Fermanagh man, Rodney Elliott, who is farming in the US state of South Dakota, joins James Dunne for the second part of his interview discussing recruiting and managing staff, herd breeding objectives, animal performance and herd nutrition.

He also offers insights into what he has learned along the way and why he is as passionate about dairy farming today as he was 20 years ago.

Image: https://www.midwestdairy.com

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

Fermanagh man Rodney Elliott, who is farming in the US state of South Dakota, joins James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge.

In the first of a two part interview, Rodney outlines how he went from farming 140 dairy cows in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh to operating two large scale dairy units in the US.

He describes how the business has grown over time, some of the challenges met along the way and how he overcame them.

Rodney discusses what farming KPIs matter in the running of the business and how he manages costs and market volatility.

Image: https://www.midwestdairy.com

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

For this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge, in conjunction with Catherine Egan of the Beef Edge and Ciaran Lynch of OviCast, we talk to John Donlon, veterinary lecturer in Atlantic Technological University about bluetongue.

John first describes the disease and explains how it presents in sheep, cattle, alpacas and other cloven hooved animals.

He then explains how, in reality, the risk period should have passed at this stage of the year as midges that act as the vector for the disease should be gone by now.

The cold weather is a help in that midge activity will be reduced or eliminated but that doesn’t mean the risk isn’t still there. People must remain vigilant and notify their vet and relevant authorities in the event of suspecting an animal has bluetongue.

Trading implications could exist were a case to be identified in the Republic which would have ramifications for livestock movements, but currently there are no restrictions as the country is still bluetongue free.

If a case were to be discovered, vaccines are available to reduce the severity of the disease but one would have to get an emergency license from the Department of Agriculture.

Careful monitoring of stock for any signs are advised and swift notification, if identified, to facilitate rapid control is advised.

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