Beef
Grass10 Newsletter - 23rd August 2021
The Grass10 team has an action-packed newsletter this week. From Grassland Farmer competition to featured farmers, clover reporter and dairy & beef podcasts to the upcoming GFOTY Farm Walks and Swards for the Future Conference/Workshop. Plus the regular features and advice on Autumn grass management
24 August 2022
Prioritising quality grass for lambs on Malin Head
Tommy Mullin is a sheep farmer, farming close to the most Northerly point in Ireland at Bree, Malin Head, Co. Donegal. With a sheep flock of 400 lowland ewes, 180 horned ewes and more, we find out from Tommy Doherty, Drystock adviser, Teagasc Letterkenny how this farm manages grass quality
23 August 2022
Get lime out now to reduce expensive fertiliser demands in 2023
Liming of our soils continues to be a challenge with a 10 to 13% decline in samples with optimal soil pH on dairy, tillage and drystock farms sampled in 2021. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist emphasises the benefits of lime and why farmers should apply lime now
23 August 2022
Recycled Astro turf on farm roadways
Increasingly we see dairy farmers using recycled astro-turf from all weather sports pitches or hockey pitches on their farm roadways to improve the top surface on the road, increase cow flow and reduce lameness. Dairy specialist Patrick Gowing advises on key things to be considered
22 August 2022
Climate Change Actions and Biodiversity on Newford Farm
Along with most farms in the country the Newford farm is putting increasing emphasis on climate actions and biodiversity. Here Michael Fagan gives an update on some of the measures currently being implemented.
22 August 2022
Weighing your beef cattle
Cattle across the country are out grazing now since the spring and gaining sufficient levels of liveweight gain. Do you know your cattle weights? Here, Niall Kerins, Teagasc Advisor, Kilrush, Co. Clare lists the benefits that weighing your cattle can bring to you on your farm.
21 August 2022
Contract Rearing of Replacement Heifers
What is contract rearing? What makes contract rearing attractive to dairy farmers? What makes contract rearing attractive to rearers? What information is available? Get all the answers here and at our upcoming open days starting on 1st September at 11am in Golden Co. Tipperary
21 August 2022
Water Quality - Phosphorus & ACRES
The protection of water quality from nutrient, sediment & pesticide losses and achieving ‘Good Status’ for all waters in Ireland is a key national goal. Since 2018, The Agricultural Sustainability Support & Advisory Service (ASSAP) is providing advice. Ivan Kelly, Teagasc Athenry Advisor has more
20 August 2022
Management tasks for suckler cow herds this autumn
Ring feeders in paddocks with sucklers is currently a common sight. The recent rain should kick-start growth. On moderately stocked farms with grass covers possibly run down it may be tricky to build covers into the autumn. Specialist Alan Dillon offers advice
19 August 2022
National Soil Fertility Trends
In 2021 Teagasc analysed a total 33,876 soil samples comprising dairy, drystock and tillage enterprises. 2021 shows that soil fertility declined on dairy farms for the second consecutive year. Lime use increased by ~ 50% compared to the average lime applied in Ireland over the last 10 years.
18 August 2022
The Clover Reporter and Research update
This week's clover reporter is Lawrence Sexton from Kilbrittain Co. Cork. Stephen Ryan from Dungarvan Co Waterford is the featured farmer. William Burchill, advisor on the Teagasc/ Dairygold joint programme discusses maintenance P and K requirements
17 August 2022
Latest information and updates from the Grass10 team
This update has pointers and advice from the Grass10 team in their weekly e-newsletter. It includes: PastureBase Ireland Dairy and Drystock figures; Predicted Grass Growth and Rainfall; Grass Dry Matter %; Grass10 Weekly Checklist; and information on the upcoming Swards for the Future Conference.
17 August 2022
Climate Actions for August
August climate advice includes using catch crops after cereal crops, applying lime and building up for autumn grass. There is also advice to empty slurry tanks, milk record and on feeding ration at grass. Get all the details below
17 August 2022
Newford 17 ½ months old in-spec Beef Heifers finished off grass without meal
In the current update from the Newford farm Michael Fagan has some detailed information on heifers slaughtered on August 4th off grass with no meal. There is also an update on the TB outbreak which has hit the farm. he also gives an update on how the 2022 calves are faring.
