Forestry

Legal requirements for felling trees with Ash Dieback

Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is now widespread throughout our countryside and woodlands. It is estimated that up to 90% of ash trees will succumb to the disease. Forestry Advisor Kevin O'Connell outlines forestry owners responsibilities and the legal requirements with regard to this disease
10 September 2021

Small woodlands on dairy and drystock farms: Have your say on trees

Forests account for 12% of land area in Ireland. The government target is that forests will make up 18% of the land area by 2046. Rachel Irwin, Teagasc Walsh Scholar is surveying farmers to analyse their perceptions of, attitudes towards, and willingness to plant, trees on farms. Have your say here
08 September 2021

What is soil health and is it part of the solution to many of the challenges ahead in agriculture?

On the latest episode of The Environment Edge podcast, Dr Fiona Brennan Soil & Environmental Microbiology researcher with Teagasc based in Johnstown Castle tells us all about soil health.
06 September 2021

Forestry and taxation

In this video, Declan McEvoy, Head of Tax with IFAC explains taxation in relation to timber sales. He discusses VAT regulations and the difference between VAT registered and VAT unregistered farmers. Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer explains the different timber sale methods also
03 September 2021

Developing Rural Ireland - A History of the Irish Agricultural Advisory Services

A new book that documents the history of the Irish agricultural advisory services and its role in developing rural Ireland, was launched at a virtual event at Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, yesterday, Wednesday 1 September.
02 September 2021

Rural housing density in Ireland - Map of the Month

The August Map of the Month, created by Researchers David Meredith, Rob O’Hara and Jesko Zimmermann looks at the density of rural dwellings in Ireland. It clearly shows the impact of the road network, proximity to towns and cities, and general topography on residential housing density.
29 August 2021

Farm Forestry in Ireland

A farm forest provides many benefits, both financially and environmentally/socially. Forest options that can be incorporated on the farm include commercial conifers, broadleaves, native woodland, agroforestry and ‘forest for fibre’. Tom Houlihan, Forestry Specialist provides more information.
27 August 2021

Forest fungi

Exotic mushrooms produced from hardwood logs can be an extra income earner on many broadleaf forests. The demand for edible wild mushrooms is rapidly increasing. Most of the exotic mushrooms on sale in restaurants and supermarkets in Ireland are imported. Michael Somers, Forestry Advisor has details
20 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 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

Seed Storage, Stratification and Germination of Some Popular Forestry Trees

“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” ― Henry David Thoreau 1817 – 1862. Here, Oliver Sheridan, Teagasc Forestry Researcher discusses seed propagation
30 July 2021

Oak - King of the Forest

The oak has long been regarded as the King of the Forest. It's one of the most striking features in the Irish landscape. Many townlands are named after it, and also, two Irish counties, Derry and Kildare, are derived from the Gaelic word dair. Michael Somers, Forestry Advisor has an interesting read
23 July 2021

Farmer Health and Wellbeing

John McNamara, Teagasc Farm Safety Specialist looks at stress and Well-being in this video, along with Carlow IT Staff. Springtime can be a particularly stressful time of year. It's important to manage stress. So now this summer take the opportunity to rest, recover and make some time for relaxation
23 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

Farm Safety may not cost the earth but not doing it may cost your life

When we think of the wide range of tasks a farmer does each day it's easy to see that managing a farm and doing it safely is a challenge. Farmers must develop many skills to carry out these jobs competently. John McNamara & Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialists have low cost suggestions
21 July 2021

Tiredness Kills

Farmers are constantly surrounded by livestock and machinery and the hazards they pose. Additionally, many other hazards occur on farms such as working at heights or emptying slurry tanks. Penny Gavin, Teagasc / H.S.A./ UCD Walsh Scholar on Farm Safety advises on staying alert by avoiding tiredness
20 July 2021

How to sell timber - A harvester's perspective

Victor Barber, harvesting manager with Western Forestry Co-op gives some valuable tips when selling timber. He explains various timber sale methods, the importance of a pre-sales inventory and much more. This video was made for Virtual Talking Timber 2021.
16 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

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

Using NUDGE theory to improve Farm Safety

A leading USA expert will outline the potential of Nudge theory to improve Farm Safety at a Teagasc Webinar on Thursday, 1 July at 3pm. Dr Julie Sorensen, Director, New York Centre for Agricultural Medicine & Health (NYCAMH) will provide a seminar on research that applies Nudge Theory to farm safety
25 June 2021

Health for Sustainable Farming

Research by Teagasc along with National Centre for Men’s Health, IT Carlow and Waterford Institute of Technology indicates that farmers adopt health practices, as they get older. However, health issues can progress gradually, so the sooner health adoption takes place the better!
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

Thinning and selling my timber - a forest owner's experience

Tim Reddin is a forest owner from Co Waterford. He explains in this short video and article here what he has learned from thinning his forest three times and what to watch out for when selling timber.
18 June 2021

Risk Assessing Your Farm

Don't ignore safety issues on your farm! Serena Gibbons, Education Officer, Teagasc Galway/Clare issues a reminder about completing the Risk Assessment Document. She focuses on 3 main areas where the highest number of accidents and fatalities occur; namely - Tractors, Machinery and Livestock.
12 June 2021

Woodlands in Co Cavan

There is evidence of woodland in Cavan stretching back to ancient times. Today the remains of an old forest can be seen at Corratinner Lake, near Virginia. Kevin O'Connell, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer takes us back through historical records of the woodlands of Cavan up to the present day
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

Forest fences – keeping our forests safe

If animals get into a young forest they can cause serious damage to small trees. Without the protection offered by fences from a range of domesticated and wild animals, our forests risk being damaged irreversibly - economically and environmentally. Forestry advisor Noel Kennedy has advice
04 June 2021

Growing quality hardwood timber from our young broadleaf woodlands

Growing quality hardwood timber from broadleaf woodlands requires a selective management approach and it is therefore important to identify early the quality trees within the woodland. These trees are known as Potential Crop trees (PCTs). Ian Short & Jonathan Spazzi, Teagasc Forestry, have advice
28 May 2021

Farmers are part of the solution - Biodiversity Day 2021

Saturday May 22nd 2021 is International Biodiversity Day. The theme for this year is: 'We're part of the solution'. We’re all part of nature, so we must be part of the solution for biodiversity loss and climate change. What actions can farmers take?
22 May 2021

Talking Timber 2021 The Business of Forestry / how to sell timber

Talking Timber, the annual Teagasc timber marketing event to support forest owners in harvesting their conifer forests is in its 9th year. The main theme is “The Business of Forestry / How to Sell Timber”. This live 'Virtual Talking Timber' is on Tuesday 15 June. Liam Kelly Forestry Advisor has more
21 May 2021