Dairy
Long-term Land Leasing
Why are landowners considering Long-term Land Leasing? Gordon Peppard, Teagasc Collaborative Farming Specialist has the answer to this and lists the many benefits including enhanced tax relief incentives, advantages for the lessee, details on stamping the lease & valuable information you should know
03 February 2022
New Appointment to Teagasc Authority
Donald Scully has been appointed to the Teagasc Authority for a five-year term by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD. Donald Scully is a member of the ICMSA executive committee and is a dairy farmer from Cherryhill House, Ballyhyland, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
03 February 2022
Tillage Update - 3rd February 2022
One of the key elements of the sustainable use directive (SUD) is that sprayers must be tested and certified. A properly functioning sprayer is essential to get the best response from plant protection products (PPP’s) and to protect the environment. Ciaran Collins, Crops Specialist has more advice
03 February 2022
Teagasc celebrates World Wetlands Day 2022
The Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee invites you to celebrate World Wetlands day on the 2nd February. Mary Roache, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor & Teagasc representative on The Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee, reminds us that that farmers play a key role in the conservation and “wise use of wetlands”
02 February 2022
Somatic Cell Count (SCC) management in early lactation
Early identification of Somatic Cell Count (SCC) issues is important to being in control of SCC through lactation and especially as we head into the new era of selective dry cow therapy later this year. Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist explains how the California Mastitis Test (CMT) can help
01 February 2022
Colostrum - Liquid Gold
The provision of adequate colostrum in appropriate quantities is probably the single most effective means of keeping new born calves healthy and enables them to fight infection and disease. Séamus Nolan, Dairy Advisor Teagasc Castlerea explains the 123 rule of feeding colostrum and has good advice
31 January 2022
Three Reasons to use Protected Urea in 2022
Protected urea grows more grass in the long term. This is just one of three reasons why farmers should use Protected Urea in 2022. Mark Plunkett, Patrick Forrestal and Siobhán Kavanagh, Teagasc detail these and how to use it while Patrick Forrestal has tips on using protected urea in a video also
31 January 2022
Streamlining the spring workload in dairying
Monitor farmers are critical to demonstrate good farming practice to other dairy farmers in the region. Here Mark Treacy, features a profile of one monitor farm: The Buttimer family, who are dairy farming in Ballineen, Co. Cork. Mark outlines how labour is efficiently planned for the calving period
31 January 2022
Using pig slurry to save money makes more sense than ever
Pig slurry is now worth €48 per 1000 gallons. This double its normal value because fertiliser prices have never been so expensive. Using pig slurry can save you money - now more than ever before! Amy Quinn, Teagasc Pig Development Department has guidance for farmers importing pig slurry here
28 January 2022
Calf Rearing & Computerised Feeding
Irrespective of the calf feeding system adopting good hygiene practices especially for young calves will reduce calf rearing problems. For good results computerised calf feeders need to be properly managed. Tom Fallon, Teagasc Farm Buildings & Infrastructure Specialist outlines in detail here
27 January 2022
Teagasc Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign launched by Minister McConalogue
The Teagasc Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign 2022 has been launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD. This Teagasc initiative is in response to the unprecedented fertiliser prices, and potential supply availability concerns arising in Spring 2022
26 January 2022
GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme 2022 is open
On Friday, 21st January, the 2022 GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme opened for online applications. The scheme is open to GLAS farmers for the conservation of traditional farm outbuildings. It will close on 22nd February 2022. Find out more about what's involved here
25 January 2022
A successful Registered Farm Partnership in south Tipperary
Keeping the February 11 deadline in mind, Gordon Peppard Teagasc Collaborative Farming Specialist, meets organic farmers Pat and Angela Mulrooney embarking on a successful Registered Farm Partnership (RFP) with their son Mark, in south Tipperary
23 January 2022
Investigating agroforestry uptake on Irish farms
Forestry cover is substantially lower than the European average in Ireland with current afforestation rates remaining low. Rachel Irwin, Teagasc Walsh Scholar investigates Increasing tree cover on Irish dairy and drystock farms: the main barriers and perceptions that impede agroforestry uptake.
21 January 2022
Time to move if forming a Registered Farm Partnership
Registered Farm Partnership (RFP) is an excellent arrangement to bring a young person into the family farm business without having to immediately sign over the land. Keep an eye on the February 11 deadline. Gordon Peppard Teagasc Collaborative Farming Specialist has key advice
20 January 2022
Teagasc & NUI Galway partner new BSc Agricultural Science degree in the West
2021 saw the launch of a brand new BSc in Agricultural Science at the National University of Ireland Galway with a strong focus on Sustainable Agriculture. Teagasc and NUI Galway have announced a partnership to deliver on the huge demand for an Agricultural Degree programme in the West of Ireland.
