9, 2026 ·9m

Daily EDGE - There’s always another level of pressure

Apr 9, 2026 ·3m

Daily EDGE - How to build certainty

Apr 8, 2026 ·2m

Similar Podcasts

The Daily EDGE Raul Villacis The Daily EDGE with Raul Villacis delivers raw, unfiltered insights to help high-performing men regain their purpose, sharpen their mindset, and lead with certainty. Each episode gives you tools, frameworks, and a daily dose of truth to grow as a leader in business, family, and life. Beyond Net Zero Journey Chloe Thomas This is the behind-the-scenes audio diary of our journey to take our business to better than net zero carbon emissions. Who are we?The business is eCommerce MasterPlan - we run podcasts (eCommerce MasterPlan and Keep Optimising) and virtual summits.The host is Chloe Thomas, founder of eCommerce MasterPlan and eCommerce Marketing specialist.This show is a little rougher around the edges than our main shows! We will be sharing how we make eCommerce MasterPlan a NetZero business, and then take it beyond net zero.The aim is to two-fold:- to inspire others to do the same- to make it easier for others to get startedEpisodes will (probably!) include:- status updates- book & other learning things reviews- rundowns of specific areas where we've done the research and made the changes (eg electric cars, software suppliers, finance etc etc)Find out more at https://beyondnetzerojourney.com The Ship Report The Ship Report Ship Report podcasts take you to a special corner of the world, the mighty Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. Nautical lore, news and info, mariner interviews, daily international ship traffic, and the inside scoop on the upper left edge of Oregon and beyond. The Ship Report is proud to celebrate 20+ years on the air! More at shipreport.net Olive Greens...Diary Of An Army Officer Suraj Abraham Podcast showcases the life and times of me in the Armed Forces.The trials ,tribulations and the challenges one faced which surely would be a great experience for the listeners like never before.Also it's a must for students and those who seek current affairs as we cull out important aspects from the editorials of all national news papers thus giving us a definitive edge in our walks of life.

URL copied to clipboard!