Grassland

Planning for Fodder Stocks Factsheet
Teagasc recently published a compendium of 20 factsheets providing the latest technical advice on soils, nutrients and fertiliser. The eleventh of these is about Planning for Fodder Stocks and can be read here. All 20 will be published here on Teagasc Daily
24 April 2022

Future Beef Grass Update with Aonghusa Fahy
Mícheál Kelly, Teagasc Drystock advisor, Athenry, is on the farm of Aonghusa Fahy, Future Beef Programme participant in Tullira, Ardrahan, Co. Galway to discuss his current grassland management in a video here. Catch up on his breeding plans too in the latest BeefEdge podcast.
22 April 2022

The Clover Reporter is Trevor Boland
This week the Clover Reporter return to Trevor Boland for an update on his current grass situation and to find out his clover management plan for existing and new swards. Trevor's Top Tip for Clover in April: Graze paddocks down tight and follow with clover by oversowing, using half rate nitrogen
21 April 2022

Save Slurry for Silage Fields
Christy Watson, Teagasc drystock advisor, Co. Kildare, has good advice here in this article and video on recycling slurry from the farm back onto the silage fields in planning for next winter's fodder. Slurry can provide much of the Phosphorus and Potassium requirements for silage and reduce costs
21 April 2022

Would you like to work as a Farm Research Technician with Teagasc?
Teagasc has a vacancy for a Farm Research Technician (Temporary contract) at Clonakilty Agricultural College, Co Cork. Candidates must have a QQI Level 6 qualification in agriculture/dairy herd management or equivalent qualification. Read for details of post and salary. Closing date 27th April 2022
21 April 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 19th April 2022
In this week's Grass10 e-Newsletter the Grass10 team introduce the 2021 Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards with Grass10 Featured Farmer -Colin Doherty Overall and Dairy GFOTY 2021. Aidan Maguire was crowned 2021 Drystock GFOTY. Also get the regular Grass10 Weekly Checklist, PBI figures and more
20 April 2022

Summer weight gains critical with input price uncertainty
The efficient utilisation of grazed grass forms the backbone of profitable calf to beef systems. Depending on the steer or heifer system being employed, it can account for between 52% and 73% of the animal’s overall diet. Sean Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisor discusses summer weight gain
20 April 2022

Peter O'Hanrahan Signpost DairyBeef farmer
Peter O Hanrahan operates a dairy calf to beef system in partnership with his father Thomas in Kiljames, Thomastown, Co.Kilkenny. Enda McLoughlin, Teagasc Drystock Advisor, sums up grassland management, soil sampling, Preparation for Calves arriving on the farm and Health and Vaccination programme
20 April 2022

Olivia Hynes Signpost Update - March
Olivia Hynes is a Future Beef farmer in Jamestown, Four Roads, Co. Roscommon participating in the Signpost programme. We get the March update on how she is progressing with growing grass and closing for silage, calving, grass demand, slurry and grass utilisation on the farm.
19 April 2022

Over-sowing white clover in sheep swards
White clover has the potential to reduce the amount of chemical nitrogen fertiliser required for grass production and also has been shown to improve lamb performance when included in grazing swards. Philip Creighton, Teagasc Researcher, Athenry discusses over-sowing white clover in sheep swards
19 April 2022

Environment Newsletter - April 2022
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Dates for your diary; Wild bird cover - sowing and management; Message from ASSAP - Time to check silage storage; and details on the new training scheme - Agri-Environment Training Scheme (AETS).
16 April 2022

Clover
With input costs increasing in 2022, this is an important year for grassland farmers to renew their emphasis on clover establishment, but combine this with improved grazing management. Teagasc Advisor Joanne Masterson has some advice on establishing and managing clover
16 April 2022

Grassland Farmer of the Year 2021
The Overall Winner of the Grassland Farmer of the Year 2021 is Colin Doherty, Adare, Co Limerick. The awards recognise and reward the top grassland farmers in the country who are growing and utilising more grass on their farms in a sustainable manner.
15 April 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 12th April 2022
This week's Grass10 e-Newsletter includes: PastureBase Ireland - Dairy and Drystock Figures; Predicted Grass Growth & Soil Temperatures; Grass10 Weekly Checklist; Grass10 Featured Farmer - Michael Gowen; The Clover Reporter with Trevor Boland; and information on the Clover Farm Walk Series.
13 April 2022

