Environment
On-farm Steps to Benefit the Environment
Climate change and the Environment are real and urgent topics which will be with us for a long time to come. In this short video Peter Comer, Mayo ASSAP Advisor looks at a few of the "heavy hitters" that farmers can adopt right now which will have a significant positive impact on the environment
18 July 2021
Managing Oversown Clover
Over-sown clover needs careful management this time of the year to ensure good establishment and persistency. Watch as Mike Egan, Teagasc researcher at Moorepark has good practical advice in this Teagasc Signpost video, on grazing and fertiliser management of over-sown clover in the grass sward
17 July 2021
REAP Margins fencing date approaches
Aoife Leader, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, highlights how farmers can maintain and enhance field margins for farmland biodiversity bearing in mind that farmers availing of the REAP scheme may choose to fence these margins from livestock. For REAP this fencing must be in place by 15th July 2021. See more
14 July 2021
A day in the life of a young dairy farmer - Cian Jobe
On Thursday 8th July, Cian Jobe hosted an Instagram takeover on the Teagasc account to give insight into a day in the life of a young dairy farmer. Cian gave an overview of his story, his educational background and how he got into dairy farming. Watch as Cian takes you through his daily farm tasks
13 July 2021
Breaking the Pathway of Phosphorus and Sediment entering Waterways
When farmers are applying fertilisers, cultivating, grazing or draining land close to watercourses, careful, site specific land management can minimise the risk of Phosphorus and sediment loss and help improve water quality. Ivan Kelly, ASSAP Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare has good advice here
13 July 2021
Climate Actions for July
For the latest current and up to date farm advice from the Signpost Programme and for details of the Climate Actions that you should adopt for the month of July on your farm see here
12 July 2021
Managing existing clover swards
Best practice grazing management is similar for grass-white clover swards and grass-only swards. Deirdre Hennessy, Teagasc Researcher talks here in a short video about Managing existing clover swards, mid-season fertiliser requirements, preventing bloat and more
11 July 2021
If you go down the woods today...…you shouldn’t see deer every time
The continuous deer population growth that has occurred in Ireland in the last 20 years has led to a situation where deer numbers may now be 200,000+ approximately. John Casey, Forestry Development Officer, Mallow takes a look at the impact of deer on forestry and at the SMARTDEER project and more
09 July 2021
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter July 2021
This issue of the Teagasc Signpost e-newsletter features timely climate actions for July as well as a glossary of commonly used climate change terms. We meet Signpost Farmers Aidan Maguire and Tim Leader. Get useful tips on managing clover swards, minimising nitrates loss to water & research updates
08 July 2021
Record 3 (Movement of Slurry/FYM ) goes online
Farmers exceeding a stocking rate of 170kgs of organic N (Nitrogen from livestock), who do not avail of a Nitrates Derogation must export slurry / FYM off the farm to avoid penalties and notify DAFM. Séamus Nolan, Dairy Advisor Teagasc Castlerea explains that this Record 3 process is now online only
06 July 2021
The Starrett Family Dairy Farm
In 2020, the Starrett family was awarded the top prize in the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. On Tuesday 29th June last, Richard and Wendy Starrett hosted this year’s National Milk Quality Farm Walk as a webinar and social media takeover. You can watch it all back here.
05 July 2021
ASSAP Service: A typical Farm Assessment
The ASSAP (Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory programme) is a free advisory service aimed at improving water quality. There are 10 PAA’s (Prioritized areas for action) in West Cork. Lane Giles, ASSAP Advisor, Clonakilty explains what the service provides for the farmer in West Cork
03 July 2021
Delivery of Public Good Farm Practice through CAP
Cross Compliance rules were first introduced in 2000 and revised in 2015. The aim is implement public good practices on farm to protect human, animal, plant and environmental health. Anne O’Malley, Farm Food Business and Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballina explains Statutory Management Requirements
02 July 2021
Chorca Dhuibhne 2030: building sustainability on the ground
The Dingle peninsula, in the Southwest of Ireland, has become an important focus for innovative projects involving diverse AKIS (Agriculture Knowledge Innovation System) actors. At the recent ESEE Conference, a new docufilm was launched showcasing Corca Dhuibhne’s ambitious vision for 2030. See here
02 July 2021
Best Practice when using Pesticides
It is important that all users take care and follow best practice procedure when using pesticides. Deirdre Glynn, ASSAP Advisor and Mark Trimble, Tillage Advisor, Kilkenny discuss safe storage and handling of chemicals, good sprayer maintenance and best practice when using pesticides on farm.
