Environment
Hedgerow Flora
There are approximately one hundred plant species associated with our native Irish hedges, each one with its own story to tell. These include trees, shrubs, climbers and herbs. Catherine Keena and John Feehan tell us more.
03 September 2024
How bats use hedgerows
Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, and Tina Aughney, Bat Conservation Ireland, tell us why hedgerows are so important for bats.
02 September 2024
Coppicing and hedge laying actions under ACRES
Along with establishing new hedges, there are two further hedge actions under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) - coppicing and the laying of hedges.
01 September 2024
Why birds need hedges
Of the 110 species regularly recorded in the Countryside Bird Survey in Ireland during the breeding season, 55 use hedges. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, and Niall Hatch, BirdWatch Ireland, tell us more.
31 August 2024
Reducing Your Farm’s Impact on Water Quality This Autumn
Richard Gill writes about how farmers can protect water quality by implementing a range of practices, from optimal fertiliser application to investing in infrastructure like fencing and solar-powered water pumps.
31 August 2024
Healthy hedges deliver for biodiversity
As part of National Hedgerow Week 2024, Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, tells us of the biodiversity benefits of healthy hedges.
30 August 2024
Value of healthy hedgerows highlighted as National Hedgerow Week is launched
Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett, today, Wednesday, 28 August launched National Hedgerow Week 2024 at an event in Birr Castle, Co. Offaly.
28 August 2024
Do you know what a species rich grassland looks like or if you have one on your farm?
Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, Dr Catherine Keena, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss natural and semi-natural grassland.
26 August 2024
Growing Wild: Haws and Powdery Mildew on Whitethorn
Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity, focusing this time on Haws and Powdery Mildew on Whitethorn.
23 August 2024
Farmland Biodiversity Event at Birr Castle Demesne
Teagasc, in collaboration with The Heritage Council, is delighted to host a Farmland Biodiversity Event on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, from 11 AM to 3 PM at Birr Castle Demesne, Birr, Co. Offaly.
22 August 2024
Refresher: The Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign
The Teagasc Better Farming for Water campaign was cited as a substantive action in the today, August 20, published Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s plan to progress the retaining of Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation post 2025.
20 August 2024
Growing Wild: Scarlet Waxcap and Yellow Meadow Ants
Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity, focusing this time on Scarlet Waxcap and Yellow Meadow Ants.
17 August 2024
The Value of Slurry & Autumn Management
What is the nutrient value of your slurry and how much do you think 1,000 gallons is worth? Teagasc ASSAP advisor, Hugh Rooney, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss all things slurry and how to get the best from it.
11 August 2024
Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs visit to the Mountain Water Catchment, Co Monaghan
Teagasc, together with its ASSAP partners LAWPRO and Lakeland Dairies, welcomed Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir to the farm of Padraig and Niall Hughes, Emyvale, County Monaghan, located in the Mountain Water catchment.
11 August 2024
Sward diversification more effective for higher yields than some microbial fertilisers
A new scientific paper from Teagasc, UCC and international collaborators has shown diversification of the plant species in swards can be more effective than the application of microbial inoculants in supporting productivity in intensively managed grasslands.
08 August 2024
Growing Wild: Water Mint and Jellyfish
Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity, focusing this time on Water Mint and Jellyfish.
03 August 2024
Everyone benefits from cleaner water
The new Farming for Water European Innovation Project (EIP) includes a €50m budget (until 2027) to fund a range of on-farm measures to improve water quality, writes David Webster, ASSAP advisor, Teagasc Mullingar.
02 August 2024
Measures to improve water quality funded through Farming for Water EIP
Sinead Devaney, ASSAP Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, writes on the role of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP), and shares key details on the application process for the Farming for Water EIP - a €50 million scheme with 40 different measures to choose from.
29 July 2024
Practical actions for efficient and environmentally sustainable farms
Owen Fenton and Bridget Lynch discuss integrating technologies into farming systems to improve soil health, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, emissions reduction, and water quality, encouraging farmers to adopt one new technology each season.
21 July 2024
ACRES assessments: What will advisors be looking for?
Advisors will visit farmers enrolled in ACRES General or ACRES Co-operation (CP) between now and August 31 to score land parcels which have been allocated as grassland, peatland or scrub/woodland, Eamonn Dempsey, Drystock Advisor in Tralee, shares the ins and outs of this assessment.
20 July 2024
Challenges and Indicators for Resilient and Sustainable Farming systems
Karen Daly and David Wall discuss the challenges and strategies for achieving environmental sustainability in agriculture, focusing on reducing emissions, improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and adopting new technologies.
20 July 2024
In pictures: Reeling in the years as Oak Park Crops Research Centre celebrates 60
Visitors from far and wide visited Teagasc Oak Park on Saturday, July 13, as 60 years of agricultural innovation were celebrated at the Teagasc Crops Research Centre.
19 July 2024
Farmers reminded to use slurry additives with a ‘solid scientific backing’
Slurry additives can help reduce emissions, but farmers attending the Farming for a Better Future Open Day at Teagasc Johnstown Castle were told to only use slurry additives with a solid scientific backing.
19 July 2024
Journey to more sustainable farming showcased at Johnstown Castle Open Day
A major Teagasc Open Day took place today, Tuesday, July 16, at the Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land Use Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.
16 July 2024
Huge amount of practice adoption required over next 10 years
The key technologies necessary to build resilient and sustainable farming systems were shared with visitors to Teagasc Johnstown Castle today, July 16, as part of the Farming for a Better Future Open Day.
16 July 2024
Growing Wild: Yellow Rattle, Bog asphodel, Devil’s bit scabious and marsh fritillary butterflies
Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity, focusing this time on Yellow Rattle, Bog asphodel, Devil’s bit scabious and marsh fritillary butterflies.
14 July 2024
Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Teagasc Partnering for Success
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and Teagasc are delighted to announce a new partnership to further enhance support for seafood companies, particularly in the area of food innovation and the bio-economy.
12 July 2024
AgNav sustainability support framework introduces new functionality
Natasha Browne, Siobhán Jordan and Jonathan Herron tell us about the new features of AgNav, a sustainability framework helping farmers develop action plans to achieve climate targets. The tool recently added a new Economic Breeding Index (EBI) forecasting function.
12 July 2024
Exciting Developments in Carbon Counting
Stuart Green, Remote Sensing Specialist, Teagasc Ashtown, explains that Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems are crucial for tracking and validating agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration.
11 July 2024
Reduction in agriculture emissions in 2023
Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023 report published today, July 9, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pointed to a reduction in the emissions from Irish agriculture.
09 July 2024