Environment
TResearch Autumn/Winter 2021
TResearch is an official science publication of Teagasc. It aims to disseminate the results of the organisation’s research to a broad audience. The Autumn/Winter 2021 issue of TResearch magazine brings a new look. We’ve put the people who carry out our cutting-edge research front and centre.
31 December 2021
Tillage Farms are low GHG emitters but targeting nitrogen can reduce emissions further
The biggest contributor to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions on tillage farms is nitrogen use. Michael Hennessy, Head of Crop Knowledge Transfer Department, Teagasc looks at some of the figures involved in reducing nitrogen rates on farms.
30 December 2021
Unearthing a medieval town
For the final Map of the Month of the year 2021, we take a closer look the abandoned town of Newtown near Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny, which according to local legend is the resting place of St. Nicholas. This map by Daniel O'Mahony, Walsh Scholar looks at how technology revolutionised archaeology.
29 December 2021
Don Somers Teagasc Signpost tillage farmer
Don Somers is one of the Teagasc Signpost tillage farmers and is based in Co. Wexford. Don grows a mixture of winter and spring cereals as well as winter oilseed rape and spring beans. Find out more about Don's farming practices in a short video here
26 December 2021
Saoirse wins International Award for her Teagasc multi-species sward research
This year’s Brian Chambers International Award for Early Career Researchers was won by Dr Saoirse Cummins, a researcher at Teagasc’s Environment Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, for showing that multi-species mixtures enhance grassland sustainability
24 December 2021
Forestry winter management tasks
Winter tends to be a bit more quiet on the farm. It is a great time to get jobs done in your forest. So, dependent on the age of your forest, here are some suggestions to work off all those Christmas puddings! Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Department goes through the checklist
24 December 2021
Meeting December Climate Actions
In December Climate Actions: Order protected urea for 2022 - how to value it versus other N, Organise soil sampling, Weigh finishing animals in winter to ensure they are on target for slaughter next Spring, Identify suitable heifers for breeding at 15 months and importing organic manure for tillage
19 December 2021
Reducing Phosphorus Loss to Water
There has been at lot of focus on Nitrogen in media coverage in recent times, but it is another nutrient, Phosphorus, that in causing issues in many watercourses draining heavy soils. Ivan Kelly, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor provides some advice on reducing Phosphorous loss to water.
19 December 2021
The benefits of soil sampling to farmers
It is crucial that farmers take soil samples and analyse the findings to save money in 2022. Brendan Garry and John Noonan, Teagasc Mayo provide some advice and Edward Gibbons, local farmer discusses the benefits he has seen on his farm by taking soil samples over the years.
19 December 2021
How to reduce chemical fertiliser N in 2022
Getting more from every kilo of nitrogen (N) in 2022 is the new challenge as fertiliser N prices reach record highs and legislative N limits tighten in a quest to improve water quality and reduce the impacts of agricultural emissions on climate change. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Specialist has advice
18 December 2021
Safeguard your payments against Cross Compliance Penalties
Under cross-compliance, the beneficiary of direct payments is required to meet specified minimum criteria in the maintenance of their yard and the storage of organic manures to avoid sanctions being applied to their area-based payments. Noel Bardon, Walsh Scholar, Teagasc Westport has some advice.
17 December 2021
Environment Newsletter - December 2021
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Think before you plant!; Planting a new hedge; and a message from Signpost Programme - How big is your carbon footprint?.
17 December 2021
Teagasc Pathway to Reducing GHG Emissions
The Climate Action Plan of 4th November clarified sectoral emission reduction targets for agriculture and land-use. Tom O’Dwyer, Head of Signpost Programme focuses on the steps needed for agriculture to deliver on its targets. Teagasc Director, Frank O'Mara outlined these at the Beef Conference also
16 December 2021
Organic farming: an option now?
For those considering the change to organic farming there are many factors to take into account. Martina Donnelly, Teagasc B&T Drystock Advisor, discusses these factors, including fertiliser, meal and sprays, here.
