Environment
Lowering the Carbon Footprint of Pasture-based Milk Production
Dairy farms account for approximately 20% of agricultural land use & approximately 15% of national greenhouse gas emissions. James Humphreys, Daniel Barrett, Marion Sorley & Owen Cashman of Teagasc, Moorepark summarise their research on Lowering the Carbon Footprint of Pasture-based Milk Production
11 September 2022
Farm Carbon - Hedgerow Management for Carbon & Biodiversity
Lilian O’Sullivan, Gary Lanigan, Daire Ó hUallacháin, Shiva RahimiTana, Mark Ward, Ian Kavanagh, all Teagasc Researchers at Johnstown Castle, together with Kevin Black, Forest Environment Research and Services (FERS), Navan, Co. Meath, bring us details of their Farm Carbon project on Hedgerows here
10 September 2022
Growing Wild - willowherb and water mint
Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity to look out for in the countryside. Here she shares some interesting facts of nature about willowherb and water mint
10 September 2022
Today's Farm - September/October 2022
The September/October edition of our bi-monthly magazine is now available online. In this edition find out why Beef farmers are embracing clover. It also has articles on Organic sheep earn their keep; Soil sampling is key to cutting fertiliser costs; Transferring the family farm; and more.
10 September 2022
5 new protein sources you may not have come across before
Analysis: from seaweed to duckweed, here are 5 sustainably sourced alternative proteins to investigate. This article by Laura Healy, Teagasc PhD student and Walsh Scholar in Food Chemistry and Technology at TU Dublin, first published on RTÉ Brainstorm recently
09 September 2022
Forestry Knowledge Transfer Groups (KTGs) re-commence
Field trips are so beneficial and it’s great to see forest owners learn about Basal Area, taking top height and calculating stems/hectare among many other skills, all relatable to their own crop. John Casey, Teagasc forestry development officer talks about the benefits of being in a discussion group
09 September 2022
‘VALPRO Path’ project to deliver opportunities for plant protein production
The VALPRO Path project, a Horizon Europe Innovation Action, co-ordinated by Dr. Ewen Mullins, Teagasc, has secured co-funding of €9.7 million. The ambitious objectives of this research project will be achieved over 4 years through the involvement of up to 25 leading academic and industry teams
08 September 2022
In the weeds
Grass weeds are becoming an increasing problem in Irish tillage and resistance to herbicides that control grass weeds has been documented since 2019. Teagasc researchers have conducted a unique survey determining the level of the grass weed challenge in Ireland. Find out more
08 September 2022
Soil test results indicate early signs of soil fertility decline
A recent review of soil samples taken by Teagasc in 2021 shows that the number of soil samples taken across all farming enterprises have increased in 2021. Over this period, 62% of soil samples came from dairy farms, 25% from drystock farms and 11% from tillage farms.
08 September 2022
Autumn Nitrogen Advice for Grassland Farmers
The rain over the weekend in most of the drought affected areas of the country has farmers asking about the best approach to the application of nitrogen fertiliser on grassland. Pat Murphy, Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc has Autumn Nitrogen Advice for Grassland Farmers to consider
07 September 2022
Shinagh Dairy Open Day
An open day on the Shinagh dairy farm, near Bandon, Co. Cork, on Friday, 2 September outlined the steps taken towards achieving a climate neutral and profitable dairy farm. The technical focuses of the Shinagh dairy farm have been to maximise the amount of grass grown and utilised per hectare
06 September 2022
Details of National Organic Beef Open Day Announced
A National Organic Beef Open Day on the farm of John Purcell, Ross, Golden, Cashel, Co Tipperary will take place on Wednesday, 28th September from 10am to 3pm. The open day is jointly organised by Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
06 September 2022
New UCD Teagasc Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development
University College Dublin (UCD) is delighted to announce the launch of a new Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development designed and developed in association with Teagasc specifically for Post-Doctoral Fellows employed by Teagasc. Find out the details here
04 September 2022
New Fulbright-Teagasc Scholar and Professional Award launched
Postgraduate students across Ireland are being encouraged to apply for a Teagasc sponsored Fulbright-Irish Award following a call for applications on 31 August 2022. Get more details of how to apply and of an upcoming information webinar on the awards, here
03 September 2022
Going organic in Ireland
The EU’s Farm to Fork strategy aims to increase organic food production; knowing why consumers purchase organic foods will be essential if it is to be successful.