20 January 2022
The importance of taking a proper soil sample
Your soil sample forms the basis of your decisions on where to apply slurry, FYM, lime and chemical forms of Phosphorous and Potassium on the farm. Martina Harrington, Teagasc Beef Specialist advises on how to take a representative soil sample and outlines the benefits of getting it right
19 January 2022
Growing Grass Using Less Nitrogen Fertiliser
This Thursday at 7pm join John Douglas and Joseph Dunphy, Teagasc Grass10 and Micheal O'Leary from PastureBase Ireland online, for advice on Getting the best response from what fertiliser you apply. David O'Leary, 2020 Young Grassland Farmer of the Year will talk about his system. Register here
18 January 2022
Evening milking time for 2022
Previous studies with dairy farm employees have found that hours worked on dairy farms can make employment unattractive, mainly due to evening finish time. Irish farms are competing with industries that typically offer a 5-6pm finish time. Martina Gormley, Dairy Specialist explores this topic here
17 January 2022
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter January 2022
In this month’s newsletter, Minister McConalogue explains the Climate Action Plan and what it means for Agriculture. We have our monthly climate actions, a video with timely advice for spring nutrient management for 2022 and an article on laying new hedges. We also provide 2 decision support tools
17 January 2022
Teagasc at BTYSTE: Milk production goes hi-tech
Have you ever wondered about the technology behind a simple glass of milk or slice of cheese? Milking a cow has come a long way from a bucket and a pair of hands. Teagasc researchers Catriona Boyle and Eimear Ferguson talk about the new technologies of dairy farming here
16 January 2022
Once a Day Milking Conference 2022
Once a Day Milking Conference 2022 took place virtually on Thursday, 6 January. The theme of this year’s online conference centered around the latest research about the impact of once a day milking on milk production and how to manage this effect.
15 January 2022
Plan your spring fertiliser applications
There are three areas of focus planning for 2022 which require careful planning: limiting the increase in expenditure in fertiliser, growing sufficient grass to feed animals and protecting the soil fertility on the farm for the future. Find out how and avoid waste with the advice outlined here.
15 January 2022
Working Safely with Slurry
With slurry season commencing in many parts of the country this week it is once again important to think about the dangers associated with handling slurry and to plan this work with safety in mind. John McNamara and Francis Bligh Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists advice caution with safety tips
15 January 2022
Cork Student wins Teagasc award at BTYSTE 2022 – Potential of nematodes to replace pesticides
Johannah Pigott, a Transition Year student from Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk, Co. Cork, is the winner of the Teagasc award at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2022 (BTYSTE). Johannah’s project looked at the potential of nematodes to replace chemical pesticides.
14 January 2022
Getting ready for calving
With calving underway or starting in the coming weeks on suckler farms, it can be a stressful time. What can you do in preparation to reduce stress at one of the busiest times of the year? Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist has some tips
13 January 2022
Teagasc at BTYSTE: Helping shape the future of farming
Teagasc is at the virtual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2022. Teagasc Researchers Catriona Boyle, Emma Dillon, Brian Moran & Trevor Donnellan tell us about the research work of Teagasc economists in compiling the National Farm Survey. You can visit the Teagasc stand here too
13 January 2022
Benefits of using Protected Urea in 2022
Protected urea is cheaper than CAN on a cost per kg of nitrogen basis, and, while it may appear slightly dearer than ordinary urea, it will give the same “effective N” as urea, at a 12.5% lower spreading rate. Niall Treanor, Advisor, Teagasc Ballinasloe, summarises the benefits to the grassland farm
12 January 2022
Dairy enterprise review and outlook
Based on data from Teagasc’s National Farm Survey unit, 2021 was a good year for dairying. George Ramsbottom, Dairy Specialist has the breakdown on the figures, and watch back on the Dairy Review and Outlook with Teagasc Researcher Emma Dillon, from Outlook 2022 - Economic Prospects for Agriculture
10 January 2022
Teagasc at BTYSTE: In the clover
Teagasc is at the virtual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2022. Teagasc Researchers Catriona Boyle and Deirdre Hennessy bring us this article on Clover research in Teagasc as part of the event this week. Find out about the Teagasc prize awarded and visit the Teagasc stand here
10 January 2022