26 June 2021
National Milk Quality Virtual Farm Walk on Starrett Farm
The Starrett family farm hosts a webinar and social media takeover on Tuesday 29th June at 11am. The Starretts were overall winners of the 2020 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. A Fact sheet on the farm is outlined here along with registration details for the event. You won't want to miss this!
25 June 2021
Fertiliser Guidelines for 2nd Cut Silage
Second cut silage is planned on many farms to replenish silage reserves for the coming winter. This crop tends to be lower yielding compared to first cut silage. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition and John Conroy, Teagasc Westport outline fertiliser guidelines for making 2nd cut silage
24 June 2021
Teagasc Opening Statement on Organic Farming to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture Food and the Marine - June 22 2021
Today, Tuesday June 22, Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle and Mary Ryan, Teagasc Researcher gave a briefing on Organic Farming to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The full statement includes publications, on-line, advisory, education & research support for organics
22 June 2021
The Signpost Series - Farmland Birds and the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 4th June, Mark Gibson, Teagasc ConnectEd was joined by Dr. Anita Donaghy and Oonagh Duggan from Birdwatch Ireland to discuss the declining bird population in our country.
20 June 2021
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter June 2021
Welcome to the first e-newsletter for the Signpost Programme. The Signpost e-newsletter will be published monthly. It will provide you with news from the Signpost Programme, technical articles, policy and research updates as well as profiling Signpost Farmers from across the country.
19 June 2021
Machinery Co-operatives in Ireland
Ireland’s first farm machinery sharing co-operative was formed by members of Kilnamartyra dairy discussion group in West Cork. The machinery co-op provides a sound business structure for the sharing of machinery between farmers and can be applicable to farmers in any enterprise, especially tillage
18 June 2021
Environment Newsletter - June 2021
This month's Teagasc Environment newsletter has information and advice on: REAP the benefits; Measures to reduce nutrient and sediment run-off to waters from January 1, 2021; and Message from ASSAP - Protect our bathing waters.
11 June 2021
Agriculture is facing a momentous decision on carbon budgets
Over the next few months a decision on the future of Irish agriculture will be taken that may prove to be as momentous as the 1984 introduction of milk quota or our 1973 entry to the EU. Professor Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc refers to the publication of sectoral carbon budgets from 2021 onwards
10 June 2021
Water Protection measures since 1st January 2021 – do they affect my farm?
Many farmers have asked about water protection measures that have been in place since the start of 2021 and if these apply to their farms. These measures were introduced to reduce nutrient and sediment run-off to waters to improve water quality. Tim Hyde, Environment Specialist has the answers here
05 June 2021
Ger McSweeney - Innovative Farm Programme
Aisling Molloy, Teagasc Advisor, Kanturk and Suckler to beef farmer Ger McSweeney outline how he is improving the technical efficiencies on his farm resulting in reduced Carbon footprint for every Kg of beef he produces. He is achieving this through the Innovative Farm Programme: Life Beef Carbon
05 June 2021
Farming with Nature
John Oates is farming just north of Sligo Town. Whitethorn hedgerows provide field boundaries and shelter and shade for livestock. Environment and Technology Advisor Peter Mullan gives more information on how John is farming with the natural environment
04 June 2021
Getting the Spread Right
Fertiliser is one of the most expensive inputs on the farm so you need to ensure that it is applied correctly, not only for your wallet but also for the environment. Here, Francis Quigley Teagasc Farm Machinery Specialist, talks about safety, checking the spreader, machine settings and calibration
03 June 2021
Get the Facts on Applying Lime
Isn't it about time you applied lime? Don't rely on hearsay - stick to the facts. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Johnstown Castle highlights 10 facts every farmer should know about applying lime. When is the ideal time to apply lime? What about lime and slurry? Can I apply lime and urea? Get answers here
02 June 2021
Teagasc plans for new Apprenticeships
On Tuesday 25th May Teagasc gave a briefing note on it's Education and Training for the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Teagasc, as primary provider of accredited further education and training (FET) for the agricultural sector, details new apprenticeship pathway plans here
02 June 2021
Increasing the productivity of a grass based, mid-season lambing system
Shane Moore, BETTER Farm sheep participant has been developing the farm infrastructure in recent years to allow him to increase output from his flock while controlling costs and improving profitability. Join our Let’s Talk Sheep webinar series this Thursday evening at 8pm and hear all. Register here
01 June 2021