Crops
Growing need for oilseeds
Supply is down and demand is growing, so there are lots of opportunity with this proven crop. Ciarán Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist and John Pettit, Teagasc tillage advisor, Wexford discuss the Growing need for oilseeds.
24 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
Understanding the genetic blueprint of the grain aphid
By unravelling the DNA sequence of the English grain aphid, Teagasc is providing novel insights that support research into insecticide resistance and mechanisms of viral transmission. Teagasc researchers Stephen Byrne, Maximilian Schughart and Louise McNamara explain
23 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
Crops Harvest and Oilseed Rape update August 18th
Tillage specialist Michael Hennessy gives this weeks update on Crops. This includes the harvest, oilseed rape prices and club root issues. He has advice on how to manage an oilseed rape crop. Catch up with the latest Tillage Edge Podcast
18 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
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
Early establishment of green covers most beneficial
Maintaining a green cover over the winter period has many environmental, agronomic and economic benefits. Sowing date has a major impact on the N uptake by a sown cover crop. Different cover crop species will have different abilities to recovery N over the winter period.
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
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
Tillage update - Stubble management and Cover Crops
Tillage specialist Shay Phelan gives a timely update on the current harvest situation. He also has information on stubble management and some tips to get the maximum benefit from cover crops. Catch up on this weeks The Tillage Edge Podcast.
11 August 2022
Meet Signpost Tillage Farmer Vincent Macken
Vincent Macken mainly grows winter and spring crops. He has completed the winter barley harvest with yields averaging at 9 t/ha at a moisture of 15 %. Quality was generally very good. He also farms collaboratively with a neighbour sharing both machinery and labour. Get his latest farm update here
11 August 2022
Tillage Newsletter - August 2022
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Tillage team in the August newsletter. It includes: Winter oilseed rape; Post-harvest stubble management; Catch crops; Planning for Harvest 2023; Health & Safety - Take care with machinery; and more.
11 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
New Teagasc Organic Cropping and Integrated Systems Specialist
Teagasc have appointed Martin Bourke as a new Organic Cropping and Integrated Systems Specialist. He joins Elaine Leavy and Joe Kellegher as Teagasc national organic specialists who support organic farmers and advisers.
08 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
Potato blight disease research
Potato late blight, continues to be the most economically destructive disease of global potato crops. The primary potato disease remains Phytophthora infestans (late blight), responsible for €1,000,000,000 of annual losses in the EU alone. Read about the focus of Teagasc Late Blight Research here
06 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
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
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter August 2022
In this month’s newsletter we have an article encouraging all farmers to take just one action on their farm to reduce emissions this Autumn as well as a useful article on cover crops; 3 Signpost farmers profiled. Our climate actions focus on catch crops, liming, building Autumn grass and more here
04 August 2022
Jessy’s Farm Safety Champions announced in Farm Safety Competition
Jessy the Sheep Dog, the Teagasc Farm Safety mascot, loves to help keep everyone safe on the farm. To celebrate end of school term and highlight safety during the recent Farm Safety Week, Jessy and her friends ran an art competition in which 4 lucky winners were chosen to receive a toy shop voucher
04 August 2022
Tillage Update – Changes to Shallow Cultivation Post-Harvest Requirements
Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist, remarks on the exceptionally good weather and soils conditions with 25% less rain in 2022 than normal. Mark has the details on the Amendment to the requirement to shallow cultivate post-harvest, under the Nitrates Directive, SI 113 of 2022
04 August 2022
Taking the first step to reducing emissions on your farm
The EPA report released on the 21st July was stark. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from Agriculture (and other sectors) continues to rise. For 2021, emissions from Agriculture increased by 3% compared to 2020 levels. This is going in the wrong direction, say Siobhán Kavanagh & Karl Richards, Teagasc
04 August 2022
Reducing the impacts of high input costs on Tillage Farms
Maintaining current crop yields and margins while managing higher costs of fertilisers, fuel and possibly fertiliser supply issues in the year ahead is today's challenge. Mark Plunkett, Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist, Teagasc Johnstown Castle, advises on getting more from each kilo of fertiliser
02 August 2022
Is it necessary to complete the Green Cert?
On completion of the Green Cert course, students meet the requirements of a qualified farmer for the purposes of all Revenue and Department of Agriculture (DAFM) schemes. Serena Gibbons, Education Officer, Teagasc Athenry discusses the wider benefits of completing the Green Cert
31 July 2022
It’s hard to be green, when in the red
Farmers are facing a big challenge when it comes to balancing economic sustainability with environmental sustainability, says Michael Hayden, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Maynooth University. This External Insights article featured in the TResearch Summer 2022 Magazine. Read more here
31 July 2022
Summer safety on farm
Summer is always a very busy time on farms and there is so much happening with silage, harvesting of crops and ongoing management of livestock, but we all need to remain mindful of health and safety on the farm. Marion Fox, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Athenry focuses on a few areas to consider
30 July 2022
Tillage Update on Crop Yields and Stubble Cultivation
As harvest continues around the country there are some very disappointed winter barley growers especially those with earlier sown (and harvested) crops, as yields rarely surpassed 3.5t/ac. Michael Hennessy Head of Teagasc Crops KT suggests why this might be. He also discusses stubble cultivation
28 July 2022