Crops

Spring -Crop Management and Sowing
John Galvin, Teagasc Drystock and Tillage Advisor, Galway has advice here on winter barley management and spring barley sowing. He gives an update on the new Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) scheme as part of Basic Payment Scheme application for 2021 and introduces the Area Monitoring System (AMS)
02 March 2021

Soil sampling - Money well spent
Now is the ideal time of the year to take soil samples on your farm if you have not done so in the recent past as it will provide vital information on the soil fertility status of your farm. Ciaran Beatty, Teagasc Advisor, Castlerea, advises not to delay in having soil samples taken
02 March 2021

Additional resources to meet demand for Green Cert Courses | Teagasc Virtual College Open Days
Teagasc welcomes the recent announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., giving approval for the recruitment of 20 fixed term education staff to meet exceptional demand for Teagasc Green Cert courses.
27 February 2021

Are you interested in coming to a Teagasc College?
Interested in pursuing a career in the land and agri-food sector? Have you considered applying for a course at a Teagasc college? Teagasc colleges offer a wide array of full-time and part-time courses in agriculture, horticulture, equine, forestry and more. Sign up & Join our March Virtual Open Days
24 February 2021

Brexit Trade Deal prevents Predicted Drop in Farm Income
A new report by economists at Teagasc published today, 23 February estimates that the average family farm income (FFI) in Ireland may increase by 3 per cent in 2021. Overall, some price inflation for farm inputs will be more than offset by higher prices for some farm outputs. Read more here
23 February 2021

Safety Tips when Handling Fertiliser
Fertiliser spreading season is upon us and so health and safety must always be a priority. Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, Francis Bligh, looks at the actions that can be taken to prevent injury when handling fertiliser.
21 February 2021

Let it Bee Project- A community approach to tackling pesticide issues in Newport
In order to pollinate crops and wild plants we need an abundance and diversity of wild pollinators and honeybees. Looking for a solution to the many pesticide exceedances in the Newport river catchment, the “Let It Bee” project begins. Mary Roache, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor, Westport has details
20 February 2021

Weather and Soil crucial to making great Whisky
A new academic study has provided conclusive proof of terroir’s influence on whisky, settling decades of an industry-dividing debate for both whisky drinkers and producers alike. Terroir is the French principle that factors like soil, microclimate, and topography together can influence flavour
19 February 2021

€2.7million funding for Ireland-Wales ‘Healthy Oats’ collaboration
The ‘Healthy Oats’ project – €2.18million of which has been granted from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Ireland-Wales Cooperation Programme will help farmers and industry prepare for the changes pending under the EU Green deal, including reduced use of fertilisers & pesticides
19 February 2021

2021 National Tillage Conference
The 2021 National Tillage Conference took place virtually, split over two days, on Wednesday, 3rd February and Wednesday, 17th February.
18 February 2021

Malting Barley Conference 2021
The Teagasc Malting Barley Conference in conjunction with Boortmalt,takes place virtually on Tuesday 23 February at 11.30 am. An interesting line up of speakers from Teagasc, Boortmalt and farmers to present on a range of topics from nitrogen application to disease control and more. Register online
18 February 2021

2021 Tillage Conference Session Two
The 2021 National Tillage Conference takes place virtually, split over two days. The first session took place on Wednesday, 3rd February. The second session is on Wednesday, 17th February at 11.30 am. Details on how to register and information on the speakers and topics can be found here
15 February 2021

Environment Newsletter - February 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Environment team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Dates for your diary; Think before you plant a new hedge; Message from ASSAP - Don’t lose any fertiliser you spread; & Message from Signpost Programme - Now is the time for climate action.
13 February 2021

Forestry Workshops: A new forest – getting started
Connect with your local Teagasc forestry advisor by registering for three informal online workshops to learn about starting a new forest. From Monday 15 February through March, landowners can join their local one-hour online workshops with Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department to find out more
12 February 2021

Tillage Update - 11th February 2021
As many tillage farmers are preparing for the commencement of field work Teagasc tillage advisors took to the fields this week to assess the condition of winter crops for the first Teagasc tillage crop walk held on Zoom this week. Teagasc crops specialist Ciaran Collins reports from the event
11 February 2021

