Environment

Gaseous nitrogen losses in agricultural sources and mitigation
Agricultural emissions to air are divided into two main categories - greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Greenhouse gases have a negative impact on climate change and agriculture contributes 36% of our national emissions. Agriculture will need to reduce emissions by 22% and 30% by 2030.
10 July 2022

Strategies to reduce methane emissions from Irish beef production
Methane is a GHG that is 28 times more potent to the environment than carbon dioxide. Methane produced by ruminant livestock accounts for nearly 60% of Irish agricultural related greenhouse gas (GHG). Researchers* from Teagasc and UCD give information on research to reduce methane emissions.
05 July 2022

Teagasc Director welcomes farmers to Grange for Beef 2022
The day has finally arrived: Beef2022! Let's hear from Teagasc Director, Professor Frank O'Mara who extends a warm welcome to all.."I am delighted to welcome you to BEEF2022 at Teagasc Grange and I hope that you find the day enjoyable, informative and fulfilling". Frank has more about the day here
05 July 2022

Growing Wild - Elder and Ragged Robin
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 Elder and Ragged Robin
03 July 2022

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) research at Teagasc Grange
Researchers at Teagasc Grange rise to the challenge of researching Bovine Respiratory Disease in two studies mentioned here. One on New diagnostics for rapid detection and identification of the causative agents of the disease, and the second on use of RNA sequencing to analyse calf samples post BRD
03 July 2022

July Organic Farm Walks
Teagasc, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and organic organisations invite all farmers and members of the public to see organic farming in practice and to meet and speak with the producers and sector’s experts. Do this by attending one of the three final Organic Summer Farm walks in July
02 July 2022

Beef 2022 - What is it all about?
There are significant challenges in relation to overall profitability, market disturbances, CAP reform, climate change policy and input price rises, however, the market for grass-fed beef as a high quality, sustainable food is strong. Come to Beef 2022 at Teagasc Grange on July 5th to be in the know
02 July 2022

Winner of ‘Equine Farming and Biodiversity’ Photo Competition Announced
Teagasc announced the winners of the ‘Equine Farming and Biodiversity’ photo competition. The overall winner is Max Solan Clinton from Boyle, Co. Roscommon
01 July 2022

Performing BETTER on Tomas O’ Leary's Farm
Although Tomas O'Leary, BETTER Sheep Farmer, Co. Kerry, has reduced fertiliser nitrogen applications by 25% in 2022, he has so far grown more grass than in previous years. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep KT, Teagasc discusses sheep performance, grass, silage and overall progress on the farm
01 July 2022

Cathal and Rita Rudden – winners of the 2022 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
Cavan suckler farmer, Cathal Rudden and his wife Rita, won the 2022 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award in May. Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, introduces Cathal's farm and discusses the farm forest and woodland awards. We also hear from Cathal Rudden about his farm in a video here
01 July 2022

Grange Breeding research on cattle sexual development and twinning
Researchers at Teagasc Grange have, and continue to investigate two areas of breeding; "Insights into the sexual development of cattle" and "Does twinning have a role for suckler beef systems?" You are invited to meet the researchers yourself by visiting Beef 2022 on 5 July next. Learn more here
01 July 2022

Method of establishing clover in Teagasc Ballyhaise
This research trial at Ballyhaise Agricultural College is looking at transitioning from high levels of Nitrogen use to low levels through incorporating white clover into new and existing perennial ryegrass swards. James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Ballyhaise explains how clover was established
30 June 2022

Dairy-beef: producing an in-spec carcass sooner
To find out more about DairyBeef research join us at Teagasc Grange for Beef 2022 on Tuesday 5th July. Here, Nicky Byrne, Donall Fahy, Jamie O’Driscoll and Mark Kearney, Teagasc Grange outline their investigations into producing an in-spec carcass sooner which is important in reducing GHG emissions
30 June 2022

New Teagasc ConnectEdProgramme Manager Appointed
Sheila Quinn has been appointed as the new manager of the Teagasc ConnectEd Programme. She will lead the development and delivery of the Programme which provides training and knowledge exchange programmes to the wider agri-food sector. Read more about Sheila Quinn and Teagasc ConnectEd here
29 June 2022

Future Beef Programme on Ken Gill’s Organic Farm
Ken Gill farms his autumn calving, suckler to beef, organic farm full-time in Clonbullogue, Co Offaly. Ken and his family hosted The Future Beef Programme farmer launch on his farm recently. Aisling Molloy, Teagasc Future Beef Programme advisor gives a full account of Ken's organic farming system
29 June 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 28th June 2022
Rainfall brings opportunity (growth) and challenge (grazing conditions). In this week's newsletter the Grass10 team promote the 2021 GFOY Winner Farm Walk on Friday, 8th July on Sean O'Donnell's farm in Mayo. Get details of Beef 2022 at Grange, featured farmer, clover reporter, advice and more here
29 June 2022

