Teagasc Daily
02 June 2020
Sulphur: deficiency, potential to boost growth and advice
There is potential for Sulphur (S) to boost grassland yields. There is onging research in Johnstown Castle on how to optimise this potential. Patrick Forrestal, Claire Aspel and Mark Plunkett have more information and some advice regarding silage and grazing
01 June 2020
What is in dairy processing wastewater sludge (DPS)?
Very little is known about the volumes dairy processing sludge (DPS) produced, the types of DPS and their nutrient and metal profile. Johnstown Castle Environment researchers S.M. Ashekuzzaman & O. Fenton are doing some research.
31 May 2020
Webinar - Low Carbon Dairy Farming
The ninth in a series of Greenhouse Gas Webinars aimed at Irish Agri Professionals, which took place on Friday, 29th May. James Humphreys, Teagasc Livestock Systems Researcher discussed "Low Carbon Dairy Farming".
31 May 2020
Improved understanding of soil biology to reduce GHG emissions
Soil microbes are the key drivers of N transformations. Their activity determines to a large extent whether N is retained in a plant available form within soil, or lost to either air or water.
30 May 2020
Optimal soil phosphorus reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Environment research in Johnstown Castle investigated the effect of long term P fertilisation on emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide in a number of experiments.
29 May 2020
Phosphorus Use on Peat Soils
Peat soils behave differently to mineral soils for certain nutrients such as phosphorous. What is the best approach to take to ensure fertiliser P applications get utilised by the grass or crop?
28 May 2020
Reducing the environmental hoof print in dairy, beef and sheep
What is the latest research into reducing livestock emissions? Donagh Berry quantitative geneticist and director of VistaMilk gives more some information.
27 May 2020
Chemistry without chemicals? - Can we use light to measure lime requirement in soil?
There are a number of methods to measure the lime requirement in soil. Many of these need chemical reagents, and extraction or titrations to be carried out. An alternative using no chemicals is spectroscopy or ‘green chemistry’
26 May 2020
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Soil pH - What is it and how do we measure it?
Soil pH is a measure of hydrogen ion (H+) activity in the soil solution. Maintaining the soil pH at the optimum level increases the microbiological activity of the soil and results in better soil nutrient recycling/availability
23 May 2020
What is in Farm Roadway Runoff?
Roadway Runoff contents within 100 m of the farmyard or where roadway configuration or quality impedes cow movement along the network are not dissimilar to dilute slurry or dairy soiled water.
22 May 2020
Use of Protected Urea - Webinar
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Training Webinar with David Wall and Patrick Forrestal who focused on the Use of Protected Urea.
22 May 2020
Teagasc celebrating International Day for Biological Diversity
Friday 22 May is the United Nations International Day for biological Diversity. Farming in a sustainable manner is essential to maintain biodiversity in farmed habitats
20 May 2020
Teagasc ask farmers to be ‘bee friendly’
Bees need flowers and on World Bee Day, Teagasc reminds farmers to allow space for common wildflowers to grow and flower on farms. A diversity of common flowering plants is needed in hedgerows, field margins, field corners, along farm roadways and around farmyards.
20 May 2020
Why monitor water quality so often?
The Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) has been monitoring water quality in the river outlets of six catchments every 10 minutes for over 10 years. Per-Erik Mellander and the Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) team tell us more.
19 May 2020
Weather Impacts on the Agricultural Catchments Programme
We are all well aware that our weather and climate have a major influence on agricultural production. The Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) have been studying the influence of agriculture on water quality for over ten years in six small intensively farmed areas.
17 May 2020
Wild Bird Cover providing a giant bird-table
The purpose of growing wild bird cover crops is to provide seed for birds during the winter when demand is highest. Catherine Keena, Countryside Management Specialist, Teagasc tells us more.
17 May 2020
Reducing Slurry Emissions Webinar
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Training Webinar with Mark Plunkett and David Wall who focused on Reducing Slurry Emissions.
15 May 2020
Sustainable Use of Grassland Herbicides
It is essential for farmers to take great care and follow best practice procedures when using pesticides, in particular applying grassland herbicides. Kieran Kenny, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor tells us more.
14 May 2020
Advisory service to work with farmers to help improve water quality
In Ireland all water policy and management is led by the Water Framework Directive. Under this directive Ireland has been set a target of achieving ‘good status’ for all waters in Ireland. Noel Meehan gives information on an advisory service for farmers.
