Environment

Valuing slurry – the importance of testing
Organic manures such as slurry are a very valuable resource. Not only can they boost soil fertility, but when used effectively, they can allow for considerable savings on chemical fertiliser spend.
18 February 2025

From the ground up: ten years of SIS
Ten years ago, the Irish Soils Information System (SIS) was launched. Senior Research Officer Réamonn Fealy reviews its historical context, development and usage – and considers emerging demands for soil data and how these may be met by technology.
15 February 2025

Noel Meehan appointed as Head of Teagasc Water Quality Knowledge Transfer Department
Teagasc has appointed Noel Meehan as Head of its Water Quality Knowledge Transfer Department. The appointment was approved by the Teagasc Authority at its recent meeting.
11 February 2025
Clover and soil fertility on a Golden Vale dairy farm
Farming in the heart of the Golden Vale, Edwin Thompson and his family milk 160 cows on 86 ha near Golden, Co. Tipperary. Liam Quinn, Teagasc Signpost Programme Adviser, explores how Edwin’s focus on clover, soil fertility, and smart nutrient management is cutting emissions and boosting productivity
09 February 2025

All-round soil health is key to reducing farm emissions
Soil fertility management is helping to deliver emission reduction targets, a primary goal of the Teagasc Signpost farms programme, Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil Specialist, tells us more.
08 February 2025

Don’t mine away valuable soil fertility levels
Getting the soil fertility basics right, such as optimising soil pH and applying phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in a balanced programme, is a key part of all economically and environmentally sustainable production systems, writes Veronica Nyhan, Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist.
06 February 2025

LESS is the Law: Adapting to Ireland's New Slurry Spreading Regulations
The introduction of new rules around slurry spreading in Ireland will lead to big changes in the way slurry is spread on many farms. Richard Gill tells us more.
02 February 2025

A celebration of our wetlands
World Wetlands Day will take place tomorrow, February 2. In this article, Environment Specialist at Teagasc, Ivan Kelly shares details of the importance of wetlands, the key wetlands present in Ireland, and activities planned as part of this awareness raising day.
01 February 2025

Why Protected Urea?
From reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with fertiliser use to being a proven and cost-effective solution, Signpost Programme Training and Development Specialist, Mark Plunkett outlines why protected urea should be on every fertiliser shopping list this year.
28 January 2025

Slurry is a valuable nutrient - use it correctly
Farmers can protect water quality, maximise nutrient efficiency and save money on chemical fertilisers when slurry is applied following best practice.
23 January 2025

Fertiliser planning: How did protected urea perform in 2024?
As the permitted period for chemical fertiliser applications is fast approaching, some farmers may be planning their fertiliser use for the year ahead. In this article, Dr. Brian McCarthy and Dr. Áine Murray, Teagasc Moorepark, reflect on the performance of protected urea (urea + NBPT) in 2024.
22 January 2025

New rules on recording slurry movements come into play
Farmers exporting slurry or other organic manures need to be aware that new rules in regard to the recording of movements have come into effect since January 1, 2025.
21 January 2025

Dr. Karen Daly appointed as Head of Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land Use Research Department
Dr. Karen Daly has been appointed as Head of the Environment, Soils and Land Use (ESLU) Research Department in Teagasc, based in Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.
20 January 2025

Listen: Two young farmers on their hopes for 2025
We continue our chat with young farmers, Karen Delaney and David Melody, who join us to reflect on 2024 and their hopes for 2025.
20 January 2025

2025 Teagasc / FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards launched
The Teagasc / FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards for 2025 were launched this week by Teagasc, with generous support from FBD.
17 January 2025

Teagasc and ClieNFarms Launch Micro-Learning Campaign on LESS
Teagasc, in collaboration with ClieNFarms and its partners, is developing ‘micro-learnings’ - which are quick online training sessions, taking no more than 10 minutes designed for farmers, advisors, and students. The first module focuses on LESS.
16 January 2025

Focus on ground conditions and weather before spreading slurry
With farmers in Zone A now permitted to spread slurry, ASSAP Programme Manager, Noel Meehan shares key advice on how best to maximise the use of slurry for growing crops, and minimise its impact on the environment.
14 January 2025
Creating resilient upland farming systems
In recent months, Teagasc, in partnership with Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE IP, has developed innovative pilot projects aimed at enhancing upland farming in Sligo, Donegal, and Galway, Environment Specialist at Teagasc, Ivan Kelly tells us more.
13 January 2025

Do the challenges outweigh the positives in farming today and what motivates farmers to keep going?
Karen Delaney and David Melody, two young farmers, join us on a recent episode of the Environment Edge Podcast to reflect on 2024 and plan for 2025.
12 January 2025

Keep an eye on your ACRES Plan
Now is the time to review your ACRES plan and ensure all actions are on track. Austin Callaghan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris, highlights key planting actions like hedgerows, trees, and orchards, ensuring compliance and avoiding payment loss.
11 January 2025

Research funding for technologies to reduce and account for GHG emissions
As part of the Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Initiative (JRI), €5.2 million in funding has been granted to research projects aimed at developing new technologies to reduce and account for agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
06 January 2025

Soils samples, can you afford not to take them?
Kevin O’Hara, Drystock Advisor, highlights the importance of soil sampling and nutrient management plans for farmers to comply with fertiliser regulations.
03 January 2025

Water Quality is an issue too important to ignore
Sinéad Devaney, ASSAP Advisor, highlights the crucial role of farming in meeting Ireland’s water quality goals under the Water Framework Directive.
30 December 2024

Signpost dairy farmer seeing the benefits of solar installation
Richard Starrett, a dairy farmer participating in the Teagasc Signpost Programme, has returned to the market and installed a second batch of solar panels on his farm. In this article, he shares his reasons why.
28 December 2024

Weather Trends Over the Past 60 Years
At the Signpost Conference 2024, Mary Curley, Ciara Ryan, and Barry Coonan from Met Éireann discussed the latest insights on Ireland’s climate, revealing key trends in temperature, rainfall and sunshine.
24 December 2024
A noble of the wood - plant a holly for the future
Is holly brightening your home this Christmas? Have you considered planting this noble of the wood? In this article, Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, explores the many benefits holly trees bring to our landscapes and biodiversity.
22 December 2024

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly
Do you know the origin of holly and its many traditions? Kevin O’Connell, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, tells us all about the traditions and myths around the holly tree, from Roman times to pagans and druids.
20 December 2024

Farmer-focussed Biodiversity and Agricultural Knowledge Network
January 2025 sees the launch of the Farmer-focussed Biodiversity and agricultural knowledge Network (FarmBioNet) Project.
19 December 2024

Fertiliser use changes, impacts and key recommendations
Mark Plunkett and Dr. Siobhán Kavanagh, Teagasc Signpost Programme, take a closer look at how fertiliser use changed on farms over 2024, examine the possible environmental impacts and share a number of key recommendations for the year ahead.
19 December 2024
Minding the soil for the next generation
Next generation considerations are never too far from James O’Keeffe’s mind, an organic tillage farmer from Crossakiel, Co. Meath who was crowned the winner of the Improving Soil Health Category of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024.
19 December 2024