Environment

Angus calf five-point sustainable production plan - from Croke Park to the Ploughing
In the quest for more sustainable beef production, four students from the Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan, Westmeath have developed a five-point sustainable farm plan in combination with rearing Angus animals.
22 May 2023

Improving the biodiversity value of your forest
Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer talks about how to improve the biodiversity value of your forest. He advises on how to keep browsing animals out, create/leave deadwood and more.
22 May 2023

Improving biodiversity on farm
Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, tells you how you can improve biodiversity on your farm.
21 May 2023

How can we help bees?
Today is World Bee Day! The purpose of the international day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem.
20 May 2023

How farmers can support biodiversity
National Biodiversity Week Ireland 2023 takes place 19th – 28th May. National Biodiversity Week is all about connecting people with nature and communicating the importance of biodiversity.
19 May 2023

Signpost Series: Gaseous emissions and soil science update from the Agricultural Catchments Programme
On this episode of the Signpost Series, Andy Boland, Teagasc Environment Specialist, was joined by Dr. Bridget Lynch and Dr. Ognjen Zurovec to discuss Agricultural Catchments Programme - gaseous emissions and soil science.
19 May 2023

Watch: Using VESS for the visual examination of soils
Visual Soil Examination and Evaluation (VSEE) techniques are procedures for visually and tactilely evaluating soil structure.
18 May 2023

The soil is alive and willing to help
Farming has come a long way in the last 50 years, with huge improvements in how we grow our crops and rear our animals. Cathal Somers, ASSAP Advisor, Waterford, tells us more on the importance of soil health.
15 May 2023

How to minimise nitrate loss in farming to help improve water quality
On this week’s episode of the Dairy Edge, Edward Burgess, Agricultural Catchments Specialist, talks about minimising nitrate loss in farming to help improve water quality.
12 May 2023

Nitrogen uptake by catch crops and catch crop uptake by farmers
Catch crops, also known as cover crops or green manure, are a valuable tool for protecting soil health and water quality, explains Dr. Bridget Lynch, Senior Researcher Officer in the Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme.
11 May 2023

Using satellite data to monitor soil moisture on the Agricultural Catchments Programme
In Ireland, we are more familiar with soil moisture deficit (SMD) rather than volumetric soil moisture content (VSMC), but both are measuring the amount of water in the soil using different concepts.
11 May 2023

Optimising carbon storage of peat key focus of workshop
Sixty participants attended the first day of the ‘Grassland Peat Agriculture Workshop’, which was hosted by the new Teagasc Climate Centre and the ReWet (Teagasc and University of Galway) project at Gurteen College in Tipperary today, Wednesday, May 10th.
10 May 2023

Water quality trends and manure management central topics of upcoming open day
The Agricultural Catchments Programme will host a major open day in Timoleague, Co. Cork, on Friday, May 12th.
10 May 2023

Water quality investigates - the sub-catchment approach
Traditionally research into stream water quality has be carried out on large scales, such as at regional scales.
10 May 2023

The seasonality of nitrate loss to rivers throughout the year
Recent changes to regulations under the Nitrates Action Plan have reduced the amount of chemical nitrogen (N) allowed on grassland, and 'banding' of dairy cows has reduced stocking rates allowed on many farms.
09 May 2023

Signpost Series - water quality trends from the Agricultural Catchments Programme
On this episode of the Signpost Series which took place on Friday, 5 May, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Dr Per-Erik Mellander and Jason Galloway, Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP), to discuss water quality trends.
09 May 2023

4th Catchment Science Conference launched
Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are delighted to launch Catchment Science 2023, an international conference taking place later this year.
08 May 2023

What farmers really think about the latest Nitrates Action Programme
With the new measures introduced to the fifth Nitrates Action Programme this year, do farmers feel the actions will benefit their farm and water quality?
08 May 2023

Introducing AgNav - putting climate action planning back in farmers’ hands
AgNav is a new sustainability toolkit being jointly developed by Teagasc, ICBF and Bord Bia - with the support of the Department of Agriculture - that provides farmers with accurate and verifiable data to support decision making on farm to help meet agriculture’s Climate Action
08 May 2023

Agriculture’s role in biomethane production
Biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas made from farm and food waste, which is produced through anaerobic digestion (AD).
06 May 2023

An introduction to Agricultural Catchments week and the Timoleague open day
The Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) is running a dedicated week of activities showcasing its research and advisory programme from Friday May 5th to Friday May 12th. Its theme is ‘A Living Lab Monitoring Water Quality and Gaseous Emissions.’
04 May 2023

Signpost Series - ABP's sustainability story
On this episode of the Signpost Series, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department, was joined by Stephen Connolly, ABP Agri Sustainability Manager, to give an insight into ABP's sustainability story.
03 May 2023

4.5m tonnes of lime sought under National Liming Programme
Farmers have shown huge interest in the new National Liming Programme, with 4.5m tonnes sought by 41,000 farmers before the programme’s deadline on 20th April.
02 May 2023

Why you must use less bagged nitrogen
Farmers are being tasked with reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but what steps can be taken at farm level to achieve this?
30 April 2023

Growing Wild: Dandelions and cowslips
Now is the time to look out for Dandelions and Cowslips, according to Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, who takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity.
29 April 2023

Coastal nature project launched on World Curlew Day
A project that will restore some of Europe’s most unique coastal habitats and also protect vulnerable breeding waders, such as the Curlew, was launched on World Curlew Day 2023, April 21st.
25 April 2023

Summer decisions affect winter performance on organic farms
Although the differences between organic and conventional farming are numerous, one key aspect is central to both – the importance of silage quality.
23 April 2023

Hydropower on farms - going with the flow
Fiacc O’Brolchain, Hydropower Engineer Specialist, spoke to Teagasc's Barry Caslin about the option to generate electricity from hydro on farms.
21 April 2023

Teagasc Signpost Advisory Programme open to participants
Most of the actions you are being asked to implement to reduce emissions will also reduce costs, improve animal performance and increase farm profitability. It’s a win-win for your farm.
20 April 2023

Deadline for National Liming Programme applications fast approaching
The National Liming Programme, a scheme which incentivises farmers to purchase and spread ground limestone in order to maintain soil fertility, will close for applications this week.
19 April 2023