Grassland
Minister McConalogue launches DairyBeef500 Campaign
DairyBeef500, a new programme focused on dairy beef production has been launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD. Dairy calf to beef demonstration farms have been selected throughout the country to illustrate key technologies. Read more details here
23 June 2022
Linear Biodiversity Habitats
Hedges, watercourses and field margins are important linear features that define the Irish farming landscape and provide food, shelter and movement corridors for our native wildlife. Linear Biodiversity Habitats featured in the June edition of the Teagasc Signpost e-newsletter. Find out more here
22 June 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 21st June 2022
A week ago marked the 200th Edition of the Grass10 newsletter. The Grass10 newsletter has evolved significantly since the 1st edition and there is nothing else like it for farmers involved in grassland management. The Grass10 team look at the 2022 Grass Growth Curve to date, and more this week
22 June 2022
Summer Mastitis – Risk increasing
Summer mastitis is normally associated with dry cows and heifers in the summer months (late June-mid September). Up to now temperatures have been cool but in the last week conditions became more humid, fly numbers are on the rise, so risk has increased. Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist advises
22 June 2022
Meet the Farmer - Peadar O'Driscoll
Peadar O’Driscoll from Churchcross outside Skibbereen is a monitor farm in the Teagasc Carbery Joint Programme as well as being a SignPost farmer in the national SignPost programme. David Purcell, Teagasc Dairy Advisor, Skibbereen, West Cork, has an update from Peadar's farm
22 June 2022
BEEF2022 Supporting Sustainable Beef Farming
Teagasc Beef 2022 open day takes place on Tuesday 5th July in Teagasc Grange Co. Meath. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Supporting Sustainable Beef Farming’. Find out from Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, all about what is happening on the day and why you should not miss this event
21 June 2022
Incorporating clover at Ballyhaise
In 2021 a new 5-year systems trial began looking at transitioning from high levels of Nitrogen (N) usage to low levels of imported N in Ballyhaise College. Donal Patton, Teagasc Ballyhaise gives an insight into this new research which looks at persistency of clover incorporated in grass swards
21 June 2022
Show Jessy your Farm Safety ideas and win!
Calling 4-12 year olds! Jessy the Sheep Dog, our Teagasc Farm Safety mascot, loves to help keep everyone safe on the farm so she wants to give 4 lucky winners a prize. Find out about the ‘Stay Safe with Jessy' art competition, how to enter and what you can win. Closing date for entries is 22 July
19 June 2022
Growing Wild - bluebells and guelder rose
Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity to look out for in the countryside. Here she shares some interesting facts of nature about bluebells and guelder rose
19 June 2022
New Teagasc Regional Reviews Published
Teagasc has published Reviews for each of the 12 Teagasc Advisory Regions. The reviews give an overview of the range of the agricultural and farming sectors in each region. The supporting advisory activities and education courses provided by Teagasc are also highlighted and available in the reviews.
19 June 2022
Meet Signpost and Future Beef farmer John Barry
John Barry farms with his father Jim in Newtown, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. His Teagasc Advisor is Michael Daly. John has an 80 cow suckling to store system, spring & autumn calving. He uses AI to breed replacements and quality export type weanlings but also uses a Charolais stock bull. Read more here
18 June 2022
It’s Time for Lime!
Weather conditions can be a major obstacle for spreading lime, especially during the latter half of the grazing season. Unfavourable weather conditions experienced in autumn hampers ability to get lime spread on the farm. Teagasc Kilrush, Advisor Niall Kerins gives advice on spreading lime earlier
18 June 2022
This is Beef Farming - Photo Competition
We know Irish beef farmers are passionate about what they do and we want to celebrate their hard work by giving away some prizes! Find out about the ‘This is Beef Farming’ photo competition, how you can enter and what you can win, here
17 June 2022
Newford Notes - Week of 4th June 2022
Tail paint patches are used on breeding heifers at Newford. Michael Fagan, Technician at Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm, Athenry has a breeding update and discusses recent beef heifer weighings. The 2022 born calves are thriving well and were weighed on 1st June. See details of these here also
16 June 2022
Grassland - Mixing it up!
Eamonn Patten, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe discusses the changing grass sward including the environmental and fertiliser-saving clovers and multi-species mixtures. He cites the benefits of mixed grazing and looks forward to the Sheep Open Day on Saturday 18th June for more information
16 June 2022
Grass10 200th Newsletter
The 200th edition of the Teagasc Grass10 newsletter was published yesterday, Tuesday, 14th June. The Grass10 newsletter has been published every Tuesday since 2018, using the grass measurements taken by grassland farmers around the country, and data obtained from PastureBase Ireland.
