Dairy
Teagasc plans for new Apprenticeships
On Tuesday 25th May Teagasc gave a briefing note on it's Education and Training for the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Teagasc, as primary provider of accredited further education and training (FET) for the agricultural sector, details new apprenticeship pathway plans here
02 June 2021
Contract rearing – an alternative income opportunity?
With many drystock farmers looking for possible alternative income opportunities for their farms, contract heifer rearing has increasingly become an option and Teagasc advisor Tom Coll and specialist Gordon Peppard join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss what’s involved.
02 June 2021
How grass can be made into milk and cheese
On World Milk Day Teagasc Staff; Marion Beecher, Emer Kennedy, Eimear Ferguson and Margie Egan, are together addressing the questions you have about cows. How much does a cow eat and drink in a day? How much milk does a cow produce and what is the milk used for? More questions & more answers here...
01 June 2021
Too much grass can be a problem too!
As we are heading into a period where grass growth exceeds grass demand, dairy farmers will need to be extra vigilant that they don’t fall into the trap of grazing grass covers that are ‘gone too strong’. James Moyles, Teagasc Dairy Advisor, Co. Offaly has options for managing grass and quality here
28 May 2021
Agriculture and Water
Paula Browne, ASSAP Adviser, Teagasc Clare looks at ways to minimise losses of nutrients, sediment and pesticides to water from farming. A number of key considerations should be central to minimising any pollution potential to our watercourses and these are outlined here.
27 May 2021
Teagasc appoint Dr David Wall as Enterprise leader at Johnstown Castle
Dr David Wall has been appointed as the new enterprise leader at the Teagasc campus in Johnstown Castle. The enterprise leader role is to lead the management of the farms and estate in Teagasc Environment Research Centre to deliver the research programme, as part of the team led by Dr Karl Richards
27 May 2021
Could your Farm benefit from Alternative Fodder Crops?
In the next few months we will see farmers saving their winter feed. Grass growth last week from Pasturebase Ireland was 57kgDM/ha similar to the same week last year at 60kg DM/ha. Improvement is expected, however Keith Fahy, Athenry Advisor, looks at alternatives for farmers as a winter feed source
27 May 2021
Reviewing slaughter performance in Co. Kilkenny
Drafting cattle for slaughter when they are actually fit to kill is a key management component of successful calf-to-beef systems. At a fat score of 3+, the carcass weight potential of Holstein Friesian steers is maximised. Sean Cummins Teagasc Green Acres Advisor has detailed advice here
26 May 2021
Managing Margins with Nature in Mind
Thinking "outside the field" and managing the margins with nature in mind can contribute to the improvement of biodiversity on Irish farms. Aoife Leader, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, highlights some key actions that farmers can take to retain, maintain and enhance field margins for farmland biodiversity
26 May 2021
Slurry Storage, Have you enough?
The impact of dairy farming systems on the environment is of critical importance in gaining access to premium dairy markets that will return a good milk price to the farmer. Tom Curran, Regional Manager, Cork West and Tim Hyde, Environment Specialist, Teagasc discuss slurry storage as a key factor
25 May 2021
Improving your Financial Fitness can help manage tight margins
Having a good feel for the farm finances and what is happening on a farm or farm household is critical. This applies whether a farmer is expanding or just wants to ensure that they are in a good position to deal with whatever arises. Kevin Connolly, Teagasc Financial Management Specialist has advice
25 May 2021
Teagasc appoints new Organic Specialist
Teagasc has appointed Joe Kelleher as Organic Farming Specialist and he commences the new role today, Monday, 24 May 2021. He previously worked as a dairy advisor in the Limerick/Kerry advisory region. He joins Elaine Leavy as part of the national organic farming team in Teagasc
24 May 2021
Contract rearing male calves
Establishing a relationship based on trust and a good contract will benefit both owner and calf rearer. This is the advice of Gordon Peppard, Teagasc Collaborative Farming Specialist speaking about Contract rearing male calves.
24 May 2021
Results of Teagasc Protected Urea trial finds no residues
A new scientific paper was published in the past week with results from a trial on using protected Urea on the Teagasc farm at its Environment research centre, Johnstown castle. Irish farmers are being encouraged to switch from using CAN fertiliser to protected Urea, as part of reducing emissions
23 May 2021
Lowering the Carbon Footprint of Milk Production at Solohead Research Farm
Following rapid expansion there is an immense challenge to lower the environmental impact of dairy farming. At Solohead Research Farm we have designed and tested systems for lowering the carbon and ammonia footprints of milk production. James Humphreys, Researcher has details in a short video here
23 May 2021
Improvements in animal health, welfare and product quality
Join Teagasc researchers on three Research Insights Webinars where they will discuss strategies to improve animal welfare, reduce the use of antibiotics and anthelmintics and improve milk quality.
