Fleckvieh cows and once-a-day milking in Co. Clare

In the latest episode of Agriland's limited podcast series "The Dairy Trail", technical dairy specialist, Cathal O'Shea visited the farm of Paul and Judith Davoren in the Burren in Co. Clare.

The Davoren family are milking a herd of Fleckvieh-cross cows on a once-a-day milking system.

The farm is based in a unique area of the Burren, bringing its own challenges when it comes to grassland management, conservation and farming alongside an important part of Ireland’s natural landscape.

Paul and Judith talk us through their decision to move away from British Friesian cows, the benefits of Fleckvieh breeding, the move to once-a-day milking, the difficulties of a tough grazing season, and supplying milk for locally made Burren cheese.

What is The Dairy Trail?

Agriland's brand new limited podcast series 'The Dairy Trail' takes listeners inside the yard of dairy farms across the country to hear what is happening on the ground.

The new four-part series will cover everything from calving down cows, managing calves, herd nutrient requirements, getting cows out to grazing, and spreading slurry and fertiliser.

Listeners will get to hear how other farm systems operate, how different genetics perform, how different land types grow grass and how each farmer puts milk in the tank and money in their pocket in their own unique way.