16 August 2022
Considering Organic Conversion on Drystock farms
Colm Kelly, Teagasc Advisor, Ballinasloe, answers the questions commonly asked by drystock farmers considering converting to organic farming. Questions like ... "Is treating animals for health issues banned?" and ... "Where can I sell animals?"
Get the facts here
16 August 2022
Do you listen to podcasts?
Podcasts are audio shows that anyone with an iPhone, Android phone or computer can listen to. You can listen anywhere and anytime. Teagasc offer a full suite of free podcasts tailored to your enterprise. We'd like to hear your opinion on our podcasts
13 August 2022
Forest fires – we can all help
As Forestry Advisor Steven Meyen writes this, Europe burns. Huge fires are destroying thousands of hectares of forests across Europe during this latest and not last heatwave. Mediterranean countries are worst affected but central & western European countries including Ireland are also suffering.
12 August 2022
Pointers for Beef Cattle In Warm weather.
Heat stress is not something that we have to worry too much about in this country but occasionally we are exposed to unusually high temperatures. With that in mind it is important to be vigilant around stock. Beef specialist Aidan Murray has some advice for beef farmers
12 August 2022
Rural Diversification
Many farmers and rural dwellers are interested in enterprise diversification. While diversification may not be practicable for every farmer, well planned and seasoned projects can create new sources of income for farmers. Seámus Lordan, Teagasc Advisor, Macroom has interesting advice.
12 August 2022
Environment Newsletter - August 2022
The August edition of the Environment newsletter focuses on the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). ACRES is the new Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) agri-environment scheme.
12 August 2022
12 Steps for Beef farmers to Reduce Gaseous Emissions
On the 28th July 2022, the Irish government reached agreement on Sectoral Emissions Ceilings to ensure Ireland plays a leading role in combating climate change. John Galvin, Teagasc Athenry advisor, explains how the Signpost Programme led by Teagasc will pave the way for farmers to achieve this
10 August 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 9th August 2022
Get your weekly tips from the Grass10 team. It includes: PastureBase Ireland Dairy and Drystock figures; Predicted Grass Growth and Rainfall; P & K requirements; Grass10 featured farmer - Micheal Casey; The Clover Reporter with Trevor Boland; Autumn Grazing Targets; and more.
10 August 2022
Respect the power of the Sun
In current hot weather it is very important to take lots of drinks, stay indoors during periods of high temperatures and avoid exposure to the damaging effects of UV radiation from the sun. Farmers are one of the highest risk groups for skin cancer. Find some advice here.
10 August 2022
Water supply important in dry weather
The current hot, dry grazing conditions will result in an increase in the intake of water by dairy cows. A jump in intake will put pressure on water systems where trough reserve or size is poor. George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, discuses the importance of water supply and recommendations
09 August 2022
Wind Energy
Domestically, the Irish Government is now focused on securing 70% of all electricity from renewables by 2030. In 2019, wind energy provided 32.5% of our electricity. Barry Caslin, Teagasc, Rural Economy and Development Programme has more Wind Energy information here in this factsheet
07 August 2022
Meet Ruairi Cummins - Future Beef farmer, Co. Kilkenny
Ruairi is farming on 35Ha of owned land split into two main blocks in Kilmoganny, Co. Kilkenny. He also works off farm with a local suckler farmer. The whole farm is paddocked. Find out the changes to soil fertility that Ruairi is making on his farm this summer and how he is managing animal health
07 August 2022
Energy-Saving Usage in Lighting
Good lighting is a fundamental requirement for the efficient operation of a farm. It is also an important element of farm safety during the winter months. As lighting is also costly to provide and run, now is the time to consider efficient lighting on the farm in advance of the longer nights.
06 August 2022
What do Irish consumers think about farming and animal welfare?
Analysis: consumers have generally positive views of animal welfare on Irish farms, but there is a growing knowledge gap about farming practices. This article, by Áine Regan and John Hyland, Teagasc was first publsihed recently on RTÉ Brainstorm. You can read it here
06 August 2022
Farming for a Better Future -Technologies for Today & Tomorrow
A major Teagasc Open Day is planned for Tuesday, 30th August at Teagasc Environment Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. This Open Day will demonstrate technologies and practices that can be adopted on farms to help maintain farm productivity and profitability and increase sustainability
05 August 2022
Review of Beef 2022 Open day
The Beef 2022 open day took place just a month ago on the 5th July. If you missed the open day tune into an episode of the beef edge podcast to get the key messages for your beef system. Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist reviews key points from the day with a series of Beef Edge podcasts here
05 August 2022