Forestry

Cork Student wins Teagasc award at BTYSTE 2022 – Potential of nematodes to replace pesticides

Johannah Pigott, a Transition Year student from Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk, Co. Cork, is the winner of the Teagasc award at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2022 (BTYSTE). Johannah’s project looked at the potential of nematodes to replace chemical pesticides.
14 January 2022

Can we assume all fires are bad? Not necessarily so..

Fire has been used for centuries to effect desired changes in vegetation conditions; enabling rapid removal of unwanted, dead or less productive vegetation from land, and creating favourable conditions for new growth. John Casey & Catríona Foley, Teagasc discuss prescribed or controlled burning
14 January 2022

Firewood production

Jonathan Sykes runs tourist accommodation with his wife Betty in Springfield, Co Limerick. They planted twenty hectares of broadleaf woodlands twenty years ago. Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer looks at firewood income potential and the business of firewood at Liston Fuel Logs
07 January 2022

A Historical View of Woodlands in Ireland

Twenty thousand years ago, Ireland was almost completely covered by a thick ice sheet, stretching south west from Scotland. Woodland history effectively began about 10,000 BC. Kevin O’Connell, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer gives an account of our woodlands from the first trees to the present
31 December 2021

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

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

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

The new “marteloscope” training network

Jonathan Spazzi, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer explains the new “marteloscope” training network: enhancing forest owners’ confidence and ability in managing diverse forests. He defines “marteloscope”, describing the plots, what the course entails and a farmer gives his experience of it here
17 December 2021

Are you competent to operate a chainsaw safely?

Inevitably, some on-farm trees will have blown down following Storm Barra. Why not check out advice on operating a chainsaw safely on the Teagasc Forestry website page, before considering any clean-up activities? John Casey, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer provides chainsaw guidance here
10 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

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

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

Trying to make sense of the Climate Action Plan

The Climate Action Plan is aiming to reduce our total national emissions by 51% by 2030. Each sector of the economy has been allocated a budget. Enda O’Hart, Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Castlerea discusses two of the recently published sectoral budgets under the Climate Action Plan, impacting farmers
23 November 2021

Leaving a legacy - the many rewards of good forest management

Peter Reid is a forest owner near Clane, Co. Kildare, who has developed a beautiful oak forest for himself and future generations to enjoy. Liam Kelly, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer says there has been increased interest in the planting of more native species in recent years and explains why
19 November 2021

Forests helping to re-connect with nature

Now more than ever, individuals and society are questioning “the meaning of life” and seeking answers. A new native woodland in Roscommon offers a re-connection with nature. Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry Advisor takes us to Seán Butler's recent plantation at Hillside Holistic Farm
12 November 2021

Creating Our Future

I’m sure you have seen or heard ads for the Creating Our Future initiative, which is a campaign being run by the government of Ireland to find out from the public what they think we should be doing scientific research on in the future.
09 November 2021

Agriculture Climate Targets Challenging but Achievable

Teagasc is committed to continue its research and advisory programme supporting farmers to meet the reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions set in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.
07 November 2021

Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load

Last week was European Week for Safety & Health at Work themed: ‘Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load’ - part of the Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2020-22. Francis Bligh & John McNamara, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists take this opportunity to advise on avoiding work-related injury on the farm
02 November 2021

Breeding to develop Ash genotypes tolerant to dieback disease

The European common ash is one of our most important native broadleaf tree species. In Teagasc, an ash-breeding programme to develop dieback tolerant genotypes started in 2015. Dr. Dheeraj Rathore, Teagasc Forestry Researcher has more information.
29 October 2021

The Signpost Series - Implications of climate neutrality for agriculture, land use & forestry in Ireland

On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 8 October, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Dr. David Styles, University of Limerick to discuss the implications of climate neutrality for agriculture, land use & forestry in Ireland.
23 October 2021

Forests and farming – working together to protect water quality

Trees and forests offer an array of positive environmental functions. Protecting water quality is one of the most important and one that can hugely benefit farming. Noel Kennedy, Forestry Development Officer discusses how farming and forestry can benefit and improve water quality.
22 October 2021

Do health when you are Young

On the final day of Ag Mental Health Week John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist looks at the health priorities of young farmers & advises that the younger the age that you start adopting health gain practices the better. He discusses Irish research in the last of his four articles
16 October 2021

Securing Positive Mental Health in Farming

Ag Mental Health Week runs to Saturday, Oct 16. This week Teagasc Daily brings you short articles from John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist, reminding farmers and all working in agriculture of the importance of mental health awareness. Article 3 focus is: Securing Positive Mental Health
14 October 2021

Don’t feel Impregnable - look after your Health

Ag Mental Health Week runs from Oct 10 to Saturday, Oct 16. All this week Teagasc Daily will bring you series of 4 short articles from John McNamara Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist, reminding farmers and all working in agriculture of the importance of mental health awareness. Read the second here
13 October 2021

How to improve the biodiversity value of your forest - Part 2

In the second 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 tree species, open spaces, underutilised areas and interconnectivity between habitats here.
08 October 2021

Management of Young Broadleaves

Kevin O'Connell, Forestry Advisor, examines the factors that will help us to grow quality timber from a broadleaf woodland. He discusses the importance of planning, site conditions, suitable seed provenance, site layout, management of the young trees and formative shaping.
01 October 2021

Commuting before the pandemic

As some of us return to the work and college after 18 months of working from home, the September Map of the Month looks at pre-pandemic commuting patterns – highlighting how important regional towns are. It is interesting to think how the next survey of commuting will differ.
01 October 2021

Teagasc advisors first in Europe to achieve new European Certificate

Two Teagasc advisors are the first in Europe to be awarded the European CECRA certificate. Marie Flynn, Dairy Advisor based in Moorepark advisory office and Cian Condon, Drystock & Goat advisor based in Teagasc Manorhamilton were presented with their certificates by Teagasc KT Director Dr Stan Lalor
28 September 2021

Apply now for Pilot Soil Sampling Programme

Today, Monday 27th September sees the opening of a pilot Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme. This is a farm level soil sampling & analysis initiative which will provide farmers and their advisors with comprehensive details about the soil health and condition on their farms. Read how to apply here
27 September 2021