Articles
15 April 2021

Teagasc Crop Agronomy Webinar - April 2021
The third in a series of Teagasc Crop Agronomy Update Webinars took place on Tuesday, 6th April. This webinar covered the major agronomy decisions needed over the coming weeks in winter and spring crops. A Question & Answer session was also covered throughout.
14 April 2021

Winners of the 2021 Agriculture and Horticulture Colleges Challenges Event
The National College of Amenity Horticulture are the winners of the Agricultural Colleges Challenges Event 2021. The Agricultural Colleges Challenges is a longstanding inter college, skills challenge competition, supported by Macra na Feirme, fostering keen college rivalry in it's 40 year history
14 April 2021

Grass10 Newsletter - 13th April 2021
Get the latest news & updates from the Grass10 team in this week's newsletter including: Weekly PastureBase data; Seamus Sweeney, Wexford on 2nd rotation; Caroline Walsh 2020 GFOTY social media takeover; Grazing Updates from Thomas Hogan, GFOTY Cattle-Suckling, & Grange dairy-beef research herd
14 April 2021

Preparing for Breeding
As the calving season is coming to an end and the breeding season is about to start, it is timely that we should be looking at ways to maximise fertility on farms. Teagasc Beef Specialists outline the four key areas for most suckler farmers to consider here, and finish up with a Herd health reminder
14 April 2021

Grassland Management Tips for the Coming Weeks
Teagasc Grass 10 Manager John Maher is on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast with top tips in relation to grassland management.
14 April 2021

Farm Business Options Webinar - Diversification in Donegal
On a recent Farm Business Options webinar held on Tuesday, 6th April 2021, Seamus Campbell, Teagasc Donegal was joined by Noreen & James Cunningham, Donegal Farmhouse Cheese; John Graham, Ballyholey Farm Shop and Andrew Ward, Inishowen Development Partnership to discuss diversification in Donegal
13 April 2021

How to avoid meal feeding ewes after lambing
Edward Egan, Meath Teagasc advisor, sums up the points made by 2020 Sheep Grassland Farmer of the Year Peter McGuinness, as he outlines some of the key steps he takes during the course of the year to ensure he has enough grass in March & April to avoid meal feeding mature ewes after lambing.
13 April 2021

Let's Talk Sheep Webinar - Nematodirus / Coccidiosis in Lambs
Host Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist was joined by Dr. Orla Keane, Teagasc Researcher and Michael Gottstein, Head of Teagasc Sheep KT on this episode of the Let's Talk Sheep webinar series which took place on Thursday, 8th April to discuss nematodirus and coccidiosis in lambs.
13 April 2021

Coccidiosis and nematodirosis in young lambs
At this time of year, the major parasites of concern for young lambs are Nematodirus and Coccidia. Coccidiosis is a disease of young lambs, usually from 3-8 weeks of age.The signs of nematodirosis are similar to coccidiosis. Orla Keane, Teagasc Researcher explains both parasites & their effects.
13 April 2021

Protecting the Connemara/Mayo Blackface Breed for Future generations
Father & son partnership MartinJoe & Martin Kerrigan are hill farmers in Glentrague, Clonbur Co. Galway - a valley situated in ‘Joyce Country’ overlooking the scenic Lough Mask. Martin is involved in developing the Connemara/Mayo Blackface sheep, as Joanne Masterson, Teagasc Advisor, outlines here
13 April 2021

Nematodirus – signs, treatment & differential diagnosis
Dr Orla Keane joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s episode of OviCast to discuss Nematodirus in lambs.
12 April 2021

Teagasc Seed Potato Webinar
Teagasc is hosting a Seed Potato Webinar on Thursday 15th April 2021 at 6.30pm. This webinar will outline the challenges of imports and the best practices to growing more seed potatoes in Ireland. Read more for Information and Registration details
12 April 2021

Integrated Pest Management Webinar - traps and pheromones for thrips and pest control
On a recent Integrated Pest Management Webinar, which took place on Tuesday, 30th March, Donall Flanagan and Eamonn Kehoe, Teagasc Horticulture Development Department were joined by Dr Clare Sampson, Technical Director with Russel IPM to focus on traps and pheromones for thrips and pest control.
12 April 2021

Flattening the curve will lead to €130 million loss at farm level annually
Laurence Shalloo joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to give his insights into a report investigating the merits of the seasonal milk supply curve that exists in Ireland.
12 April 2021

Teagasc Virtual College Open Days 2021
During March, Teagasc courses were promoted through virtual open days at it's four agricultural and horticultural colleges and two of the private colleges. One open day remains to be held at Salesian Agricultural College on 15th April. Now is your chance to catch up with any you may have missed here
12 April 2021

Upgrading an Old Milking Parlour
Francis Quigley, Teagasc milking machine specialist, outlines what farmers should consider when upgrading a milking parlour in respect of location, collecting yard design, handling facilities, good cow flow & water systems.
11 April 2021