22 May 2021
Farmers are part of the solution - Biodiversity Day 2021
Saturday May 22nd 2021 is International Biodiversity Day. The theme for this year is: 'We're part of the solution'. We’re all part of nature, so we must be part of the solution for biodiversity loss and climate change. What actions can farmers take?
22 May 2021
Hitting Breeding Targets in the Dairy Herd
We are currently in the middle of the breeding season on most Irish dairy farms. Here Kevin O'Hara, Teagasc Ballinrobe, will look at some of the key targets that dairy farmers need to try and achieve over the coming weeks and look at how these targets will be achieved.
21 May 2021
Growing Maize Silage Considerations
Eighty percent of maize in Ireland is grown specifically for the production of maize silage and can be used as a winter feed in both dairy and beef production systems. While grass is the most popular winter feed, Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor outlines why maize silage might be worth considering
21 May 2021
"Bee kind" farming
Today is #WorldBeeDay and Teagasc encourages farmers to adopt "Bee kind" farming, to look at ways of improving habitats and enhance biodiversity to support wild bees on Irish farmland. In Ireland there are 77 solitary bee species, 21 bumble bee species and 1 honey bee species.
20 May 2021
Launch of The Signpost Programme
The Signpost Programme was launched on Tuesday, 18 May. Hosted by RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground presenter Helen Carroll, the online webinar demonstrated how the new Teagasc led collaborative programme will support Irish farmers in reducing emissions from agriculture. Catch up on all the highlights here
18 May 2021
Meet the Teagasc Signpost Team
The new Signpost Programme – Farmers for Climate Action, will be launched tomorrow Tuesday, 18 May. Today we meet the Signpost Programme team who will work with farmers, and the partner organisations to prompt climate action by all Irish farmers.
17 May 2021
Delaying silage cutting date will have negative effects on silage quality & quantity for dairying
Grass silage makes up about a quarter of the annual feed budget on the average dairy farm. With below average growth rates in late April/early May, James Dunne, Dairy Specialist Ballyhaise, answers the common question: “should silage cutting date be delayed to allow first cut yields to increase?”
17 May 2021
Heat Detection by Tail Painting
Heat detection is key to achieve your herd targets this breeding season. Most cows display signs of heat between the hours of 9pm and 7am so relying on observation alone to identify cows in heat could easily result in cows being missed. Tara Heaney, KT Walsh Scholar explains how tail painting helps
16 May 2021
The Teagasc Signpost Programme Launch
The official launch of The Teagasc Signpost Programme, a collaborative programme to lead climate action by Irish farmers and their transition towards more sustainable farming systems.
16 May 2021
Farming Tips for May
Emma Sherlock, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, Clonakilty Advisory picks out a few key management actions farmers should be taking on during the month of May. These include care of the replacement heifer & breeding targets, farm safety at silage making, grass & fertiliser update and flock health
15 May 2021
Plan a Safe Silage Season in 2021
The weather has been cold of late and that has delayed the silage season but as the season gets into ‘full swing’ attention to safety is critical at silage making. Plan a safe silage season is a key message from John McNamara and Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialists here
14 May 2021
Teagasc Green Acres Virtual Farm Walk with Jarlath and Austin Ruane
On Thursday 13th May, Jarlath and Austin Ruane, farmer participants of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme hosted a virtual event from their farm in Claremorris, Co. Mayo through the use of social media and video. You can watch back the footage here to gain an insight into their farm
13 May 2021
Why all the fuss about sulphur?
Sulphur (S) is an important nutrient for grassland production, and is closely associated with nitrogen uptake and efficiency. If there is a sulphur deficiency present it will decrease the nitrogen use efficiency and reduce yield. Martina Harrington Beef Specialist outlines the importance of Sulphur
12 May 2021
Slurry storage capacity and TAMS
Tom Fallon, Teagasc Farm Buildings & Infrastructure Specialist has tips for applying for TAMS grant aid for slurry storage here. He advises when building new facilities to look beyond meeting the minimum storage requirements as many farms require extra storage. He features a TAMS grant farm example
10 May 2021