Concrete versus rubber covered slats
Concern for the welfare of finishing cattle, particularly in relation to housing conditions (floor type & space allocation), has been expressed at national and EU level. Teagasc Grange Researchers give insight into their research into Concrete versus rubber covered slats. Find out more at Beef 2022
29 June 2022

Suckler calf health and welfare
Suckler calf health & welfare is one area of Grange research you can visit at Beef 2022. The survival and performance of the suckler calf depends on the development of a strong cow-calf bond, Noeleen Brereton, Mark McGee, Colin Byrne, Peter Doyle, Bernadette Earley Teagasc Grange researchers explain
28 June 2022

Meet Michael & Alex McCarthy, Signpost dairy farmers
We are farming in a partnership milking 170 cows on a grass based system. We farm 104 hectares. A major challenge we see coming at us over the next couple of years are the environmental challenges. As Signpost farmers we want to increase biodiversity on our farm. Read our June update here
28 June 2022

Production of beef from an all-grass forage diet
Did you know ?....Pasture-only production systems allow beef to be marketed as ‘grass-fed’, providing further high-value market opportunities for Irish beef. Edward O’Riordan, Peter Doyle, Mark McGee, Aidan Moloney & Paul Crosson, Teagasc Grange explain further. A taste of what to expect at Beef202
28 June 2022

Successful Kildalton 50th Open Day
The Teagasc Kildalton Agriculture, Horticulture and Equine College in Piltown county Kilkenny opened its doors and its gates to thousands of visitors on Saturday, 25 June to celebrate its 50th year as an education college.
27 June 2022

Beef 2022 is Supporting sustainable beef farming
Come along to the Beef2022 open day at Teagasc Grange on July 5th and meet Teagasc specialists, researchers and advisors who will provide you with all the latest on all things Beef. Paul Crosson, Head of Beef Enterprise and Pearse Kelly, Head of Teagasc Drystock
Knowledge Transfer outline more here
27 June 2022

Silage effluent, storing silage & water quality
Silage effluent is highly pollutant to waterbodies and must be stored and collected according to best practice. An accidental discharge can have serious effects on a rivers ecology including fish kills for long distances downstream. Kieran Kenny, Teagasc ASSAP advisor, Roscommon has practical advice
27 June 2022

Saving our soil
Teagasc is engaged in an extensive range of research including national and international collaborations. Teagasc highlights the impacts of its latest research in "Research impact highlights in 2020". Soil is one such area as Teagasc researchers Michael Gaffney and Dheeraj Rathore outline here
26 June 2022

Using Protected Urea
Using protected urea in grassland results in lower nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions than CAN and lower ammonia losses than urea. This makes it the most sustainable fertiliser N source for meeting both greenhouse gas and ammonia loss emission commitments, as Sandra Hayes, Teagasc advisor reminds us here
26 June 2022

Alternative fodder crops and general advice
Cattle performance replies on having high quality forages and feed on the farm going into the coming winter. With this in mind, it is worth investigating the use of alternative crops such as Kale, Rape or Redstart to bolster the high quality feed available. John Crowley, Teagasc advisor has tips
26 June 2022

Meat Quality Village in Beef 2022
Our beef is regarded in many markets as a premium product because of our high forage diets, traceability and ever improving sustainability. Here, Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist introduces the Meat Quality Village, which is part of the Teagasc Beef 2022 open day at Grange on July 5th.
25 June 2022

Francis Nolan's Teagasc/Glanbia Open Source Future Farm Walk
Join us on Wednesday, 29th June at 11am on the farm of Francis Nolan, Knockalane, Muckalee, Co. Kilkenny, R93 A3W0 for a Teagasc/Glanbia Open Source Future Farm Walk. The walk topics will cover the farm, farmyard and labour - topics not to be missed. Book your ticket here
24 June 2022

Multi species swards: grazing trial at Johnstown Castle
Despite lower fertiliser nitrogen, dairy cattle on multi-species swards performed similarly to a herd on grass-clover, a Teagasc grazing trial shows. Aidan Lawless (Johnstown Castle), Mike Dineen (Moorepark), David Wall (Johnstown Castle) and John Finn (Johnstown Castle) discuss this research here
24 June 2022

Organic farming with Fergal Byrne
On Wednesday, 8th June 2022, Organic Sheep, Cereals and Beef Finishing farmer Fergal Byrne, Calverstown Little, Dunlavin, Co. Kildare hosted a Teagasc Organic Farm Walk. Fergal shares details about his organic farm here, which is very informative for anyone considering converting to organic farming
24 June 2022