What is a GPS Fertiliser Spreader?
With the grant on GPS fertiliser spreaders now available to all TAMS applicants there is a lot of interest from farmers in making an investment in the new equipment. Francis Quigley, Teagasc Farm Machinery Specialist explains that a GPS controlled spreader is more than just a guidance system
11 April 2021

Target to make 75% DMD Silage this summer
Shane Devaney, Beef Advisor, Teagasc Longford, sets a target for all farmers to make 75% DMD Silage this summer. He has advice for those farming on heavy soils and he lists the benefits of making good quality silage here.
11 April 2021

Extreme Weather Newsletter
Variation in grass growth and feed supply due to weather conditions is inevitable in our ruminant farming systems. It is important that farms plan ahead for the adverse weather events. Teagasc has identified steps to be taken at farm and industry level in this regard.
10 April 2021

Spring Malting Barley Series - Nitrogen Rates and Timings
The first video in our spring malting barley series focuses on nitrogen rates and timing. Eoin Lyons, Teagasc/ Boortmalt Joint Programme Advisor discusses nitrogen rate and timing of application for this year's spring malting barley crops in order to optimise grain protein at harvest time.
10 April 2021

Research Insights Webinar - Increasing the value of beef from the dairy herd
On a recent Teagasc Research Insights webinar held Wednesday, 31 March, Donagh Berry, Teagasc Researcher & Director of VistaMilk SFI Research Centre was joined by Alan Twomey, Nicky Byrne & Padraig French to discuss breeding & management strategies to maximise the value of beef from the dairy herd
10 April 2021

Environment Newsletter - April 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Environment team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Dates for your diary; Mandatory derogation requirements from January 1, 2021; and Message from ASSAP: Is your silage storage fit for purpose?.
09 April 2021

Climate mitigation options through Afforestation – The Forest Carbon Tool
The establishment of new forests has a highly significant role to play in addressing our climate challenges and ensuring we can build a significant future carbon sink by mid-century. Teagasc Forestry Specialist Tom Houlihan discusses this and the development and use of the Forest Carbon Tool
09 April 2021

Clonakilty Agricultural College March Dairy Update
James Daunt, Dairy teacher at Clonakilty Agricultural College provides a March update on Dairying at the College. He talks about dealing with difficult grazing in March, coming to the end of the first grazing rotation, and has details of protected urea & slurry spread and more in a short video here
09 April 2021

Getting Cattle out to grass
While some farmers like those shown here managed to achieve a late February or early March turnout, many do not. This year due to the poor weather and challenging grazing conditions many farmer have still to turn out young stock. Here are some tips from Longford Teagasc Advisor, Donal McCabe
09 April 2021

The Signpost Series Webinar - Working with farmers to improve water quality
In this episode of The Signpost Series webinar, held as part of Water Quality Week, on Friday, 26 March, Mark Gibson, Teagasc ConnectEd is joined by Noel Meehan, ASSAP Programme Manager and Edward Burgess, ACP Specialist Advisor, Teagasc to discuss working with farmers to improve water quality
09 April 2021

Forestry Newsletter - April 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Forestry team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Virtual Forest Walks 2021; Frost damage awareness in new forests; Good for you and your forest; Forestry courses in Ballyhaise; and BPS and forestry 2021
08 April 2021

Tillage Update 8th April 2021
Ciaran Collins, Teagasc Crops Specialist brings us this week's Tillage update on spring planting across the country for various crops. Ciaran also has fertiliser, pest and disease advice and tips for the winter cereals; Winter Barley and Winter Oilseed rape here
08 April 2021

Let's Talk Sheep - Nematodirus / Coccidia in Lambs
Join us tonight at 8pm for an hour-long Let's Talk Sheep webinar to learn more about nematodirus and coccidiosis in lambs. This is very timely as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have just issued their Nematodirus forecast indicating peak larval hatching this week. Register here
08 April 2021

April Crop Agronomy Webinar Q&A
Teagasc held the first in a series of Crop Agronomy Webinars this week looking at crops through the season. Presented by Ciaran Collins, the webinar Question and Answer sessions are worth a listen, as there is a lot of useful information to help with your agronomy decisions in the weeks ahead
08 April 2021

Farm Business Options Webinar - Driving Diversification Through Social Media
On a recent Farm Business Options webinar which took place on Tuesday, 30th March 2021, Barry Caslin was joined by Lisa Dunphy from Green Acre Marketing to discuss social media business options.
08 April 2021

Tillage Newsletter - April 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Crops team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Winter wheat; Winter barley; Products expiring; Spring crops; Winter oats; and Health & Safety.
07 April 2021

Selecting AI bulls for suckler herds
Levels of AI usage in suckler herds is low nationally with an estimated 20% of cows bred to AI sires year on year. Usage amongst maiden heifers is higher often due to the presence of one stock bull on small suckler herds. Alan Dillon, Teagasc Beef Specialist has advice on selecting AI bulls
07 April 2021