15 June 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 14th June 2022
Tuesday 14th June marked the 200th Edition of the Grass10 newsletter. The Grass10 newsletter has evolved significantly since the 1st edition in 2018. Watch the 200th Edition Video to get farmer reaction. This week get the regular updates, weekly checklist Featured farmer, Clover reporter & more
15 June 2022
Silage time on drystock farms
Good quality silage reduces requirement for meal feeding. Don't delay cutting date as quality will be impacted. Niall Kerins, Teagasc drystock advisor, Kilrush, Co. Clare emphasises the point of cutting silage early to achieve this. He has good preservation tips and advice as silage season continues
14 June 2022
Forestry – farm planning and integrating trees on the farm
Setting clear objectives and timely planning are essential for new farm forest enterprises. A range of planting options can be considered to meet financial, social & environmental enhancement objectives. Comprehensive supports are available from Teagasc as Tom Houlihan, Forestry Specialist explains
13 June 2022
Climate Actions for June
As we approach mid June it's time to check in with the Climate Actions for June, advised by the Teagasc Signpost team, and compare how we getting on with meeting the five actions set out for this month. The actions include; grassland fertiliser rates, grass clover swards, slurry and breeding advice
13 June 2022
Environment Newsletter - June 2022
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Dates for your diary; Biodiversity on farmland - Messages from the Teagasc biodiversity stand at Bloom; EIP update - MacGillycuddy Reeks EIP and Message from ASSAP - Controlling rushes
12 June 2022
Teagasc BETTER Sheep Farm – John Joe Fitzgerald
John Joe Fitzgerald, his wife Karen and children, operate a hill sheep farm in Baile an Lochaig West of Dingle in Kerry. Here Frank Campion, Teagasc, Athenry discusses how outdoor lambing of the hill flock went in 2022, why John Joe is Increasing the proportion of purebred hill ewes and grass update
11 June 2022
Heavy Soils Farm Walk - John Leahy
Attendees at this Heavy Soils Farm Walk taking place on Wednesday, 22nd June at 11am on the farm of John Leahy, Athea, Co. Limerick, V94 H7Y7 will gain an insight into the lessons learned on a commercial research farm over 10 years as part of the Heavy Soils Programme (HSP). Get more details here
11 June 2022
Teagasc research projects secure significant funding under latest announcement by DAFM
Eight different Teagasc led and collaborative projects will share in the latest round of research funding grants by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which cover areas including the agri-sector, food safety, human nutrition, food processing and sustainable crop production systems
10 June 2022
Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management graduation - 2021 Graduates
The 2021 Graduates of the Teagasc/UCD Level 7 Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course were presented with their diplomas at an awards ceremony at Teagasc Moorepark, recently.
09 June 2022
The importance of having a nutrient plan on your farm in 2022
Now more than ever the efficient use of all organic and chemical fertilisers is vital to supply fertiliser requirements and control costs on farm. Tom Deane, Teagasc Advisor, Enniscorthy looks at importing slurry to minimise fertiliser cost but advises on completing a Nutrient Management Plan first
09 June 2022
Milk Quality Farm Walk with The McCarthys
A farm walk will take place on the McCarthy Family Farm, Kilmurry, Feenagh, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick on Wednesday 15th June at 1.30pm. The McCarthy Family are the 2021 National Winners of the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. Get more details about the walk here
09 June 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 7th June 2022
This week's Grass10 Newsletter includes; Grass10 featured farmer-Oisin Gallen, Co. Donegal; the clover reporter with Kevin Moran plus Grass10 weekly tips on fertiliser for 2nd cut silage; weekly grass checklist; grass growth predictions, PBI figures, an emphasis on lime & the Teagasc Sheep Open Day
08 June 2022
Weed Control in Productive Grassland
Weed control is a key element of productive grassland and should involve the adoption of an integrated pest management plan approach where cultural control methods are considered before the use of pesticides. Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, Tralee has advice on how best to approach weed control
08 June 2022
Teagasc Green Acres Financial Performance Year 3
2021 was to be the final year of the Teagasc Green Acres Dairy calf to beef programme before it transitions into the new DairyBeef500 programme in 2022. The 12 Green Acres farmer participants will move into the new DairyBeef500 programme. Alan Dillon, Teagasc Beef Specialist has more information
08 June 2022