Forestry

Eternal Spring’s Hope
If oak comes before ash we’re in for a splash, if ash comes before oak then we’re in for a soak - a common saying as the timing of bud burst of ash and oak trees is supposed to be an indicator of the coming spring weather. John Casey Forestry Development Officer is full of the joy and hope of spring
03 March 2021

Additional resources to meet demand for Green Cert Courses | Teagasc Virtual College Open Days
Teagasc welcomes the recent announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., giving approval for the recruitment of 20 fixed term education staff to meet exceptional demand for Teagasc Green Cert courses.
27 February 2021

Are you interested in coming to a Teagasc College?
Interested in pursuing a career in the land and agri-food sector? Have you considered applying for a course at a Teagasc college? Teagasc colleges offer a wide array of full-time and part-time courses in agriculture, horticulture, equine, forestry and more. Sign up & Join our March Virtual Open Days
24 February 2021

Step-by-step guide to online forestry premium applications
The annual forestry premium is often an important, very welcome, source of income for a farm family. The most popular rate amongst farmers tends to be €510 per hectare per year for a period of 15 years. Steven Meyen, Forestry Advisor has a Step-by-step guide to online forestry premium applications
19 February 2021

The Forest Carbon Tool
Teagasc, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Forest Environmental Research and Services (FERS) Limited, have developed an indicative online Forest Carbon Tool. Tom Houlihan, Teagasc Forestry Specialist has more details
12 February 2021

Forestry Workshops: A new forest – getting started
Connect with your local Teagasc forestry advisor by registering for three informal online workshops to learn about starting a new forest. From Monday 15 February through March, landowners can join their local one-hour online workshops with Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department to find out more
12 February 2021

Creating a farm plan that secures your future in farming
Sometimes in order to be successful, a business must reset – Bob McNair. Farmers are a resilient breed - they have faced many challenges over the last few years. Farmers who hope to improve their business must plan. Farm Management Specialist James McDonnell has some advice and guidance
06 February 2021

A new forest – getting started
Teagasc will run a series of online workshops on forest establishment during February & March 2021 entitled “A New Forest – Getting Started”. It is a great opportunity to interact with your local forestry advisor to learn about starting a new forest. Liam Kelly, Teagasc Forestry advisor has details
05 February 2021

Young farm forests – time for a winter check-up
It's been a long winter and it’s still not letting go. But with Spring around the corner and nature about to burst into life, now is the time to check the progress of your young farm forest, to see what might need attention now and in the weeks ahead. Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry advisor has more
29 January 2021

Diversification of forest management systems in Ireland – using “marteloscope” sites to educate on new approaches
With a large number of private forests approaching thinning stage, there's now a greater need for owners to understand and control the thinning process, to realise the full value of their forests and promote a sustained level of timber mobilisation. Jonathan Spazzi, Teagasc Forestry Advisor outlines
22 January 2021

Teagasc Forest Carbon Tool
Forests play a major role in the capture & removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Teagasc's Forest Carbon online tool is a user-friendly way for existing and potential forest owners to calculate how much carbon can be removed in woodlands and highlights the important role of harvested wood products.
22 January 2021

Teagasc highlight Farm Diversification Opportunities
Farm Diversification is the establishment of a new enterprise on farm. It usually refers to a non-agricultural or novel enterprise. Many farmers and rural dwellers are interested in diversifying their farm enterprise. Teagasc has a suite of 79 Farm Diversification Factsheets and videos to help
21 January 2021

Norway spruce (Picea abies) – a very popular conifer in the midlands
Norway spruce is a European species native to most of central Europe but also occurs naturally as far east as Russia, south to the Pyrenees and north as far as Scandinavia. Liam Kelly, Forest Development Officer, Teagasc, Mullingar delights in outlining the benefits of his favourite conifer species
15 January 2021

Getting farm safety culture right
In 2020 19 farm workplace deaths took place on Irish farms.This compares with an annual average of about 20 per year over the last decade. Farm workplace injuries are particularly associated with tractors and machinery, livestock, falls from heights and objects falling as John McNamara points out.
10 January 2021