Let’s Talk Dairy Bonus Episode: ASSAP and Farmers Impact on Water Quality
In this Let's Talk Dairy Bonus podcast episode, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, is joined by Noel Meehan and Eimear Connery about the on-farm assessment carried out by ASSAP advisors to assess farmers’ impact on water quality.
07 April 2021

Grass10 Newsletter - 6th April 2021
Get the latest news & updates from the Grass10 team in this week's newsletter including: Weekly PastureBase data; Niall Callanan (dairy) & Aidan Maguire (beef) discuss grazing plans; Grazing tips to hold Average Farm Cover in this colder week; A video explaining “Band Method” grass measuring & more
07 April 2021

The 3 'T's to making Good Quality Silage
Austin Flavin Teagasc Advisor, meets beef farmer, Billy Glasheen who farms in Passage East in Co. Waterford as he plans to follow the 3 'T's which are key to making best Quality Silage. Test the slurry, test the soil and test the silage.
07 April 2021

7th International Infogest Webinar on Food Digestion: Starch
The 7th Special INFOGEST webinar on Food Digestion, hosted by Dr Andre Brodkorb of the Teagasc Food Research Centre took place on Monday 15th March at 2PM. The theme of the webinar was “Starch: An iconoclast view on amylopectin"
07 April 2021

The Beef Edge Masterclass with Martin Shaughnessy
With only 20% of beef farmers using AI, suckler & sheep farmer Martin Shaughnessy from Co. Mayo joins Catherine Egan on this week’s podcast for a Beef Edge Masterclass to discuss his beef system & how he uses AI on his farm.
07 April 2021

Beef Newsletter - April 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Beef team in this month's newsletter. It includes: BEEP-S; Basic Payment Scheme; Dairy beef calf programme; Making good quality silage; Research Update; and Health & Safety.
06 April 2021

Grazing focus - early season management
With the grazing season well underway, on the latest OviCast episode Ciarán Lynch catches up with Dr Philip Creighton who highlights the need to focus on grassland management for the coming weeks to maximise lamb performance.
06 April 2021

It’s getting hot in here
Keith Lambkin, senior climatologist with Met Eireann joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast to discuss global warming.
06 April 2021

The key practices to achieve a 90% three-week submission rate
Stephen Moore joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge to identify the key practices to achieve a 90% three-week submission rate to maximise the 6 week calving rate during the spring of 2022.
06 April 2021

New Lime Factsheet - The Facts on Applying Lime
Lime is most definitely the forgotten fertiliser on Irish farms. We are currently only applying 50% of our national lime requirements. In addition 80 to 85% of our soils are testing sub-optimal for major nutrients such as soil pH, P & K. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Johnstown Castle has more information.
06 April 2021

Sheep Newsletter - April 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Sheep team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Grassland management; grass tetany; Silage 2021; Lambing review; BETTER Farm and Research Update; Parasites; and Early-lambing flocks.
06 April 2021

Have multi species swards a role on Irish farms?
Multi species swards have the ability to grow 11Ton of dry matter with no chemical nitrogen, but have they a role on Irish farms? Joe Kelleher, Teagasc Advisor, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick addresses this question here and discusses what is known so far about Multi species swards
05 April 2021

Dairy Newsletter - April 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Dairy team in this month's newsletter. This month's newsletter focuses on dairy breeding. It includes: Breeding guidelines for spring 2021; Research Update - Heat detection; Cow selection; Breed maiden heifers to dairy AI; and Breeding Week recap.
05 April 2021

Poultry farmer from Monaghan finalist in Newbie New Entrant competition
Patrick Greenan a new entrant poultry farmer from Co Monaghan was a finalist in a recent Newbie New Entrant competition. Three years ago having considered many options for the family farm Patrick decided to enter the Poultry industry and invested in new housing facilities on a Greenfield site.
05 April 2021

Feeding for fertility in the lead up to breeding season
Nutrition plays a vital role in achieving good herd fertility. Quality of feeding in the dry period and early lactation can affect outcomes. Teagasc specialist Joe Patton gives advice on getting nutrition right before breeding.
04 April 2021

Quins and Quads at Teagasc farms
It won't be "Lonely round the Fields of Athenry" this Spring as Teagasc Athenry celebrates the arrival of five lambs to a pedigree Belclare ewe there. Meanwhile at Clonakilty College Farm, an UnBaa-lievable set of Quad lambs were born. Read about the two marvelous mothers and their progeny here
04 April 2021

Chocolate Manufacturing
Chocolate has a long and rich heritage and is enjoyed all year round not just at Easter. As one of the treats associated with this time of the year it is a good time to find out more about manufacturing chocolate and what support Teagasc can offer if you are considering it as an enterprise.
04 April 2021

