Beef
Promising results from Ireland’s first large scale measurement of methane emissions in beef cattle
Novel research led by Teagasc, in collaboration with colleagues at University College Dublin (UCD) and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), are making strides towards identifying, and ultimately, breeding for low methane emitting beef cattle to improve environmental sustainability in cattle
02 December 2021
Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) Rollover
The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has issued letters to farmer participants in the 2021 transitional BDGP scheme, informing them of the option to further extend contracts for a rollover of one further year into 2022. Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, has advice on what to do
01 December 2021
The new Commercial Beef Value (CBV) Explained
Chris Daly from ICBF joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to explain the new Commercial Beef Value (CBV) which will be launched at the Teagasc Virtual Beef Conference next week on 6th December at 8pm.
01 December 2021
GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme Farmer Focus – Bernard Bugler
Bernard Bugler is a GLAS 3 Participant from Co. Clare who availed of the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme for repairs to an old stone Building situated in the farmyard. The building was thought to be over 150 years old. Martina Enright, Teagasc Ennis Advisor has details of what was involved
30 November 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Sexed semen - synchronisation or natural heat?
With the opening of the sexed semen laboratory at Moorepark, the use of the technology is likely to increase substantially in the 2022 breeding season. One unanswered question at the Virtual Dairy Conference concerned whether or not synchronisation was essential to ensure high conception rate
30 November 2021
Liver Fluke Forecast November 2021
Each year, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in collaboration with Met Éireann, UCD, Teagasc and Animal Health Ireland advises farmers of the predicted risk of disease caused by liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection in livestock for that autumn and winter. Read more here
27 November 2021
Value of Pig Manure
In this infographic the Teagasc Pig Development Department have highlighted how farmers can make substantial savings by using pig manure to grow their grass and tillage crops based on current fertilizer prices.
26 November 2021
European Beef Sector gather to drive sustainability
All actors and stakeholders in cattle farming and beef production are invited to attend BovINE’s online meeting to share knowledge and discuss the sustainable future of the sector. The online meeting on 2nd December 2021 is open to all.
25 November 2021
Are you supplementing your weanlings correctly?
A number of on-farm weighing studies over the years have shown that weanlings often underperform over the winter feeding months. There are a number of factors which will affect this performance. Martina Harrington, Teagasc Cattle Specialist has some advice on supplementing weanlings.
24 November 2021
Beefing up your efforts
A combined effort to improve calf quality & health will support higher performance allowing earlier age at slaughter, furthering the sustainability of grass-based dairy & beef systems. Nicky Byrne & Donall Fahy, Teagasc, discuss the key actions to maximise the potential of the entire calf crop.
24 November 2021
Trying to make sense of the Climate Action Plan
The Climate Action Plan is aiming to reduce our total national emissions by 51% by 2030. Each sector of the economy has been allocated a budget. Enda O’Hart, Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Castlerea discusses two of the recently published sectoral budgets under the Climate Action Plan, impacting farmers
23 November 2021
Earlier Finishing in Practice
Climate commitments through the Climate Action Plan are set to have a fundamental policy impact on beef production over the coming decades. Colm Kelly, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinasloe answers common questions about finishing cattle earlier and the challenges he has encountered.
22 November 2021
The Future Beef Programme in Co Roscommon
The aim of the Future Beef programme is to demonstrate to beef farmers how they can produce a quality product as efficiently as possible to make beef farming more profitable while also making it more environmentally sustainable. Brian Daly, Advisor, Roscommon introduces two future beef farmers
21 November 2021
The Signpost Series - Assessing Biodiversity Management Practices on Intensively managed farmland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, held on Friday, 5 November, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist to discuss assessing Biodiversity Management Practices on intensively managed farmland
21 November 2021
John Barry Signpost beef farmer on reducing emissions
This month we meet farmers that are engaging with their carbon footprint figure. Michael Daly, Teagasc Drystock Advisor, joins suckler farmer John Barry in Co. Tipperary, to analyse the results of his audit report from Bord Bia and suitable actions he can take to reduce emissions.
20 November 2021
Are you considering converting to Organic Farming?
