Grassland
Sowing multi-species swards
If you applied for the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine Multispecies Sward Measure, you may be interested in learning a little more about how best to sow multi species swards. The Teagasc Signpost team has summed up what you need to know in a factsheet here
07 June 2022
Time to start thinking about weaning
As we move into June we need to plan for weaning of mid-season flocks. The recommended age to wean lambs at in most grass based systems occurs at 14 weeks or 100 days so as they can transition over to a forage based diet. Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist discusses weaning options
07 June 2022
Lime – the forgotten fertiliser
Improving soil fertility, especially soil pH, leads to increased Nitrogen use efficiency and an increase the availability of soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for plant uptake. James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist sums up why it is so important to apply lime and why it makes financial sense
06 June 2022
Organics eNewsletter - Summer 2022
The first Teagasc Organics eNewsletter was recently sent to subscribers. The newsletter will issue every quarter with the latest information and news from the Teagasc Organics Programme. Subscribe here to get it delivered directly to your inbox every quarter.
05 June 2022
Growing Wild - whitethorn and cow parsley
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 whitethorn, also known as hawthorn, and cow parsley
05 June 2022
Taking Advantage of Growth Rates
The old saying goes that “a wet and windy May will fill the barn with corn and hay” and by all accounts, the current growth rates are living up to this saying. Advisor Míchéal Kelly has advice on how to make best use of this grass growth
04 June 2022
Soil and Fertiliser Advice for Equine Farms
Good grassland management is a key component of horse production, ensuring good quality grass during the grazing season, the production of quality forage to meet winter feed requirements, and healthier horses. Teagasc Specialists, Wendy Conlon, Equine and Mark Plunkett, Soil & Plant Nutrition advise
03 June 2022
Teagasc FUTURE BEEF Programme in Ballyheane Co. Mayo
Cathal Irwin is one of two Future Beef Farmers in the Mayo region. Cathal farms with his father Padraig, wife Bridgin and two children Conor and Síofra on the outskirts of Ballyheane, Co. Mayo, while also working full-time in his own business Advanced Safety in Castlebar.
03 June 2022
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter June 2022
In this month’s newsletter we present a factsheet on the establishment of multispecies swards; we profile 3 Signpost farmers; have timely climate actions for this month; some short video messages from HRH Prince Charles visit to Shane Fitzgerald's farm; The Environment Edge podcast and more
02 June 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 31st May 2022
The Grass10 team are delighted to see Pre-Grazing Yields come down on dairy farms as farmers remove surplus grass. This week's e-newsletter has a reminder to apply lime, has details of the Teagasc Sheep Open Day in Athenry on June 18th plus the Clover Reporter, Grass10 featured farmer & Weekly tips
01 June 2022
Feed budgeting and fertilising for second cut silage
With many crops of first cut silage taken over last weekend and further cuts expected in the latter half of this week as the weather forecast is dry, Martina Harrington, Teagasc Beef Specialist advises on fodder budgeting, fertilising for second cut silage and getting the last of the slurry out
01 June 2022
TResearch Summer 2022
TResearch is an official science publication of Teagasc. It aims to disseminate the results of the organisation’s research to a broad audience. Picture of health - Researchers are leading work to improve the health and happiness of animals on farms, as public interest in animal welfare increases
31 May 2022
Blowfly Control in Sheep
Flystrike is a production limiting, costly and sometimes fatal condition in sheep. When it comes to Blowfly strike the aim should really be to prevent it from happening in the first place. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc tells us more.
31 May 2022
Let's Talk Dairy - Steps to Making Quality Silage
On this episode of Let's Talk Dairy which took place on Thursday, 19th May, Stuart Childs, Teagasc Dairy Specialist discusses the steps to making quality silage.
30 May 2022
The Clover Reporter with Ger Pardy
The Clover Reporter in the Grass10 enewsletter will give weekly reports and videos from farmers who have a lot of clover established on their farms. This week The Clover Reporter is Ger Pardy, a dairy farmer in Co. Offaly.
28 May 2022
The Signpost Series - Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme and beyond
On this episode of The Signpost Series which took place on Friday, 13th May, Pat Murphy, Head of Environment KT, Teagasc was joined by Ted Massey & Leanne Roache, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM) Nitrates Division to discuss Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme and beyond.