Beetroot Juice producer a finalist Newbie New Entrant Competition
Anne Marie Feighery from Feighery’s Farm in Kilcormac, Co. Offaly was a finalist in the 2020 NEWBIE New Entrant competition. While sourcing beetroot juice for her father Anne Marie noticed a gap in the market for an Irish produced beetroot juice and set about developing her own Beetroot Juice.
03 April 2021

The Signpost Series - Multi-species mixtures
On a recent episode of the Signpost Series webinar, which took place on Friday, 19th March, Mark Gibson, Teagasc ConnectEd was joined by John Finn, Teagasc to discuss multi-species mixtures increase yields and resilience to drought, with lower nitrogen inputs.
03 April 2021

TResearch Spring 2021
TResearch is an official science publication of Teagasc. It aims to disseminate the results of the organisation’s research to a broad audience. The Spring Edition of TResearch has a special feature on grass roots - 70 years of grassland research; milk fractions for pigs; kelp; BREXIT & farm income.
03 April 2021

Tipperary Poultry Farmer wins Newbie New Entrant Competition
Kylie Magner from Magners Farm in Moyglass, Co Tipperary has been selected as the winner of the second Newbie project new entrant competition. Kylie developed a free range poultry enterprise on the farm, initially selling eggs at local markets.
02 April 2021

The Signpost Series - The impact of pesticides on water quality
In this episode of The Signpost Series which took place on Friday, 12th March, Mark Gibson, Teagasc ConnectEd Programme Manager is joined by John Keogh, Chief Executive of the Animal and Plant Health Association (APHA) to discuss the impact of pesticides on water quality.
02 April 2021

Sheep Production - Farm Walk and Talk with AgriAware
A sustainable sheep enterprise requires planning, skill and hard work. Kildalton College lecturer Joe Day gives information on the college flock, detailing what is required to have a successful mid-season lambing flock
02 April 2021

Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobials are drugs used to treat infections in humans & animals. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when micro-organisms that cause infections adapt & prevent an antimicrobial from working against it. Zerlina Pratt, as part of Farm Walk and Talk with AgriAware has more information
02 April 2021

Virtual Forest Walks 2021
Teagasc are organising a nationwide series of virtual forest walks via Zoom from April 12 to 23 focusing on the management of young forests. Frances McHugh, Forestry Development Officer at Teagasc gives an insight into what will be discussed during these virtual events
01 April 2021

Winter Crops Update - 1 April 2021
Crops around the country have started to grow quite strongly in reaction to the good weather and the nitrogen applications. Michael Hennessy, Head of Teagasc Crops Knowledge Transfer gives us an update on the various winter crops.
01 April 2021

Farm Business Options - Digitalisation to transform agriculture in Ireland
On a recent Farm Business Options webinar which took place on Tuesday, 23rd March 2021, host Barry Caslin was joined by Teagasc colleagues Stuart Green & Áine Regan and Peter Mc Shane from GLAS Energy Technology, to discuss digitalisation to transform agriculture in Ireland.
01 April 2021

Dairy Breeding
Dairy breeding at Kildalton College has a focus on increasing the EBI (Economic Breeding Index) of the college dairy herd. Here for the Farm Walk and Talk with AgriAware dairy lecturer Martin Raftice explains the advantages of improving EBI both for environmental and economic reasons
01 April 2021

Winter barley disease control
Disease control in winter barley needs to be considered carefully. On this week's episode of the Tillage Edge podcast, Dr Stephen Kildea, Oak Park, Teagasc, joined Michael Hennessy with advice and information.
01 April 2021

Crop Production Cycle - Winter Barley
The soil type at Kildalton College is a well drained fertile soil with good water retention in a dry spell. It is ideal for the growing of winter barley. Claire Bambrick, tillage lecturer at the college gives information on the current crop being grown for Farm Walk and Talk with AgriAware
01 April 2021

Grass10 Newsletter - 30 March 2021
Get the latest news & updates from the Grass10 team in this week's newsletter. It includes: Weekly PastureBase data; Michael Lally, Meath discusses his plan for grazing; Spring grazing update from Winter Milk herd at Johnstown Castle; Spring Grazing Update from GFOTY Sheep Winner Peter McGuinness.
31 March 2021

Research Insights Webinar - New Reproductive Technologies to Increase the Sustainability of Milk and Beef Production
On a recent Teagasc Research Insights webinar which took place on Thursday, 18 March, panellists on this webinar discussed the development of new reproductive technologies in relation to heat detection, sexed semen, IVF and male fertility.
31 March 2021

Cross-Fostering & the Use of Nurse Sow Strategies
On the latest episode of the Pig Edge, Ciarán Carroll was joined by Keelin O’Driscoll, Research Officer at the Teagasc Moorepark Pig Research Facility to discuss cross-fostering and the use of nurse sow strategies to rear piglets.
31 March 2021

