{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Dairy Edge","title":"How to minimise workload and reduce stress during the busy spring period","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/3fa5c882\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1138,"description":"Waterford farmer, Steven Fitzgerald, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the how he manages labour to minimise workload and reduce stress during the busy spring period.\r\n\r\nSteven explains that preparation ahead of the calving season and making a clear plan for who is responsible for each role at calving makes things easier and reduces duplication.\r\nCompact calving (90% calved in 6 weeks), OAD milking in February and getting cows out to grass from early February are key drivers of efficiency in spring.\r\n\r\nSteven prioritises feeding colostrum to calves as quickly as possible, as he believes it prevents sickness and ill thrift if calves don’t receive sufficient colostrum.\r\n\r\nStart and finish times are also important and Steven aims to finish each evening at 6 pm, regardless of the time of year.\r\n\r\nFor more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast visit the show page at:\r\nhttps://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/FizPp2YqaNPbmx7kOdSSeqe3lGqQ33mTmLaxiS1YEus/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzEwMTc5LzE1ODgz/Mjc3MzMtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}