The Teagasc Organic Specialists are hosting a series of Autumn organic webinars covering various technical aspects of organic farming. The third webinar in the series, on Wednesday, 24 November at 7:30pm focuses on considering converting to Organic Farming. Two farmers talk about their experiences
18 November 2021
Fluke Control – Product Choice and Timing Critical
As we move into the winter months and cattle come into the shed apart from the obvious hike ration costs our thoughts should turn to Fluke control. Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist has more guidance on choosing the right product to use at the right time
17 November 2021
The Signpost Series - Biorefinery Glas and the potential of the bioeconomy to transform grassland agriculture in Ireland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 22 October, Mark Gibson, Teagasc was joined by James Gaffey, MTU; Johan Sanders, Grassa; and Bridget Lynch, Teagasc to discuss Biorefinery Glas and the potential of the bioeconomy to transform grassland agriculture in Ireland.
16 November 2021
Seaweed supplementation to reduce methane emissions in ruminants
Researchers at Teagasc are investigating whether the addition of native seaweeds and seaweed extracts to the ruminant diet can reduce methane emissions. Dr Maria Hayes explains more to presenter Jonathan McCrea on “10 Things to Know About…Seaweed”, airing tonight on RTÉ One Television at 8:30pm.
15 November 2021
Hiring staff: Where to start?
The Spring 2022 calving season around the corner so now is a good time to plan who will help to run your business. All too often fatigue and burn out occur in Spring time on many farms. Dairy Specialist Martina Gormley gives some information and advice on hiring staff.
15 November 2021
Is the Tide Eventually Turning for Clover?
Dairy farmers are regularly asking their advisors what they are going to do about fertiliser next spring. They are aware that Nitrogen fertiliser looks to be scarce for next spring and if available, it will be at inflated prices. Teagasc Advisor John Hardy has advice on the some options for coping
14 November 2021
Cattle Housing Ventilation
Temperatures close to 20°C in October highlighted the necessity for well-ventilated animal housing. Recent winters have been mild with few sub-zero temperatures. Recent heavy rainfall has forced some farmers to house cattle especially on wetter lands. Mayo advisor Brian Hughes advises on ventilation
13 November 2021
Forests helping to re-connect with nature
Now more than ever, individuals and society are questioning “the meaning of life” and seeking answers. A new native woodland in Roscommon offers a re-connection with nature. Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry Advisor takes us to Seán Butler's recent plantation at Hillside Holistic Farm
12 November 2021
Timoleague Catchment Research entering a new phase
The Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) has been conducting research and farm advice, recording water quality, quality and weather data in Timoleague, West-Cork since 2009. As Timoleague Catchment Research is entering a new phase, Oisín Coakley, ACP Advisor brings us an update
12 November 2021
Decision time for Dairy Beef finishers- Feed or store?
The vast majority of 18-21 month old beef cattle have been housed at this stage. Alan Dillon, Teagasc Beef Specialist, answers the question on which stock to feed on to finish and which to store for a grass kill next summer/autumn. He advises weighing post housing as an obvious first step.
10 November 2021
Creating Our Future
I’m sure you have seen or heard ads for the Creating Our Future initiative, which is a campaign being run by the government of Ireland to find out from the public what they think we should be doing scientific research on in the future.
09 November 2021
Generating bioplastics using haemoglobin from blood
On “10 Things to Know About … Blood”, airing tonight, Monday, 8 November, on RTÉ One Television at 8:30pm, presenter Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin will meet Teagasc Researchers, Dr Anne Maria Mullen and Dr Carlos Alvarez, who have developed a method to generate bioplastics using haemoglobin from blood.
08 November 2021
Agriculture Climate Targets Challenging but Achievable
Teagasc is committed to continue its research and advisory programme supporting farmers to meet the reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions set in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.
07 November 2021
Making the most of what you have!
Here Bernie Leahy, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway considers The Parable of the Talents in the Bible, and likens it to Teagasc initiatives such as Signpost Programme and Farm Diversification which encourage farmers to be efficient, not wasteful, changing practices for the sake of the environment
07 November 2021
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter November 2021
This months newsletter provides a guide to the actions beef farmers can take to reduce emissions on their farm, including 2 Signpost Farmers, Alex McCarthy (Dairy) & John Barry (Beef), outlining their carbon footprint; A guide & link to the Dairy Energy Decision Support Tool; research update & more
06 November 2021