Beef Production Systems
Join John O'Connor and Jamie Cahill of Kildalton College in this Farm Walk and Talk with AgriAware on beef production systems. Kildalton has two different systems a suckler to beef and dairy calf to beef.
31 March 2021

Important advice if you’re thinking of buying a new stock bull
With breeding season around the corner on many farms, Teagasc drystock advisor David Argue, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast. With over 80% of beef farmers using stock bulls, David discusses some top tips when selecting a new stock bull.
31 March 2021
Equine Nutrition and Digestion
An active horse is a healthy horse. In this Farm Walk and Talk video with AgriAware, Crea English, an equine lecturer in Kildalton College talks to about the equine nutrition and the equine digestive system.
31 March 2021

Top tips in advance of breeding season 2021
As the calving season on many farms nears an end the thought of the breeding season is just around the corner. Calving season 2022 depends on when breeding season 2021 starts. Now is the time, in advance of the breeding season, to plan out calving season 2022, advises Catherine Egan, Beef Specialist
30 March 2021

Grassland Reseeding
Reseeding is when you turn up fresh soil or break the surface of the field and renew the grass. Main reasons for grassland reseeding are weather damage, strain from drought/flooding, excessive machinery operations or livestock damage. Gerard Griffin, Kildalton College gives more information.
30 March 2021

Growing guides in support of International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2021 the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (IYFV). To support and raise awareness of the value of fruits and vegetables, Teagasc horticulture Development Department are incorporating this theme into its 2021 programme of activities.
30 March 2021

Sustainable Grassland Management
Slurry is readily available on most farms and with correct usage it can reduce chemical fertilizer use on the farm. In this farm Walk and Talk with AgriAware video, Patrick Heffernan and Declan Byrne of Kildalton College discuss grassland management.
30 March 2021

Lambing one year old ewes – the farmer experience
Tomás O’Leary who is farming outside Killarney in Co. Kerry joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast. Tomás who is a participant on the BETTER Farm Sheep Programme has always joined his ewe lambs and managed them alongside his mature ewes.
30 March 2021

Silage Quality and Preservation
Farm Walk and Talk with AgriAware. Aidan Nugent and Martin Woods of Kildalton College go through the making of silage. They give details on it's feed value and outline quality tests that can be undertaken
30 March 2021

Management of ewes and lambs post turnout – grouping up to kick-start rotational grazing
The lambing of mid-season flocks is well underway and near completion on many farms. The ultimate goal is turning out ewes and lambs to grass covers that will meet their feed requirements with little or no concentrate supplementation as Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc Athenry outlines
29 March 2021

Improving Soil Fertility
Good productive soils are the foundation for any farming system. A primary objective for farmers is to maintain good soil fertility. Eva Hayes and Brian Clancy of Kildalton College outline the necessity for good soil fertility and give information on how this can be achieved.
29 March 2021

Teagasc Pig Research Farm Update - March 2021
Tomás Ryan, Farm Manager in the Teagasc Pig Research Facility in Moorepark gives us an update on what's been happening in the unit, covering the latest production figures and the ongoing research taking place in the unit.
29 March 2021

Farm Livestock Safety
Whether you work alone or as part of a team on a farm, safety when dealing with livestock is of utmost importance. Here Jamie Cahill from Kildalton College deals with safety around livestock. Part of the AgriAware Farm Walk and Talk series for Agriculture Science students.
29 March 2021

Achieving high conception rates using sexed semen
Stephen Butler, reproductive physiology specialist at Teagasc joins Emma-Louise Coffey to discuss the potential that sexed semen can play to maximise the number of replacements born early in the calving season and increase the economic value of non-replacement dairy stock to be sold off the farm.
29 March 2021

Machinery Farm Safety
Machinery Farm Safety is the first in a series of Farm Walk and Talk videos developed by AgriAware and Teagasc. In this video Stuart Goodwin talks about farm machinery and farm safety
29 March 2021

The cost of a missed heat
George Ramsbottom,Teagasc Dairy Specialist and Laurence Shalloo, Teagasc Research Officer talk about the key reproductive targets in seasonal calving dairy herds. They discuss slippage in calving interval and the cost and consequences of a missed heat here
28 March 2021

Teagasc launch grass weed identification videos
Teagasc have launched a series of videos to aid farmers and industry to identify the most important grass weeds found in tillage crops. The videos are part of a wider project called Enable Conservation Tillage (ECT) project and address the common problem of mis-identification of weeds.
28 March 2021

Let's Talk Dairy - Grass10 Update
In this episode of the Let's Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, is joined by Joseph Dunphy who works with the Grass10 team along with John Maher, John Douglas and Michael O'Leary to discuss current grass issues, common pitfalls and weather factors
28 March 2021

