Dairy
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
Reseeding - Getting it right
The main advantage of reseeding grassland is it increases both the quantity and quality of grass grown, by somewhere in the region of 20- 40%, mostly in spring and autumn. At the cost it must be done right. Michael Donoghue, Dairy Advisor, Teagasc Tuam, covers all of the additional benefits here
04 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
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
Teagasc launch new guide: Reducing lameness in Irish dairy herds
Reducing lameness on Irish dairy farms will result in a higher standard of cow welfare, which is crucial to maintain Ireland’s image as a producer of high quality sustainable dairy products; will also decrease the use of antimicrobials on dairy farms and result in many other benefits. Read more here
03 August 2022
Swards for the Future Grassland conference launched
Teagasc are organising and hosting an exciting two-day conference and workshop on Thursday, 8th & Friday, 9th of September 2022 to explore Resilient Swards for the Future. The event will take place at the Teagasc, Animal & Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork
03 August 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 2nd August 2022
The Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition 2022 has been launched! The Grass10 team bring us the details in this week's newsletter. Also get the regular PBI dairy & beef figures, grass growth predictions, Grass10 Weekly Checklist & tips, Grass10 Featured Farmer, Clover reporter and more here
03 August 2022
Johnstown Castle Winter Milk Herd – Dry Cow Management
Ensuring autumn calving cows are in the correct condition for calving down will significantly reduce the risks of metabolic disorders and the increased workload and loss of production that goes with it. Dairy Specialist James Dunne outlines the dry cow practices in the Johnstown Castle research herd
01 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
Dairy Start-up Farm in Ballindine, Co. Mayo
Donal Ronayne and his uncle Liam Trench started milking 205 heifers in 2021. Historically the farm was a suckler to beef enterprise. The conversion to dairying started in 2019 and a Farm Partnership was set-up. Donal Kelly, Dairy Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris talks about this great change on the farm
30 July 2022
Cliona Beirne - Green Cert experience
“What I loved about being in college was that you would be learning about measuring grass in the morning and you would be in the field in the afternoon putting it into practice" says Cliona Beirne about the Teagasc Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Herd Mgt) at Mountbellew College
28 July 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 26th July 2022
The Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition 2022 has been launched! The Grass10 team bring us the details in this week's newsletter. Also get the regular PBI dairy & beef figures, grass growth predictions, Grass10 Weekly Checklist & tips, Grass10 Featured Farmer, Clover reporter and more here
27 July 2022
Using TAMS to improve Farm Sustainability
Séamus Nolan, Dairy Advisor, Teagasc Castlerea, discusses using TAMS to improve farm sustainability. Séamus outlines a sample of eligible investments under TAMS which benefit both the farmer and the environment. If considering applying for a TAMS grant consult your Teagasc advisor. Read more here
27 July 2022
Addressing lameness on the dairy farm
One of the hidden costs when it comes to milking cows is lameness. Also, lameness is a repeat offender problem. Mark O’Sullivan, Business & Technology Dairy advisor at Teagasc Clonakilty discusses the causes but more importantly the steps to take to correct and prevent lameness in dairy cows
26 July 2022
Maria Keane - Green Cert experience
“The Green Cert gives you a great foundation in agriculture,” says Maria about the Teagasc distance Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming course, which she completed at Gurteen College. Maria talks about her distance "Green Cert" course which she found flexible and accommodating
26 July 2022
Approaching Deadline for Fodder Support Scheme 2022
The deadline for submission of applications for the Fodder Support Scheme is Tuesday August 2nd 2022. It is important that all eligible farmers apply even though the maximum payment of €1,000 per applicant may look small to some. Matt O’Sullivan Teagasc Advisor, Killarney has the details here
26 July 2022
Newford Update -TB testing, Cattle weights & heifer replacements arrival
Michael Fagan, Technician at Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm, Athenry has the latest Newford report including a setback from TB testing, Cattle weights for beef bullocks & heifers, 2022-born heifer replacements arrive on-farm and Progressive Young Farmers visit Newford. Read all on Teagasc Daily
25 July 2022
Dave Moloney - Green Cert student experience
“My only regret is that I didn’t do it years ago!” says Dave Moloney, Co Cork about the Teagasc part-time Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming course, which he completed at Teagasc Macroom. Dave, who won 2021 Teagasc Student of the Year Competition, talks about his "Green Cert" course
25 July 2022
Teagasc PhD Walsh Scholarship Opportunity on Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, most commonly caused by bacterial infection. Teagasc Researcher Dr. Pablo Silva Boloña has full details here of a Teagasc PhD Walsh Scholarship opportunity at Teagasc Moorepark, on mastitis. Closing date for applications is 31st August 2022
25 July 2022
Grass margins a simple but effective environmental measure!
Grass margins are strips of untouched vegetation around field boundaries. These margins are typically fenced off and left alone to provide habitat cover and food for flora and fauna to thrive in. Why do we need grass margins? And are they effective? Eanna Loughrey, Teagasc Ballinrobe has answers
23 July 2022
Enhanced rates for Organic Farmers
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett recently announced proposed new enhanced rates for farmers participating in the Organic farming scheme. These are subject to approval by the European Commission.
23 July 2022
Fatal Farm Incidents in Ireland 2008 – 2021
As farm safety week draws to a close today, Teagasc Staff Dr David Meredith, Rural Economy Development Programme (REDP), Dr John McNamara, Health & Safety Specialist and Dr Mohammad Mohammadrezaei, REDP, show us the statistics on Fatal Farm Incidents in Ireland 2008 – 2021 to raise safety awareness
22 July 2022
Promoting Positive Mental Health among Farmers
Mental Health Awareness is today's Farm Safety Week theme. Farmers live in constantly changing times with possibilities of farming problems and many issues that can cause stress and associated mental health challenges. John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist discusses managing stress here
22 July 2022
Quitting smoking success - A Farmer study
Farmers have been identified as a high-risk group for cancer mortality compared to other occupational groups. Cancers of the lungs and respiratory tract are major killers and are particularly associated with smoking tobacco. John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist informs us of more here
21 July 2022