Be Winter-Ready
Although Spring is here we are still experiencing wintry weather with snow and hazardous conditions forecast for the coming days. It is with this in mind that Teagasc advises farmers to be 'winter-ready' and provides some useful tips for farming during severe weather conditions and advance planning
10 February 2021

Creating a farm plan that secures your future in farming
Sometimes in order to be successful, a business must reset – Bob McNair. Farmers are a resilient breed - they have faced many challenges over the last few years. Farmers who hope to improve their business must plan. Farm Management Specialist James McDonnell has some advice and guidance
06 February 2021

Increasing soil pH reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions
A new scientific paper from Teagasc shows that getting soil pH right through liming can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The AGEE published paper is from researchers at the Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land-Use Department in Johnstown Castle.
04 February 2021

2021 Tillage Conference
The 2021 National Tillage Conference takes place virtually, split over two days. The first session takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, 3rd February at 11.30 am and the second session is on Wednesday, 17th February. Details on how to register and information on the speakers and topics can be found below
02 February 2021

Planning and priming our soils for the year ahead
Over the last month weather conditions have reduced any opportunity in the fields to get some winter ploughing done. Soils are saturated. Wait until soils are dry enough before carrying out field operations such as ploughing, advises Mark Plunkett, Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist, Johnstown Castle
29 January 2021

Teagasc Online Slurry Spreader Calibration Calculator
Many farmers will use Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) methods such as a dribble bar, for the first time in place of the traditional splash plate. When using a new application method it's important to apply the slurry accurately as Francis Quigley, Teagasc Farm Machinery Specialist explains
29 January 2021

Maximising rotations – the Scottish experience
On this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Dr Cathy Hawes, from the James Hutton Institute near Dundee in Scotland, joins Michael Hennessy to discuss the Scottish experience of maximising rotations.
28 January 2021

Teagasc highlight Farm Diversification Opportunities
Farm Diversification is the establishment of a new enterprise on farm. It usually refers to a non-agricultural or novel enterprise. Many farmers and rural dwellers are interested in diversifying their farm enterprise. Teagasc has a suite of 79 Farm Diversification Factsheets and videos to help
21 January 2021

Achieving Maximum Utilisation of Forage Crops with Sheep
The key to improve utilisation of a forage crop is to choose the correct crop for your farm and farming system. Different crop species have different sowing times, utilisation periods and dry matter yield. Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor has the details
15 January 2021

Winter Malting Barley - a growing interest
There is a growing interest in winter malting barley in Ireland. Eoin Lyons, Teagasc /Boormalt Joint Programme Advisor, discusses the expansion of the crop. He takes us through the trial work and developments to date, the varieties grown and the future prospects of this "new to Ireland" crop
14 January 2021

The importance of taking a proper soil sample
The principle of soil analysis is to determine the average nutrient status of an area and to show the available nutrients in the soil. Once known you can then apply nutrients to bring your soils to optimum fertility. Martina Harrington, Teagasc Beef Specialist advises on proper soil sampling below
14 January 2021

Preventing Deaths with Slurry
The Slurry Spreading season commences in many parts of the Country after the 12th January. With 10% of deaths being slurry-related in the 10 year period to 2020, John McNamara and Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists discuss the dangers and prevention of deaths with slurry
11 January 2021

Complete the Profit Monitor now
Early January is a great time to reflect on the year gone by and prepare a Profit Monitor. The Profit Monitor will look at the financial performance of your business in detail. Specialist George Ramsbottom outlines the benefits and process.
11 January 2021

Getting farm safety culture right
In 2020 19 farm workplace deaths took place on Irish farms.This compares with an annual average of about 20 per year over the last decade. Farm workplace injuries are particularly associated with tractors and machinery, livestock, falls from heights and objects falling as John McNamara points out.
10 January 2021

Farmers are rapidly upskilling in Information Technology
Charlie Devaney Teagasc Advisor Roscommon, encourages all farmers not to be afraid of change, to embrace technology and discover the benefits of accessing information and meetings online. Farmers and advisors alike are adapting to IT which has been accelerated through the Covid-19 lock-downs.
10 January 2021