Farmer Safety Health and Wellness Webinar Series: John McNamara
Carbery Group, Cork recently held a Webinar on Farm Safety, Health and Wellness for farmer suppliers in advance of a busy spring. The Event is shown as a series of Webinars for 3 Sundays in March. Last up is John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist on managing farm safety and health on farm
27 March 2021

Farm Business Options Webinar - Farm Diversification in Co. Laois
On a recent Farm Business Options webinar which took place on Tuesday, 16th March 2021, host Peter Doolan, Teagasc Laois was joined by three local farmers to discuss farm diversification into soft food produce, angling and organic dairying in Co. Laois. A Q&A session also took place
27 March 2021

ASSAP Factsheets on Farming for Water Quality
The Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) have produced a series of five factsheets to help farmers maintain and improve the quality of water bodies in Ireland. They provide practical tips for farmers to implement which will benefit watercourses on their farms.
27 March 2021

Planning a Successful Breeding Season with Francis Nolan
On Thursday, 25 March a Breeding Webinar took place with Teagasc/Glanbia Future Farmer Francis Nolan, Co. Kilkenny. Francis was joined by Richie O'Brien & George Ramsbottom, Teagasc and Joris Somers, Glanbia to discuss the steps Francis is taking to plan for a successful breeding season on his farm
26 March 2021

ASSAP As Gaeilge
Ar mhaithe le sláinte an phobail i gcoitinne, is den riachtanas é, go bhfuil ard-chaighdéan uisce againn. Chun é seo a chinntiú, tá feirmeoirí fud fad na tíre, i gcomhairle le ASSAP, ag comhoibriú chun an t-uisce agus an timpeallacht a chaomhnú.
26 March 2021

Silage Storage & Water Quality
Silage effluent is a highly polluting liquid and can cause fish kills in watercourses/rivers and contaminate wells if not collected, stored and land spread properly. It is important to examine and repair silage pits and collection channels when pits are empty to ensure safe storage.
26 March 2021

Farmer testimonial on the ASSAP service
John Landers has a dairy farm beside the Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford. The river Colligan runs through John's land, it is one of 190 priority areas for action (PAA’s) where water quality needs some improvement.
26 March 2021

Pig Newsletter March 2021
Get the latest information and advice from the Teagasc Pig Team. In this month's edition: Optimising creep feeding; Mixed up about mixing and Rectal Prolapse – Causes and Cures
26 March 2021

Managing Farm Yards to Reduce Soiled Water Losses
Soiled water is defined in the Nitrates Directive as water from concentrated areas, hard standing areas, holding areas for livestock and other farmyard areas where the water is contaminated by livestock faeces/ urine, silage effluent, chemical fertilisers, dairy or vegetable washings. Read more here
26 March 2021

The RESONATE Project: Investigating the Resilience of European Forests
Forests form a central plank of Europe’s new “Green Deal” policy. Now as more will be demanded from our forests, how will they cope in a changing climate? A new Horizon 2020 research project called “RESONATE” will help answer this. Jonathan Spazzi, Forestry Advisor, enlightens us here
26 March 2021

Housing of Livestock
Livestock housed over the winter period need facilities that are fit for purpose and have adequate storage capacity for the statutory number of weeks. Claire Mooney, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor, has some important guidelines here on the management of winter housing to prevent nutrient losses
26 March 2021

Grass10 Newsletter - 23rd March 2021
Get the latest Grass10 update: PastureBase data & Elodie Ruelle’s MoSt Grass Growth Prediction Model, cold weather forecast; Eddie ODonnell, Tipperary on his 2nd rotation grazing plan; Spring Grazing updates from Donal Patton & Barry Reilly, Ballyhaise Research Farm and John Galvin Sustainable GFOTY
25 March 2021

Wetlands and Water
A combination of geology and abundant rain has endowed Ireland with an extraordinary array of wetlands covering some 20% of the country. Functional wetlands are among our most productive environments providing a vast array of eco-system services. ASSAP advisor Mary Roache has more information
25 March 2021

Water Quality and the Freshwater Pearl Mussel
The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is a large filter-feeding bivalve. European freshwater pearl mussel populations have declined by 90 % over the past century. Mary McAndrew, Catchment Officer Pearl Mussel Project gives information on this long lived creature.
25 March 2021

The importance of trees in Ireland
Ireland's waterways evolved in tandem with our native woodlands. Of the 16,000 townlands in Ireland 14,000 have names related to trees, forests and water. Farm forests are known to reduce the leaching of nutrients from agricultural soils
25 March 2021

Best practice on spent sheep dip and footbath solutions
The practice of sheep dipping in summer or winter or both, is an important annual practice on sheep farms. Sheep dips, such as Organophosphates and Pryrethroids, are extremely effective but must be safely disposed of afterwards to protect aquatic life, as Shaun Roarty, ASSAP Advisor, Donegal advises
25 March 2021