28 May 2022
Silage walls: consider safety and capacity
Herd size has increased on many farms, but in many cases there hasn’t been a corresponding investment in silage storage. Silage pits on some farms are dangerously high. Farm Buildings and Infrastructure Specialist Tom Fallon has some advice on silage pit safety and capacity
27 May 2022
Teagasc Signpost Future Beef Farmers in Waterford
Eamon McCarthy and his son Donnchadh operate a bull beef finishing system, farming near Glendine, Youghal, Co. Waterford. Part of the farm is in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). They have a suckling to beef enterprise also. Catriona Foley and Aisling Molloy, Teagasc tell us more
26 May 2022
Control Grass Quality and Boost Profits
There is an old saying that “A wet and windy May fills the barn with corn and hay” and this certainly true this year. Grass growth rates have shown a 20% increase in the last week. High grass growth can be challenging for farmers. Teagasc Advisor Kay O'Connell has some advice on managing this growth
26 May 2022
Fertiliser Spreader - Tray test and field procedure Factsheet
Teagasc recently published a compendium of 20 factsheets providing the latest technical advice on soils, nutrients and fertiliser. The sixteenth of these is about the Fertiliser Spreader - Tray test and field procedure and can be read here. All 20 will be published here on Teagasc Daily
25 May 2022
Newford Notes - Week of 16th May 2022
Breeding season began on Wednesday the 20th of April and 100% AI is being used on the farm again in 2022. Michael Fagan Technician at Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm, Athenry outlines breeding details for the farm. He discusses some recent cattle weighings and reseeding with a multispecies mix
25 May 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 24th May 2022
The Grass10 e-Newsletter features; Grass10 featured farmer Sean O'Donnell, Co. Mayo, the clover reporter with Ger Pardy, Co. Offaly; a look back on the Getting to Grips with the Summer Wedge webinar plus Grass10 weekly tips and checklist; grass growth predictions, and more here
25 May 2022
Grass silage – why high feed value is essential
The production of high feed-value silage should always be the objective of producers who feed silage to lactating dairy cows, growing and finishing beef cattle, and pregnant ewes. For me, the target for high feed-value silage is a DMD of greater than 75% writes Dr. Tim Keady, Teagasc researcher
25 May 2022
New Teagasc study finds no impact of inhibitors on the soil microbiome
New research from Teagasc Johnstown Castle has demonstrated that there was no impact of urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), incorporated into protected urea fertiliser, on the structure and abundance of soil bacterial and fungal communities after 5 years repeated application
24 May 2022
Maximising lamb performance
Michael Gottstein, Head of Teagasc Sheep Knowledge Transfer Programme, summarises the five key management tips that sheep farmers should be taking into consideration at this time of year to maximise the performance of their lambs
24 May 2022
Making enough quality grass silage for dairy farms in 2022
With fertilizer Nitrogen prices at very high levels, our Teagasc dairy advisory staff have been receiving many queries this spring on the best strategy to keep the cost of silage down. Joe Patton, Head of Dairy KT, Teagasc has advice on fertiliser application and silage quality to address these
24 May 2022
Lambing review and planning ahead in the South East
Tim & Richard Sheil farm in partnership with their parents Terry & Olwen at Coolree, near Kiltealy on the Wexford/Carlow border in the shadow of the Blackstairs Mountain. James Doran, Teagasc advisor reviews how lambing went and takes a look at grazing season plans
24 May 2022
Teagasc Beef2022 Open Day Supporting Sustainable Beef Farming
The official launch of the Teagasc Beef2022 Open Day, themed Supporting Sustainable Beef Farming and planned for Tuesday, 5th July, took place at the Teagasc, Animal & Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Co. Meath, today Monday, 23 May. The Beef2022 Open Day is supported by FBD Trust
23 May 2022
Getting cows back in calf
Pauline O'Driscoll, Teagasc Dairy Advisor, Skibbereen, discusses the importance of nutrition for breeding, EBI and getting cows back in calf. While discussing the breeding season she has tips on targets, plans and goals and she lists bull selection targets to keep in mind
23 May 2022
The Jackson Organic Farm
In 2015 Ross and Amy Jackson began conversion to organic farming and now farm a cereal enterprise of malting barley and oats, and a sheep enterprise. In April they held an organic farm walk on their farm at Lacka, Carrig, Co.Tipperary. We catch up with them here to find out about their organic farm
22 May 2022