Environment
Pollution Prevention on Farm Roadways
A well designed and well maintained farm roadway has many benefits which must include pollution control. Farm roadways are widely acknowledged as a significant run off pathway. Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, Tralee, has advice here on roadway layout to avoid run off to watercourses
23 August 2021
Endangered Corncrake making a welcome return
Corncrake numbers have declined in recent times, however they have increased again in 2021. Joanne Masterson, B&T Drystock Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, discusses corncrake friendly mowing and the Corncrake LIFE Project Scheme. She also sheds light on the future of this bird species.
22 August 2021
Appreciating The Heritage of Hedges
Hedges give character to farms, townlands, parishes and counties, making them distinct from other areas. Hedges evoke history and folklore. On National Heritage Week, Catherine Keena & Michael Somers remind us of the Kickham Tree Project in Tipperary, which preserves the legacy of Charles Kickham
20 August 2021
Teagasc celebrates National Heritage Week
National Heritage Week takes place from 14th - 22nd August. Teagasc is marking the week by dedicating 2 Signpost Series webinars to the topics: Archaeology & Farming and Traditional Farm Buildings. Read more here on how to access these webinars and to find out more about Teagasc Heritage resources
19 August 2021
Multi-species swards grow more forage with less fertiliser, even under drought conditions
Six-species swards outperformed perennial ryegrass monocultures and were considerably more resistant to drought. New research from Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and Trinity College Dublin shows that multi-species mixtures out-yielded perennial ryegrass which received double the amount of fertiliser
18 August 2021
Devenish Teagasc partnership to help agri industry meet climate challenge
Ireland’s food and farming sector will have a significant competitive advantage in the global market place by creating one of the world’s most sustainable food systems through a unique collaboration between animal nutrition company, Devenish, and agriculture and food development authority, Teagasc
17 August 2021
Increasing soil pH reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions
A new scientific paper from Teagasc has shown that getting soil pH right through a liming programme can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The Teagasc Signpost Programme brings this important fact to our attention here
15 August 2021
How to improve the biodiversity value of your forest - Part 1
In the first of a two-part series of articles, 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.
13 August 2021
Signpost Programme: Show your Stripes Day
Climate scientists, meteorologists, and citizens united on the 21 June — the summer solstice or Show Your Stripes Day — to raise awareness around the climate crisis. The graphic shown here - Warming Stripes for Ireland from 1901-2020 - featured in the August Signpost Programme newsletter.
12 August 2021
How does your suckler cow measure up?
With greater emphasis on livestock efficiency and it's impact on climate change, Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist takes an interesting look at the effects of calving date on subsequent cow and calf performance and profitability, reinforcing the early-calving cow and compact calving benefits
11 August 2021
Building Autumn Grass
In a recent edition of the Let's Talk Dairy Series, Stuart Childs interviewed John Douglas, Teagasc Grass10 Advisor, about setting up the farm for Autumn grass. Extra grazing days in the autumn are achieved by building grass cover during August. See the environmental benefits and get key tips here
11 August 2021
Sustainable Cattle Production Systems Showcased
The British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston joined the IFA President Tim Cullinan for a visit to the Teagasc Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation centre, Grange, County Meath yesterday, Tuesday, 10 August to see the latest Teagasc research into sustainable pasture-based beef production
11 August 2021
Signpost Programme Steering Group Meet
The first meeting of the Signpost Programme Steering Group was held on Wednesday 28 July, in Teagasc Oak Park. The Signpost Programme is a collaborative programme to lead climate action by Irish farmers and their transition towards more sustainable farming systems. Read on for more
10 August 2021
Best practice on spent sheep dip and footbath solutions
The practice of sheep dipping either during summer or winter or both is an important annual practice on sheep farms throughout the country. Mary Roache, Teagasc ASSAP advisor lists best practice sheep dipping guidelines here with the protection of water in mind.
10 August 2021
Signpost Programme Farmer: Joe Carroll
Meet Joe Carroll, one of our Signpost Programme Farmers. Joe milks 84 dairy cow herd on a 25.5 hectare milking block in Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry. Joe is also a member of the Kerry Agribusiness Joint Programme.
09 August 2021
Signpost Programme Farmer: Tomás O'Leary
Meet Tomás O'Leary, one of our Signpost Programme Farmers. Tomás farms with his wife Eileen and children Míchéal, Yvonne and Sinead in Killarney, Co. Kerry. Tomás operates a sheep enterprise alongside a contract rearing dairy heifer enterprise.