MCPA and rushes
In 2020 MCPA commonly used to control rushes was responsible for 46 out of 91 detected pesticide breeches. MCPA is water soluble, it does not bind to soil particles and therefore more prone to leaching and run-off to nearby waterbodies. Mary Roache, ASSAP Advisor Mayo, talks about Rush Spraying here
25 March 2021

Best Practice use of pesticides
Monitoring of drinking water in Ireland continues to detect exceedances above the standard for certain herbicides. The chemicals causing greatest problems are MCPA (Agritox, Mortone, etc) and 2,4-D (Bandock EW, Mortox 50 etc). They are highly soluble in water. Kieran Kenny ASSAP Advisor has more
25 March 2021

Is Organic tillage for you?
The latest Organic Farm Scheme is open to tillage farmers against the backdrop of an EU target to have 25% of all land in organic production by 2030. On this week’s episode of the Tillage Edge podcast, Elaine Leavy, Organic Specialist in Teagasc, joined Michael Hennessy to discuss organic tillage
25 March 2021

Tillage Update 25th March 2021
In the weeks and months ahead cereal and other crops will receive the most of their N, P, K & S requirements to build and develop grain yield potential. This Water Quality week Teagasc advises efficient use of applied nutrients to reduce loss to the environment. Mark Plunkett talks about the 4 Rs
25 March 2021

Pesticides and losses to water
What happens to pesticides after application? TEAGASC researchers have monitored the concentrations of commonly used herbicides in two agricultural river catchments as a part of the EU Horizon 2020-funded WaterProtect. Per-Erik Mellander, Catchment Scientist, has details of this on-going monitoring
24 March 2021

SMARTER_BufferZ
Riparian buffer zones are patches of land adjacent to rivers, streams and drains, removed from intensive production. When designed correctly, they play a significant role in the reduction of diffuse inputs from agriculture entering our waterbodies.
24 March 2021

The Caha Project
The Caha Project is a project where nine farmers have come together to protect a section of their local river. This length of river is particularity important as it has been identified as having a High Status Objective and is a Priority Area for Action under the Water Frameworks Directive
24 March 2021

Drainage Maintenance to protect Water Quality
Ireland lies in a temperate zone where the main role of drainage is the removal of excess water in the root zone of crops from surplus rainfall, improving land trafficability and increasing productivity. Meabh O'Hagan, ASSAP Advisor and Niall McLoughlin, Lakeland Dairies has some advice.
24 March 2021

Phosphorus Use on Peat Soils
A recent analysis conducted by the Teagasc Rural Economy and Development programme indicates that approximately 6% of the country (420,000 Ha) is made up of cultivated peats across a wide range of farming intensities. Fiona Doolan, ASSAP Advisor Kildare/Laois, discusses Phosphorus Use on Peat Soils
24 March 2021

Managing farm roads to protect water quality
Farm roadways are an essential piece of infrastructure on most livestock farms and in particular dairy farms. Under new Nitrates rules there shall be no direct runoff of soiled water from farm roadways to waters from 1st January 2021. Padraig Fitzgerald, Teagasc Advisor lists the key points involved
24 March 2021

Beep S and Dairy Beef Calf Programmes 2021
DAFM has announced the opening of a new €5m dairy beef calf programme for 2021.This new funding is in addition to the funding made available to the BEEP S programme. Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist has details of the tasks involved, for farmers applying for either or both programmes here
24 March 2021

What is a Riparian Margin & what can it do for Water Quality?
A Riparian Margin is the land that runs alongside our rivers and streams. Here, Fiona Doolan, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor, Co. Laois, talks about a variety of riparian margins. She explains the benefits of a riparian margin on water quality and the role it plays in protecting rivers and streams
24 March 2021

Managing Soil Phosphorous for Water Quality
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient particularly when it comes to crop establishment. Eddie Burgess, Catchment Specialist with the Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme speaks more about managing soil phosphorus for water quality.
24 March 2021

What impact can weed control & drainage work have on water quality?
Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advice Programme advisors Mary Roache & Meabh O’Hagan join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast as part of Water Quality Week to highlight correct weed control management & tips on carrying out drainage work to reduce impact on water quality.
23 March 2021

ASSAP - Working with farmers to improve water quality
The Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme - ASSAP is in existence since 2018. Advisors are working with farmers in Priority areas for action (PAA) across the country to improve water quality. ASSAP advisors Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers give information about the programme
23 March 2021

Catch Crops for Water Quality
There are multiple benefits to using catch or cover crops in a tillage system. In terms of water quality it is the ability of catch crops to reduce nitrate (NO3-N) leaching that makes it a valuable tool for all tillage farmers.
23 March 2021

Why LESS is more
Slurry application on Irish farms was often seen as a chore, done to relieve pressure on slurry storage systems in late winter / early spring, traditionally spread by splashplate. Today this is changing fast with the use of low emission slurry spreaders (LESS), as Eamonn Lynch Dairy Advisor,explains
23 March 2021