SmartCow Project linking European Research Infrastructures successfully
The SmartCow final conference took place on Wednesday, 6 April in Brussels, with the findings from the SmartCow consortium during the past four years presented.
12 April 2022

Sustainability Training Programme for Farmers and Co-operatives wins Top Accolade at National Training Awards
A ‘game changing’ new programme addressing the training and development needs of co-operatives and their farmer members and producers, as they work to reduce their carbon footprint, has won the prestigious Pearse Walsh Award.
11 April 2022

The Clover Reporter is Jim White
This week's The Clover Reporter returns to the farm of Jim White, Clonmel Co. Tipperary. Jim recently held a Clover Farm Walk on his farm. He outlines his clover plan for 2022 and his top tip for Clover in April.
10 April 2022

Managing Roadside Trees
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has published guidance on managing roadside trees. Written by a panel of experts convened by the Tree Council, it presents a simple six-step process for landowners to follow. Co-author Eileen Woodbyrne summarises the advice and guidance in the booklet
09 April 2022

Fertilising for First Cut Grass Silage Factsheet
Teagasc recently published a compendium of 20 factsheets providing the latest technical advice on soils, nutrients and fertiliser. The tenth of these is about Fertilising for First Cut Grass Silage and can be read here. All 20 will be published here on Teagasc Daily
09 April 2022

LIME – The Cheapest Fertiliser in 2022
Lime application was, and is always the starting point of good soil nutrient management. Austin Callaghan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris, describes it as the engine oil of our soils. With the great hike in fertiliser prices Austin has advice on making the best of lime this year
08 April 2022

Beef Strategies for 2022
This year has seen price inflation particularly on key inputs such as fertiliser, feed and projected contractor costs. This creates another challenging year for beef farmers who have shown significant resilience to date. Colm Kelly, Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Ballinasloe suggests ways to manage this
08 April 2022

Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter April 2022
In this month’s newsletter the climate action focus is on securing silage stocks for next winter in the context of high fertiliser prices. The newsletter outlines a blueprint for incorporating clover successfully into a grassland sward. Check out the Signpost farmers featured, soil health and more
08 April 2022

Newford Notes - Week of 28th March 2022
With one cow left to calve Michael Fagan, Technician at the Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm, Athenry, summarises how it all went. There are no health issues on farm and 75 cows and calves are out at grass. Cows are cycling and have been tailpainted. Two rounds of protected urea has been applied
07 April 2022

Climate Actions for March/April
Get advice from the Signpost Team summarised in Climate Actions for Grassland Farmers for March/April. There is a focus on winter feed budgeting and how to calculate your silage requirement. Get food and fodder security information for drystock and dairy farmers.
07 April 2022

Securing Winter Fodder Reserves – A priority for the Future Beef participants
Gabriel Trayers, Future Beef Programme advisor discusses Securing Winter Fodder Reserves – A priority for the Future Beef participants here. It is vital that all farmers plan to make top quality silage, which is what Shane Keaveny Future Beef participant in Co Roscommon is aiming for
06 April 2022

Grass10 Newsletter - 5th April 2022
This week's Grass10 newsletter has the Teagasc Clover Farm Walks upfront. Book your spot here. Get predicted growth & soil temperatures, the Grass10 weekly checklist, walk your farm every 5 days - one of the Grass10 weekly tips, featured farmer Oisin Gill, The Clover Reporter with Jim White and more
06 April 2022

Red Clover Silage Measure
The Red Clover Silage Measure (RCSM) aims to encourage farmers to sow red clover silage swards. A payment will be made to participating Co-op/Agri-retailers to assist farmers with the cost of buying red clover silage sward seed mixtures. This will help with the establishment of these swards
06 April 2022

Extension announced to Multi Species Swards Measure applications
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has announced a short extension to the closing date for its Multi Species Swards Measure (MMS). The Measure, aiming to encourage farmers to sow multi-species swards, will now close at midnight on 14 April, the same day as the Red Clover Silage Measure
05 April 2022

Clover usage reducing Nitrogen surplus on Grassland farms
A series of 12 Clover farm walks organized by Teagasc across the country commenced today, Tuesday, 5 April. The farm walks will highlight the beneficial role that white clover is playing on grazing farms.
05 April 2022

Temporary fencing for sheep
Although temporary fencing has become an integral part of the grazing infrastructure on some sheep farms, it is still an underutilised management tool for many others. Ciarán Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist outlines the benefits and how to go about setting up temporary fencing for sheep on your farm
05 April 2022