Articles
Entries sought for ‘Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age’ awards
Do you use digital technologies on your farm? Then the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) ‘Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age’ awards may be of interest to you.
16 September 2024
Teagasc at the National Ploughing Championships 2024
Anticipation is building for the National Ploughing Championships, taking place in Ratheniska, Co. Laois from September 17-19, with the Teagasc exhibit centred on the theme of: ‘Better Farming, Better Environment, Better Living’.
16 September 2024
Finishing Holstein Friesian dairy-beef steers
Decision time is fast approaching for dairy-beef farmers to select the most appropriate finishing strategy for the Holstein Friesian steers on their farms.
15 September 2024
Slowing down to get ahead
With agriculture putting a strain on water quality, Teagasc researchers are developing farm-scale measures to break pollutant pathways and reduce nutrient and sediment runoff into waterbodies.
15 September 2024
Ram Mating Management
To optimise lambing rates, ensure rams are in good health and body condition, use multiple rams, and maintain proper ram-to-ewe ratios, James Doran, Teagasc Drystock Advisor, tells us more.
15 September 2024
Autumn grassland management and looking ahead to 2025
Despite the on/off grass growth patterns we have had this summer, Co-ordinator of the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme, Sandra Hayes explains why it is still important to re-focus our minds now to build grass for the autumn.
15 September 2024
Autumn planting
Balancing early cereal planting with risks such as BYDV, take-all, and disease is crucial, while strategic crop rotation, including oilseed rape, rye, and BYDV-tolerant barley, can optimise yield and profitability.
14 September 2024
Sustainable Farming at Beechlawn Organic Farm
Padraig Glynn writes about Beechlawn Organic Farm, a leading organic horticulture enterprise in Ireland, growing a variety of vegetables using sustainable practices, which recently hosted a successful farm walk highlighting organic farming techniques and benefits.
14 September 2024
Countdown on for Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024
The winners of the Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024 will be crowned on October 1.
13 September 2024
Check allowances and conditions before committing to final day fertiliser applications
With September 14 being the final day for the application of chemical nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) fertilisers before the closed period comes into effect, Sandra Hayes reminds farmers to check their fertiliser allowances and ground conditions before deciding to spread.
13 September 2024
The Green Cert - A course with many benefits
Brendan Garry, Teagasc Ballinrobe, tells us about the benefits of the Green Cert course, available through Teagasc, offering practical training for young farmers, and leading to financial benefits including tax reliefs and eligibility for certain schemes.
13 September 2024
A twist in the tail
Keelin O’Driscoll and Roberta D’Alessio write about the tail-biting risk assessment scheme for Irish pig farms, aimed at identifying farm-specific risk factors, and how efforts are underway to refine the tool for improved accuracy.
13 September 2024
Visit Teagasc Forestry at the National Ploughing Championships
Visit the Teagasc stand at the National Ploughing Championships to get forestry advice, explore tree planting options, and experience virtual reality forests.
13 September 2024
Beef Welfare Scheme 2024: Key details and how to apply
With the closing date for the Beef Welfare Scheme 2024 fast approaching, Manager of the Teagasc Future Beef Programme, Martina Harrington takes a comprehensive look at the scheme, what’s required, and how to apply.
13 September 2024
Control thermoduric bacteria
A recent Teagasc Dairy Newsletter article focused on thermoduric bacteria, which survive pasteurisation and can affect milk quality, and can be controlled through proper cow hygiene, milking practices, and effective cleaning of milking equipment.
12 September 2024
Watch: How to draw up a simple fodder budget using PastureBase Ireland
This month’s farm visits on the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme have focused on building autumn grass and completing fodder budgets for the winter ahead.
12 September 2024
Grass10 grazing update with Jack Kearney, Co. Cork
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses autumn grazing targets as predicted growth rates start to drop and he has a grazing update from Jack Kearney, Rathcormac, Co. Cork. He also discusses PastureBase data, Dry Matter % and Predicted grass growth and rainfall.
12 September 2024
Assessing soils is the best route to healthier soils
Correctly structured healthy soils will deliver better returns for farmers. Joining this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist at Teagasc, Dr Veronica Nyhan discusses why it is necessary to carry out regular soil assessments and how the results can be used.
12 September 2024
Can white clover inclusion lower sheep methane emissions?
Methane is the primary greenhouse gas of concern for ruminant production systems globally, but research conducted at the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Athenry, has shed new light on the potential of white clover inclusion in sheep diets to reduce its production.
12 September 2024
Soil health, rotations and early planting addressed at Teagasc Crops Forum
The Teagasc Crops Forum discussed the latest agronomy issues facing farmers and also how farmers can improve their soils in the coming years. The Crops Forum took place on Wednesday, September 11 in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
11 September 2024
Schedule of SCEP in-person training events released
The schedule for in-person training events for participants in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) have been announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D.
11 September 2024
Best practices to lower GHG and ammonia emissions ‘no threat’ to dairy profitability
Research conducted at Solohead Research Farm has evaluated the impact of adopting key technologies to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions on the economic performance of grassland-based dairy production systems.
11 September 2024
Options to deal with fodder deficits
Have you completed a winter fodder budget? With the winter housing period fast approaching, the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 team has some key advice on dealing with fodder deficits if there’s the potential for one to arise on your farm.
11 September 2024
Future Beef farmer, Aonghusa Fahy on his farm system and management at weaning
Galway Future Beef farmer, Aonghusa Fahy features on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on his farm system and management at weaning.
11 September 2024
The key drivers of weight gain on Aidan Maguire’s farm
Looking back at the recent DairyBeef 500 farm walk held on the farm on Aidan Maguire, Advisor on the DairyBeef 500 Campaign, Gordon Peppard tells us how cattle weight gain is maximised on the farm in Navan, Co. Meath.