Clover - Why Now?
Ever thought of increasing the diversity in your swards? This can be simply and profitably done across the whole farm over 3 years adding to the health of the soil, animals and consumers as well as reducing losses to water and emissions to the atmosphere. Lane Giles, ASSAP Advisor tells us more.
23 March 2021

Why You Should Use Protected Urea
Protected urea allows farmers to spread urea based nitrogen during the growing season without the worry of nitrogen (N) being lost from the field through ammonia emissions. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching when compared to CAN Cathal Somers gives more information
23 March 2021

Nitrogen Use Efficiency = Cleaner Water
Deirdre Glynn, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor and Dr. David Wall, Teagasc Researcher both define Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) here. They discuss losses of Nitrogen and how we can avoid this going forward through soil testing, nutrient planning, responsible fertiliser and slurry spreading and more
23 March 2021

Identifying the problem ewes during lambing
Dr Frank Campion joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to talk about reducing the number of problem ewes.
23 March 2021

How Nitrate leaching occurs
Nitrate leaching can occur during times of heavy or prolonged rainfall. Free draining soils are particularly susceptible to nitrate loss as it's very mobile in soil and readily leaches groundwater. The highest risk is in winter and early spring, as Prof Owen Fenton, Teagasc Researcher explains
22 March 2021

ASSAP- Farming for Water Quality
ASSAP – Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advice Programme works with farmers in a free and confidential advisory service to help improve water quality. Priority areas for action (PAA) are being targeted across the country to improve water quality.
22 March 2021

Farming for Water Quality in a Priority Area for Action - Farmer Testimonial
The Glenaboy river in county Waterford is currently at Moderate ecological status. The river catchment is in a Priority Area for Action (PAA) for the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP). Find out how farmers and ASSAP advisors work together to improve water quality
22 March 2021

Water Quality in your area & accessing catchments.ie
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operate a number of water quality monitoring programmes to assess the condition of waters in Ireland. The outcome these monitoring programmes is available to see on the EPA interactive map.The map can be accessed on the website catchments.ie
22 March 2021

Water Quality Indicators - Chemical Sampling
It is important to understand what causes damage to our waters and work together to protect them. As part of Water Quality Week and World Water Day today, LAWPRO Scientists demonstrate here what the chemical indicators of water quality are and how this sampling is carried out
22 March 2021

Using kick sampling to determine the quality of water in a river?
Macro-invertebrates are small aquatic animals such as insect larva, snails, worms, beetles etc and are excellent indicators of water quality. Where rivers are unpolluted these are in abundance. Scientists examine these macroinvertebrates by kick sampling, as LAWPRO catchment scientists demonstrate
22 March 2021

How to Maintain & Improve Water Quality
Eimear Connery and Noel Meehan join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge with an insight into the role of the Teagasc ASSAP programme and the efforts to maintain and improve water quality in Ireland.
22 March 2021

Why is water quality important?
We need safe and secure waters to supply agriculture, industry and our drinking water needs. It is important that we understand what causes damage to our waters and work together to protect them. As part of Water Quality Week and World Water Day today, LAWPRO Scientist Ruth Hennessy has more here
22 March 2021

The past, present & future of water quality in Ireland
In this bonus episode of the Environment Edge podcast, Jenny Deakin EPA catchment unit manager joins Teagasc’s Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn to discuss the past, present & future of water quality in Ireland and how climate change will challenge us all.
21 March 2021

EU's green deal - Essential role of legumes
This webinar is a Legume innovation and networking workshop which is hosted by Mark Gibson and brought to you by Teagasc. The legumes innovation workshop aims to identify transition paths enabling home grown legumes in a more sustainable food and feed value chain.
21 March 2021

Ballyhaise Research Farm March Update
The Ballyhaise research programme has for 15 years focused on improving grazing systems for farmers in the BMW (Border Midlands West) region . The research looked at stocking rate, days at grass, calving date and feed inputs. Here Dairy Specialist James Dunne gives more information on new research
21 March 2021

Farmer Safety Health and Wellness Webinar Series: Rena Buckley
Carbery Group, Cork recently held a Webinar on Farm Safety, Health and Wellness for farmer suppliers in advance of a busy spring. The Event will now be shown as a series of Webinars for 3 Sundays. The second is Rena Buckley, giving pointers on Gaining Health through, Exercise and Diet
20 March 2021

Let's Talk Dairy - Munster Bovine health screening
In this episode of the Let's Talk Dairy webinar series, Stuart Childs is joined by Dennis Howard who is a Veterinary Surgeon with Munster Bovine. The topic discussed in this webinar is bulk milk health screening and its commonality in certain regions in Ireland with special emphasis in Munster.
20 March 2021

Teagasc forest establishment workshops very well received
During February and March, landowners were able to participate in three one-hour online workshops “Planting a new forest - Getting started”, organised by Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department. Close to 600 people registered for these workshops and each session had well over 300 participants