12 May 2020
Sustainable Dairy: The role of white clover
Teagasc Moorepark has quantified the potential of white clover to improve the sustainability of milk production. It poses a promising environmental impact mitigation measure for pasture-based dairy systems.
11 May 2020
Water quality: the role of sediment
Excessive sediment can significantly impact the condition of freshwater habitats, resulting in a deterioration of water quality. It can have a greater impact than more standard pollutants such as phosphorus and nitrogen
10 May 2020
Maintaining the Derogation - Webinar
Guest speaker Jack Nolan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) discussed maintaining the Derogation – the changes we need to see for a credible case.
09 May 2020
Soils - the multifunctional resource
Soil is no longer considered only the media for food production. It is also a resource for a range of ecosystem services including nutrient cycling; carbon sequestration and climate regulation; water purification; and a habitat for biodiversity. Giulia Bondi and Lilian OSullivan tells us more
06 May 2020
Agricultural nitrous oxide emissions: How animal excreta and fertiliser management fit together
Agriculture produces 90% of N2O in Ireland, mainly through synthetic fertilisers, animal excreta and slurry. All these materials contain nitrogen (N), and part of this N is lost to the atmosphere as a result of agricultural activities. Dominika Krol, Teagasc Johnstown Castle tells us more.
29 April 2020
What happens to your soil sample when it comes into a lab?
Soil is a major source of nutrients needed by plants for growth. How is the soil sample sent into a lab tested for the three main nutrients NP & K.
26 April 2020
Steps to improve land drainage capacity
ENVIRONMENT: Drainage systems need to be maintained. A maintenance plan should be put in place for both in-field and open drains, focusing on areas susceptible to blockages.
24 April 2020
Protected Urea – why now?
ENVIRONMENT: Teagasc research has shown that protected urea nitrogen fertiliser offers the single largest emission reduction potential to Irish farmers.
21 April 2020
Soil Spectroscopy at Teagasc Johnstown Castle
ENVIRONMENT: Spectroscopy is an analytical technique that uses light to analyse a sample. Johnstown castle use the interaction of light with soil to give useful information
21 April 2020
Silage Pit and Effluent Management
ENVIRONMENT: Does your silage pit and silage effluent collection and storage facilities meet the standards required by the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFM)?
19 April 2020
Reducing carbon footprint of agriculture
ENVIRONMENT: How can Irish agriculture reduce its carbon emissions – Donal O’Brien gives information on Improving efficiencies, low emission technology and carbon sequestration
17 April 2020
Lower GHG emissions from urine and dung patches than previously thought
ENVIRONMENT: A recent project measured N2O from urine and dung in spring, summer and autumn on well-drained, moderately-drained and imperfectly-drained pasture soils - Dominika Krol tells us more.
15 April 2020
Fertiliser Advice for Grass Establishment
GRASSLAND: Mark Plunkett specialist in soil and plant nutrition gives some timely advice on soil testing and fertiliser use for grass establishment.
15 April 2020
Spreading the benefits – Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS)
ENVIRONMENT: The typical value of 1,000 gallons of cattle slurry applied by low emission slurry spreading (LESS) method in springtime has an available N-P-K content equivalent to a 50 kg bag of 9-5-32.
12 April 2020
New Hedgerow Planting on Teagasc Farms
ENVIRONMENT: The majority of Teagasc farms exceed average of approximately 7% of habitats on intensive farms in Ireland. There are opportunities to increase the quantity.
09 April 2020
Buffer Strips for Fertiliser Applications - Chemical and Organic
ENVIRONMENT: Farmers must abide by good practice regulations when applying fertilisers. The farmer must also know the relevant buffer zones.A buffer zone is a no spread area which is used for the protection of water against pollution.
08 April 2020
Timely Soil Quality Tips
ENVIRONMENT: Fertiliser nutrients are routinely applied by farmers to achieve high crop yields. The management of soil structural quality is potentially more important. Lilian O’Sullivan and Giulia Bondi have some timely advice
06 April 2020
Grassland re-seeding: how to establish multi-species sward
ENVIRONMENT: There is a lot of interest in multi-species swards at the moment. Guylain Grange from Johnstown Castle research centre gives information and advice for those wanting to sow them.
26 March 2020
Derogation Review Changes - Improving environmental outcomes
ENVIRONMENT: If you are one of the 7,000 derogation applicants in 2020 there are eight changes that affect you. You will need to discuss the changes with your Agri-Advisor and put a plan in place to meet these requirements in 2020 and beyond.