Dairy
Food safety in Dairy Environments
The presence of foodborne pathogens in dairy products is a result of contamination from biofilms present in the food processing environment. Researchers are identifying the bacteria present in dairy processing environments to evaluate their impact on the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.
29 August 2022
ACRES Hedge Actions - Hedgerow Week 2022
There are three hedge actions in the new agri environment scheme ACRES: coppicing, laying & planting hedges. It is important to understand what is involved in each action and the ongoing work required during the next five years. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist has details
29 August 2022
Let's Talk Dairy - Update on Grass Supply
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 18th August, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist gives an update on grass supply on farms using data available from PastureBase Ireland.
29 August 2022
Farmers are reducing fertiliser N use
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have just released their Fertiliser Sales data for the first three quarters of the current year. Here Seamus Kearney and Tom O'Dwyer from the Signpost programme examine the data
28 August 2022
Swards for the Future Conference & Workshop
Swards for the Future Conference & Workshop takes place at Teagasc Moorepark, Co. Cork on 8 & 9 September. It is an important and informative conference for anyone involved in the grassland industry including industry partners, farmers, co-op representatives, advisors and researchers.
27 August 2022
TResearch Autumn 2022
TResearch is an official science publication of Teagasc. It aims to disseminate the results of the organisation’s research to a broad audience. Clearing the air - Reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the agriculture sector is a priority for our researchers
27 August 2022
Johnstown Castle Open Day - Technologies for Today & Tomorrow
Join us in Johnstown Castle, the home of agricultural research in Co. Wexford for their open day on Tuesday next August 30th. On the day the Teagasc team will present farming technologies for today and tomorrow. Gates open at 10am.
26 August 2022
Grassland Farmer of the Year Drystock - Aidan Maguire Farm Walk
Join the Teagasc Grass10 team along with the Teagasc DairyBeef500 team on the evening of 31 August at 6.30pm on the farm of Aidan Maguire, Navan, Co. Meath. Aidan is the 2021 Grassland Farmer of the Year in the Drystock Enterprise Category.
26 August 2022
How will your acres score?
You can help address the challenges to our water, climate and biodiversity by joining ACRES (AgriClimate Rural Environment Scheme). Catherine Keena Environment specialist, Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme takes us through the Results-based payments system of ACRES
25 August 2022
Hedgerow Week 2022 - "Best Practice Hedge Cutting"
Hedgerow Week 2022 takes place from Friday, 26th August – Friday 2nd September, to coincide with the opening of the hedge cutting season on 1 September. The theme of Hedgerow Week 2022 is 'Best Practice Hedge Cutting' and consists of a series of public in person and virtual events. Find out more
25 August 2022
Soil fertility declining on Irish dairy farms
In 2021 Teagasc analysed 30,082 grassland soil samples, of which 21,049 were taken on dairy farms. We see that soil fertility declined on dairy farms for the second consecutive year. Here is a summary of the main changes for soil pH, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in 2021 on dairy farms
25 August 2022
Enter the 2022 Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition!
There is still time to enter this year’s Grassland Farmer of the Year competition, which recognises and acknowledges those dairy, beef and sheep farmers who are achieving high levels of grass utilisation in a sustainable manner. There is a new organic category in 2022. Closing date: 16 September.
24 August 2022
DairyBeef500 walks commence this autumn
Following on the highly successful Green Acres, the recently launched DairyBeef500 Campaign which aims to promote and demonstrate socially, environmentally and financially sustainable dairy-beef systems, sees the first of its on farm walks begin this autumn. Tommy Cox, DairyBeef500 advisor reports
24 August 2022
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
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
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
Linking Biodiversity & Heritage on Teagasc Glanbia Signpost Future Farms
Irish Farmers work alongside historical features on a daily basis incorporating their protection into the management of their farms. In Heritage Week Aoife Leader, Teagasc/UCD Walsh Scholar, outlines how history and biodiversity are maintained and enhanced by Teagasc-Glanbia Signpost Future Farms
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
12 Steps for Dairy farmers to Reduce Gaseous Emissions
The Signpost Programme led by Teagasc, is a multi-annual campaign to lead climate action by all Irish farmers. The latest output from this programme is a guide outlining 12 Steps for Dairy farmers to take to reduce Gaseous Emissions on their farms.
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
Lessons in attracting and retaining dairy farm workers
Flexible hours and good working conditions are key to attracting and retaining staff says Martina Gormley Teagasc Dairy Specialist,
Athenry. Martina takes a look outside of agriculture to see what other businesses are doing to meet this challenge. Eugene and Dymphna Sharkey, share their tips here
15 August 2022
The Production of Ice Cream
Since the turn of the century and the development of the ice cream cone, the worldwide growth in consumption has been phenomenal, with over 12 billion litres of ice cream consumed each year in the USA and China alone. The Teagasc Food Industry Development Department has more information
13 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