Dairy
A number of cows are beginning to reach their peak milk production and milk protein is usually at its lowest at this stage of the lactation.
Dairy Technical
Milk supplies in a number of co-ops are down by as much as 10%, with this drop in milk volume largely due to challenging weather conditions.
The persistent poor weather conditions have resulted in many farmers feeding silage for longer than usual on farms.
A combination of the grass plant's annual reproductive phase, strong growth in some quarters and farmers opting to graze heavy covers has seen milk protein percentages dip on many farms.
What I’ve gleaned is that milk into the co-op was +8% last week and that we are not seeing any impact on solids or milk quality.
Cow empty rates could be up at almost 10% on farms this year, according to Teagasc Dairy Specialist George Ramsbottom.
Grass
Grazing conditions have improved on many farms around the country, but some farms in the west are only starting to get cows out to grass.