12 December 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Profitability of later born calves
Today's question, the last in the series of unanswered questions from the Virtual Dairy Conference is on whether later born calves (April- May) leave a profit for the beef farmer? All this week and last, Teagasc Dairy Specialists answered these. Nicky Byrne, Teagasc Grange answers this one here
10 December 2021
Teagasc Green Acres Newsletter Issue 8
This latest issue of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme e-Newsletter, this December, has a farmer update from Ciaran Bartley, Boher, Co. Limerick, key management tips, details of silage quality on Green Acres farms and information on Space requirements for weanlings. Read it here
09 December 2021
National Beef Conference 2021
Due to COVID-19, this year's National Beef Conference was delivered as two webinars, on Monday, 6th December and Wednesday, 8th December. The conference consisted of the latest beef research and the best technical advice for beef farmers. Access both of the webinars here
09 December 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Spring Nitrogen recommendations
Teagasc Dairy Specialists and farmer speakers answer questions from the National Dairy Conference, which were unanswered on the day, due to the volume of questions asked, here on Teagasc Daily this week. Today's question is on Spring Nitrogen recommendations answered by Michael O’Donovan, Moorepark
09 December 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Oversowing Clover
In a follow up from yesterday’s questions about the Clover seeding rate, this question is further answered today with regard to clover oversowing methods. Teagasc Dairy Specialists and farmer speakers answer questions like this from the National Dairy Conference here on Teagasc Daily this week
08 December 2021
Recap on November Climate Actions
With the first week of December under our belt it's time to recap on Climate actions for November and see if we have measured up. This week is Hedgerow week - did you order your trees and hedging? It's a good time to soil sample, test silage and review liver fluke control if not already done.
08 December 2021
Fertiliser Prices – Aiming to minimize impact of price inflation
With nitrogen prices having trebled in the last number of months and phosphorus and potassium prices rising also, drystock farmers are rightly concerned as to how this will affect their business in terms of cashflow and profitability in 2022. Alan Dillon, Beef Specialist discusses options here
08 December 2021
The state of Ireland’s hedgerows
Catherine Keena Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist covers The state of Ireland’s hedgerows, as talked about in the Teagasc Hedgerow Week Panel Discussion on Monday's webinar. Watch back on the webinar here and tune in all this week to Hedgerow Week events
08 December 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Clover seeding rate
Establishing clover in existing swards was a hot topic at the dairy conference. Questions like the following were asked: What amount of clover seed should be in a mix for mid season reseed? Teagasc Dairy Specialists and farmer speakers answer questions like this here on Teagasc Daily this week
07 December 2021
A day in the life: Diane Purcell-Meyerink, Teagasc Researcher
Diane Purcell-Meyerink began working at the Teagasc Food Centre, in July 2021. A Day in the Life... tells more about her well-traveled career path, taking her onto the NASA Ames base in California, to her current work in Teagasc on seaweeds and her Marie Cuire fellowship project ALGIPRO.
07 December 2021
Higher farm output prices in 2021, but rising costs a concern for 2022
A new report, by economists at Teagasc, estimates that average family farm income (FFI) in Ireland has increased by 20 per cent in 2021. Overall, price inflation for farm inputs has been more than offset by higher prices for most farm outputs leaving average family farm income for some farm systems
07 December 2021
Advice for Farmers facing Storm Barra
Met Eireann have issued a Status Red, Orange and Yellow - Wind warning for Ireland. Storms are becoming a more frequent occurance in Ireland bringing a mixture of wind, rain and sometimes snow. Teagasc has advice here for farmers facing the current Storm Barra this Tuesday and Wednesday
07 December 2021
Teagasc Future Beef Programme - Sustainable Cattle Production
The Teagasc Future Beef Programme - Sustainable Cattle Production, was launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD on the farm of Oliver O’Hara, near Manorhamilton in County Leitrim today, Monday, 6 December.
06 December 2021
National Dairy Conference Questions Answered: Using a team of bulls
Teagasc Dairy Specialists continue this week to answer the unanswered questions from the Virtual Dairy Conference on the Dairy Daily. Today's unanswered question is on using a balanced team of bulls when breeding for replacement heifers.
06 December 2021
Planting Hedges
On The Signpost Series, on Friday, 3 December, Mark Gibson, was joined by Pippa Hackett, Minister of State, DAFM and Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director to officially launch Hedgerow Week 2021. Catherine Keena, Countryside Management Specialist discusses planting hedges here and in the webinar
06 December 2021
The Signpost Series - Managing the Risk of Phosphorus Loss from Slurry Application in Northern Ireland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, held on Friday, 19 November, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by guest speakers Drs Donnacha Doody and Russell Adams, AFBI to discuss managing the risk of Phosphorus loss from slurry application in Northern Ireland
05 December 2021