Farmers are rapidly upskilling in Information Technology
Charlie Devaney Teagasc Advisor Roscommon, encourages all farmers not to be afraid of change, to embrace technology and discover the benefits of accessing information and meetings online. Farmers and advisors alike are adapting to IT which has been accelerated through the Covid-19 lock-downs.
10 January 2021

Hemp for a Sustainable Future – Teagasc award at BTYSTE 2021 announced
Cian Walsh, a transition year student at St. Brogan's College, Kilbrogan, Bandon, Co. Cork, is the winner of the Teagasc award at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2021 (BTYSTE). Cian’s project looked at the social, economic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of growing hemp
10 January 2021

Seed Orchards
Seed orchards are output systems for the production of superior seed for breeding programmes and forestry establishment. While not the only means of seed production, they are probably the most widely used. Oliver Sheridan Teagasc Forestry, outlines seed orchard use in the improvement of Irish Birch
08 January 2021

5 Steps to taking a soil sample
Here in just five easy steps Edward Egan & Tara Heaney, Teagasc Meath Advisors, take us through the process of taking a soil sample correctly in order to get a reliable soil result.
08 January 2021

Teagasc at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE 2021)
Visit the Teagasc virtual stand in the ‘World of Science and Technology’ at BTYSTE 2021, taking place each day from 6th - 8th January at 9 am - 5.30pm. Find out more about the Teagasc prize that is awarded each year to an agricultural or food related project.
07 January 2021

Aim for Zero Farm Accidents in 2021
Aim for Zero farm accidents every day in 2021. An accident causes tragedy and leads to tragedy, pain and suffering, and possibly lifelong disability. It is in everyone’s best interests to put time and effort into preventing accidents.This is the message from John McNamara Health & Safety Specialist
02 January 2021

New findings in ash dieback research by Teagasc
Ash dieback is an invasive disease that is causing great damage to ash trees in Ireland and is likely to continue doing so in the following decades. Dr Miguel Nemesio-Gorriz, Research Officer, Teagasc Forestry discusses the findings of three studies carried out by Teagasc since 2017.
20 November 2020

The Embrace Farm Accident Support Network and how it can help
From 2010 - 2019, 214 farmers lost their lives through a farming accident. On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge Podcast, founding member of Embrace FARM (Farm Accident Support Network) Norma Rohan outlines the services it offers.
18 November 2020

Transferring the Family Farm Online Event
Join us on Tuesday, 17 November at 7:30pm for a short seminar on farm succession, led by Teagasc Farm Management Specialists followed by an opportunity to submit your questions to them privately and have them answered on a one to one basis.
14 November 2020

Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders ( MSDs) among Farmers in Ireland - Webinar
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a serious cause for concern for farmers. Research found that 57% of farmers lost full time workdays, with over 22% losing 15 days or more. Join the webinar on Thursday, 29th October to get advice and information on prevention of MSDs
27 October 2020

Guidelines for the management of productive Sitka spruce crops
Many crops of Sitka spruce planted in the 1990’s on out farms are now showing exceptional growth rates, which require earlier management than crops traditionally planted on more marginal ground. Dr Niall Farrelly, Teagasc Forestry Senior Researcher gives some guidance on the management of the crops.
28 August 2020

Child Safety on Farms
Health and Safety Authority figures tell us that sadly 21 children lost their lives as a result of farm accidents in the past 10 years. Over 80% of childhood deaths on farms had a farm vehicle or a machine involved.
22 July 2020

Managing native woodland resources on our farms
To fully appreciate how valuable native woodlands are for our well-being and for biodiversity, take a slow walk through a mature oak and birch woodland during a full bloom of bluebells and just breathe in the fragrant air.
27 June 2020

Teagasc launches - ‘A Forest to Suit Every Farm’ booklet
Teagasc has launched a new booklet, ‘A Forest to Suit Every Farm’, which highlights innovative approaches and experiences of forest owners across Ireland.
20 June 2020

Farm Forests – Delivering on Biodiversity and Water Quality
Farm forests are a multi-functional resource – delivering for timber production, as a land use resource and offering favourable financial returns. Forestry Specialist Tom Houlihan gives information on their contribution to biodiversity and water quality.
13 June 2020