03 September 2022
Multi-species Mixes Increase Yield with Less Fertiliser, and Increase Drought Resilience
At Farming for a Better Future Open Day John Finn and Guylain Grange, Researchers at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and Caroline Brophy, Trinity College Dublin summarised the ongoing research at Teagasc Johnstown Castle into multi-species grassland mixtures. Find out the promising results here
03 September 2022
Best Practice hedge cutting for our two hedge types
With the opening of the hedge cutting season on 1 September, best practice hedge cutting is more important than ever because of the role of hedges in biodiversity and carbon and the need to improve their condition. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist has more in Hedgerow Week
02 September 2022
10 simple ideas to make your forest ecologically more diverse!
Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Advisor outlines ten simple ideas to make your forest ecologically more diverse. Most of these measures are easy to achieve and they will make a world of difference! Watch as Steven explains in a short video here
02 September 2022
DairyBeef500 Walk with Richard Long, Co. Waterford
Join the Teagasc DairyBeef500 team on Thursday, 8th September at 3pm on the farm of Richard Long, Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford. Eircode: E91 VH67. Find out more and Book your ticket here
02 September 2022
Tillage Update - Tillage farms show largest increase in soil sample numbers in 2021
While Tillage farms show largest increase in soil sample numbers in 2021, a drop (-6%) in soil fertility was noted. Mark Plunkett, Tillage Specialist Johnstown Castle Research Centre, reminds tillage farmers that they should aim to maintain soil fertility by fertilising to grain yield potential
01 September 2022
Grassland Farmer of the Year - Dairy & Overall Winner - Colin Doherty
Join the Teagasc Grass10 team on Tuesday, 6 September at 11am on the farm of Colin Doherty, Adare, Co. Limerick, V94 K160. Colin is the Overall Winner and Dairy Category Winner of the 2021 Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition.
01 September 2022
New Compostable Film for weed control in newly planted hedges
New compostable film is available for use instead of plastic to protect newly planted hedges against weeds. The compostable film is starch based with additives from the dairy processing industry added. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist has more information for Hedgerow Week
01 September 2022
The Secret Life of Hedges
Hedges are ecosystems where native flora and fauna co-exist in harmony. To mark #HedgerowWeek2022 Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, reveals the birds, bats, bees, mammals, moths & butterflies, that occupy our hedgerows and the free food within, in The Secret Life of Hedges
31 August 2022
Key Metrics for Efficient Pasture-based Production Systems
On Stand No 3 at Farming for a Better Future Open Day at Teagasc specialists Joe Patton and Pearse Kelly and Teagasc Johnstown Castle Researcher David Wall, discuss Key Metrics for Efficient Pasture-based Production Systems. View the live boards and presentations here on Teagasc Daily
31 August 2022
Technologies for Today and Tomorrow to Reduce Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Emissions
On Stand No 2 at the Farming for a Better Future Open Day in Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Karl Richards and Gary Lanigan, Teagasc discuss the steps that farmers can take to reduce on-farm emissions. View the live boards and presentations here on Teagasc Daily
31 August 2022
Farm Zero Carbon (FZC) Focus at Shinagh Dairy Farm Open Day
Can we achieve a climate neutral and profitable dairy farm? Join us at the Shinagh Open Day on Friday, 2 September at 11am and find out why we think so. John McNamara, Padraig French, Teagasc & Kevin Ahern, Manager, tell us more about Shinagh dairy farm and it's environmental & sustainability focus
31 August 2022
Supporting Sustainability on the Ground
On Stand No 4 at Farming for a Better Future Open Day at Johnstown Castle, Tom O'Dwyer and Pat Murphy, both Teagasc, discuss Supporting Sustainability on the Ground. They include the supports in place for farmers from Teagasc. View the live boards and presentations here on Teagasc Daily
30 August 2022
Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainability on Irish Farms
On Stand No 1 at the Farming for a Better Future Open Day at Johnstown Castle, Karen Daly and David Wall, Teagasc, Crops Environment, and Land-use Research, discuss the Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainability on Irish Farms. View the live boards and presentations here on Teagasc Daily.
30 August 2022
The Importance of Hedgerows for Butterflies - Hedgerow Week 2022
There are 35 species of butterflies in Ireland - 23 of these breed on hedges. Over-management of hedges removes butterfly eggs, larvae and nectar sources for adult butterflies. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist and Jesmond Harding, Butterfly Conservation Ireland explain
30 August 2022
ACRES Hedge Actions - Hedgerow Week 2022
There are three hedge actions in the new agri environment scheme ACRES: coppicing, laying & planting hedges. It is important to understand what is involved in each action and the ongoing work required during the next five years. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist has details
29 August 2022