11 September 2024
Dr. Daire O'hUallacháin on the Nature Restoration Law
With 80% of European habitats in decline, what implications does the Nature Restoration Law have for Ireland?
10 September 2024
September grassland management of sheep farms
As we head into the latter half of the grazing season, farms need to put a plan in place for the later rotations, Sheep Specialist at Teagasc, Ciaran Lynch tells us more.
10 September 2024
Farmers’ and vets’ opinions sought on animal health disease and biosecurity for European study
Farmers and veterinarians in Ireland are being asked to add their voices to a cross-European exercise to find out what animal diseases are of most concern to the agricultural community.
10 September 2024
Autumn finishing - to feed at grass or not?
Martina Harrington, Manager of the Future Beef Programme, looks at the key variables farmers have to consider when opting to feed cattle at grass this autumn in order to have animals finished prior to housing.
10 September 2024
2024 Beef Welfare Scheme application deadline approaches
Farmers wishing to apply to the 2024 Beef Welfare Scheme, a programme which incentivises meal feeding pre and post weaning and the vaccination of suckler calves, have just two weeks left to submit their applications.
10 September 2024
Latest developments in sensory and consumer science showcased
Over 750 delegates from across the world have gathered in the RDS, Dublin for the 11th European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research, which takes place between the 8th and 11th of September, 2024.
09 September 2024
Listen: An update from the Tipperary Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm
Building a sustainable outlet for the ever-increasing dairy and dairy-beef calves coming from the dairy industry is a priority.
09 September 2024
CODD prevalence on Irish sheep farms higher than initially thought
The prevalence of CODD (Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis) – an infectious disease causing lameness in sheep – may be higher than initially thought, results of a recent survey of Irish sheep farmers have shown.
09 September 2024
Manage grass to extend grazing
From early September, there is still 20-25% of the total grass growing season remaining for 2024. Therefore, it’s important to meet your grazing objectives for the remainder of the year.
09 September 2024
New resource on managing grass weeds available
Teagasc, via a new and improved Grass Weeds webpage, has provided tillage farmers with a key resource to aid in the identification and control of grass weeds.
09 September 2024
Lameness: Survey results of causes and farmer management practices in Ireland
Jake Delaney, a Postgraduate student at Teagasc, joins Ciaran Lynch on this week’s OviCast podcast to discuss some of the results of a survey he collected last year looking at ovine lameness in Ireland and assessment of farmer management.
08 September 2024
New high yielding white clover varieties
As high yielding and persistent varieties of white clover are needed, Grass, Legume and Herb Breeder at Teagasc, Dr Patrick Conaghan tells us more on the latest generation of Teagasc white clover varieties.
08 September 2024
Under the shadow
Research conducted by Teagasc and the University of Galway has estimated the economic value – or shadow wage – of farm family labour on Irish dairy farms, highlighting the critical role of agricultural education in increasing its value.
08 September 2024
Monthly Grass10 Update including grassland management tips for September
It was a very challenging August this year and for the monthly Grass10 update, Niamh Doyle discusses how farmers have fed silage out over the past few weeks.
07 September 2024
Sustainable practices on Kay O'Sullivan's beef farm in Co. Cork
Kay O'Sullivan's beef farm is making strides in pollinator support, maintaining animal health, and managing nutrition to ensure a successful transition into the winter months.
07 September 2024
Emission Reduction Scenarios
Colm Kelly, Climate Action & Sustainability Adviser, discusses strategies for Irish farmers to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, using scenarios generated by the Agnav planner tool, and highlights the impact of adopting new technologies on emission levels.
07 September 2024
Listening to the trees
Paul Butler discusses the connection humans have with trees and promotes “Listening to the Trees” by appreciating the emotional, cultural, and environmental significance of trees.
06 September 2024
Majority of ACRES balancing payments expected by September’s end
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. has provided an update on the progress of ACRES payments already made and those for issue over the coming period.
06 September 2024
Is your crude protein costing you?
Kieran Keane writes about variations in crude protein content, which can substantially impact diet formulation costs and effectiveness.
06 September 2024
Grass10 grazing management update: achieving adequate grass supply
On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Niamh Doyle has tips to achieving adequate grass supply as growth rates are below normal for this time of year and she has an update from featured farmer, Killian Brennan, Co. Cavan.
06 September 2024
Drilling oilseed rape and creating a cropping plan for winter crops
Crops Specialist at Teagasc, Shay Phelan offers key advice on establishing and managing winter oilseed rape crops, while also focusing on the key elements of a cropping plan for winter crops.
05 September 2024
‘Rapid uptake’ of MACC measures needed to reduce agricultural emissions
In its recommendations to Government, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has highlighted the need for a “rapid uptake of the high-impact and cost effective measures from the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve to reduce agricultural emissions”.
05 September 2024
Building covers, breeding and weaning at Kildalton
Noeleen Brereton, Beef Technician at Kildalton, provides an update on the college’s herd, focusing on building covers for the autumn, animal performance and weaning, and the sires used over the course of the breeding season.
05 September 2024
Harvest results from around the country
With a good proportion of the harvest completed, Teagasc Tillage Advisors, Ciara O’Donovan, Conor O’Callaghan and John Pettit join this week’s Tillage Edge podcast to report on the yields in their areas to date, with all three reporting good yields from spring barley and reasonable straw yields.
05 September 2024
Fertiliser spreading closed period approaching
The closed period for the application of chemical fertiliser, either nitrogen or phosphorous, is fast approaching.
05 September 2024