07 August 2021
High Genetic Merit Belclare Sires Having the Desired Effect
Francis Gonley and his family run an all sheep farm on the outskirts of Sligo town. The farm is part of the Teagasc BETTER Farm Sheep Programme. Damian Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, reports the latest on sheep performance and farm plan progress.
07 August 2021
Signpost Programme Update
Our demonstration farmers are currently engaging with the National Farm Survey (NFS) recorders. This month's research update is on the importance of getting soil pH right. Take a look at the warming stripes for Ireland from 1901 to 2020
06 August 2021
Environment Newsletter - August 2021
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Low-input grassland; Message from Signpost - Why do farmers need to engage with climate action?; and Message from ASSAP - Tillage cover/catch crops can help water quality
06 August 2021
Five reasons for farmers to engage with climate actions
Climate change is perhaps the greatest environmental challenge facing the world right now. Climate change is already happening with increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and rising sea levels. Irish Agriculture contributes to 35% of the greenhouse gases produced in Ireland.
04 August 2021
Climate Actions for August
August is a good month to sort out deficits in grazing infrastructure to optimise days at grass, if your capital expenditure budgets allow. Helpful solutions include spur roadways, multiple access points to paddocks and back fencing. Get the current advice from the Signpost Programme for August here
02 August 2021
Why farm soils cause greenhouse gas emissions - and how to fix it
Hands up who is interested in soil? Anyone? Anyone at all? Tumbleweeds might roll past unless you are addressing a room full of avid gardeners and land managers. This article by Rosie O'Neill, Teagasc Walsh Scholar first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm.
01 August 2021
Soil Sealing in Ireland
The July Map of the Month looks at the important issue of soil sealing in Ireland. Soil sealing is where the ground is covered with an artificial impervious layer - such as concrete. The map was produced as part of the new Terrain-AI project.
31 July 2021
Reseeding: The final piece of the jigsaw in Co. Carlow
Shane Cranny operates a calf to beef system in Myshall, Co. Carlow, where 70 autumn-born Holstein calves are purchased annually. Here Seán Cummins, Teagasc Green Acres Advisor shares some insight into Shane's farm and we get in-depth reseeding information from Shane himself in a short video
31 July 2021
Soil health physical examination
TEAGASC researchers at Johnstown Castle and Oak Park, along with collaborators from UCD, have developed soil physical health tools to use at field or national monitoring network scales. Research Officers Owen Fenton, Dermot Forristal & Giulia Bondi bring us fascinating insight into Soil Health here
30 July 2021
Signpost Farmers: Tim Leader & Aidan Maguire
Meet two of our Signpost Farmers - Tim Leader and Aidan Maguire. Tim Leader farms a Dairy, Dairy Replacements and Calf to Store/Beef enterprise in Kilcorney, Rathcoole, Co Cork while Aidan Maguire farms a calf to beef enterprise in Antylstown, Navan, Co. Meath. Read all about the farmers here
29 July 2021
Nitrogen Loss to Water in Agricultural Catchments
Every four years the Nitrates Directive is reviewed and changes are made to the regulations. 2021 is such a year. In Teagasc, the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) studies water quality in 6 contrasting catchments across the country. Edward Burgess ACP, discusses some ACP study results here
29 July 2021
Fertiliser advice under prolonged dry soil conditions
Over the last 6 to 7 weeks soil moisture deficits (SMD) have continued to increase due to low rainfall in many parts of the country. At SMD above 50 mm growth becomes restricted. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist discusses Fertiliser N Application decisions in dry conditions
28 July 2021
Sustainable soil management to unleash soil biodiversity potential and increase environmental, economic and social wellbeing
In June 2021, the Horizon 2020 project, SOILGUARD, held its inaugural meeting online, kicking off its project activities. Twenty-five trans-disciplinar project partners from 17 countries came together to share the project goals, expectations and results to be achieved during the next 4 years.
26 July 2021
Taking Care in the Countryside
Irish farmers work very hard each day, managing their animals & crops. This is done while also maintaining habitats, protecting watercourses & supporting their communities. Teagasc Health & Safety Specialists John McNamara & Francis Bligh have advice for farmers on how to keep the countryside safe.
22 July 2021