Environment
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
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Kevin O’Connell, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the Environment Edge podcast for a festive chat about the origin of the Christmas tree and its management.
15 December 2024
Enhancing biodiversity - Ken Gill’s approach
Operating an organic suckler system in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly, Ken Gill was crowned the winner of the Enhancing Biodiversity category of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024.
13 December 2024
Early insights point to reductions in river nitrogen concentrations
A new report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided early insights into the nitrogen concentrations in 20 major rivers across Ireland from January to June 2024.
12 December 2024
Plantain Power: Reducing Nitrate Leaching in Pasture Systems
A recent study from Teagasc has found that the incorporation of ribwort plantain into pasture can reduce nitrate leaching across a range of Irish soils.
08 December 2024
Practice change required to improve water quality
All sectors of Irish agriculture will have to implement practice change to achieve the desired improvements in Ireland’s water quality status, Director of Research in Teagasc, Professor Pat Dillon told a packed house at the Teagasc National Dairy Conference in Limerick on November 27.
04 December 2024
Next generation considerations a catalyst for climate action on Signpost farms
The climate knowledge, mind-set, attitudes and beliefs of Signpost Farmers toward climate action technologies and climate change were recently assessed. The results of this survey generated some interesting results.
02 December 2024
Hedgerows and carbon storage
From a carbon storage perspective, the removal of hedgerows is one of the worst actions farmers can undertake on their farms.
30 November 2024
Water quality actions in motion in Limerick
Limerick dairy farmer, Martin Crowe was crowned the winner of the Improving Water Quality category of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024. Dr Siobhán Kavanagh, Signpost Programme Communications and Engagement Specialist, takes a closer look at the actions being taken on his farm
29 November 2024
Adapting to climate change: More grass and more management
Ireland’s changing climate and the potential impacts it may have on grassland and crop production systems were discussed by Dr. Elodie Ruelle, Senior Research Officer in Teagasc Moorepark, at the recent convening of the Teagasc Signpost Conference and General Assembly.
26 November 2024
Livestock’s role in successful upland systems
The integral role livestock play in the successful management of upland areas was explored at the recent Uplands Symposium, an event jointly organised by Teagasc and CAFRE.
26 November 2024