Grassland
The effect of sward type & nitrogen fertiliser application rate on milk & herbage production
There is renewed interest in the use of white clover in grazing systems due to its ability to biologically fix nitrogen (N). Brian McCarthy, Áine Murray and Fergal Coughlan, Teagasc, look into the effect of sward type and nitrogen fertiliser application rate on milk and herbage production.
25 November 2021
Making better grazing management decisions in 2022 – the PastureBase Ireland story
Enhanced grazing management has the potential to yield further improvements in milk production efficiency and nutrient use efficiency. The level of grassland measurement within PastureBase Ireland has grown substantially in recent years. Michael O’Donovan and Micheal O’Leary, Teagasc, examine this.
25 November 2021
Trying to make sense of the Climate Action Plan
The Climate Action Plan is aiming to reduce our total national emissions by 51% by 2030. Each sector of the economy has been allocated a budget. Enda O’Hart, Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Castlerea discusses two of the recently published sectoral budgets under the Climate Action Plan, impacting farmers
23 November 2021
Earlier Finishing in Practice
Climate commitments through the Climate Action Plan are set to have a fundamental policy impact on beef production over the coming decades. Colm Kelly, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinasloe answers common questions about finishing cattle earlier and the challenges he has encountered.
22 November 2021
The Signpost Series - Assessing Biodiversity Management Practices on Intensively managed farmland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, held on Friday, 5 November, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist to discuss assessing Biodiversity Management Practices on intensively managed farmland
21 November 2021
John Barry Signpost beef farmer on reducing emissions
This month we meet farmers that are engaging with their carbon footprint figure. Michael Daly, Teagasc Drystock Advisor, joins suckler farmer John Barry in Co. Tipperary, to analyse the results of his audit report from Bord Bia and suitable actions he can take to reduce emissions.
20 November 2021
Alex McCarthy Signpost dairy farmer on reducing emissions
This month we meet farmers that are engaging with their carbon footprint figure. Tom O'Connor, Teagasc Dairy Advisor, joins dairy farmer Alex McCarthy in Co. Limerick, to analyse the results of his recent Bord Bia audit and suitable actions he can take to reduce emissions.
19 November 2021
Are you considering converting to Organic Farming?
The Teagasc Organic Specialists are hosting a series of Autumn organic webinars covering various technical aspects of organic farming. The third webinar in the series, on Wednesday, 24 November at 7:30pm focuses on considering converting to Organic Farming. Two farmers talk about their experiences
18 November 2021
Clean Livestock policy - Sheep
Presenting lambs clean at the abattoir becomes more challenging as the year progresses particularly for those finishing outdoors as weather conditions deteriorate. Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist discusses the Clean Livestock Policy for sheep
17 November 2021
The Signpost Series - Biorefinery Glas and the potential of the bioeconomy to transform grassland agriculture in Ireland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 22 October, Mark Gibson, Teagasc was joined by James Gaffey, MTU; Johan Sanders, Grassa; and Bridget Lynch, Teagasc to discuss Biorefinery Glas and the potential of the bioeconomy to transform grassland agriculture in Ireland.
16 November 2021
Is the Tide Eventually Turning for Clover?
Dairy farmers are regularly asking their advisors what they are going to do about fertiliser next spring. They are aware that Nitrogen fertiliser looks to be scarce for next spring and if available, it will be at inflated prices. Teagasc Advisor John Hardy has advice on the some options for coping
14 November 2021
Decision time for Dairy Beef finishers- Feed or store?
The vast majority of 18-21 month old beef cattle have been housed at this stage. Alan Dillon, Teagasc Beef Specialist, answers the question on which stock to feed on to finish and which to store for a grass kill next summer/autumn. He advises weighing post housing as an obvious first step.
10 November 2021
Creating Our Future
I’m sure you have seen or heard ads for the Creating Our Future initiative, which is a campaign being run by the government of Ireland to find out from the public what they think we should be doing scientific research on in the future.
09 November 2021
Introducing the National Dairy Conference 2021
The National Dairy Conference is at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork and at Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th November respectively. Focusing on environmentally sustainable dairying, Specialist, George Ramsbottom, introduces farmer speakers Kevin Moran, Galway & Ger Pardy, Offaly
08 November 2021
Agriculture Climate Targets Challenging but Achievable
Teagasc is committed to continue its research and advisory programme supporting farmers to meet the reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions set in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.
07 November 2021
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter November 2021
This months newsletter provides a guide to the actions beef farmers can take to reduce emissions on their farm, including 2 Signpost Farmers, Alex McCarthy (Dairy) & John Barry (Beef), outlining their carbon footprint; A guide & link to the Dairy Energy Decision Support Tool; research update & more
06 November 2021
Focus on ewe body condition score sees lamb numbers up in West Cork
Denis O’Riordan, a BETTER Sheep farmer, farms approximately 280 hectares (690 acres) of hill & lowland in West Cork, with his wife Esther, daughters Abbie, Roísín & Órlaith, and his uncle, Donie O’Connor. Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Head of Sheep KT outlines the benefits of the 2021 farm practices
06 November 2021
Signpost Programme Farm Walk: Patrick & Paula O’Hanlon, Kerry
Patrick & Paula O’Hanlon's farm in Tarbert, is one of five farms in Co. Kerry partaking in the Teagasc Signpost Programme. A farm walk was held recently on their farm. Méabh Dore, Teagasc Dairy advisor recounts the most notable changes on the farm and the biggest learning outcomes from the day here
03 November 2021
Get to Know Your Soil Fertility
It is well known that grass is the cheapest source of feed on our farms. It is up to 3 times cheaper than silage and up to 5 times cheaper than concentrates. Advisor Patricia Lynch gives information on the importance of soil sampling to optimise grassland performance.
30 October 2021
Organic Dairy Farm Open Day on the banks of the River Barrow
Joe & Alicia Whitty have been farming organically for 14 years now, but the biggest change to their farming system came in 2015 when they converted their mixed beef/pigs and tillage operation to organic dairying. The Whitty family hold an organic farm walk on Wednesday November 3rd at 11am.
28 October 2021
Are your Climate Actions for October on track?
Are your Climate Actions for October on track? If not you can act now to apply lime, start closing paddocks, check out your carbon footprint for your farm, check your soil maps and apply K to low index soils or start taking soil samples and manage your hedges to allow some thorn saplings to grow.
26 October 2021
The Signpost Series - Implications of climate neutrality for agriculture, land use & forestry in Ireland
On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 8 October, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Dr. David Styles, University of Limerick to discuss the implications of climate neutrality for agriculture, land use & forestry in Ireland.
23 October 2021
Making plans with new BETTER Sheep farmer in Carlow
Eddie Gavin farms alongside his wife and family near Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow while also carrying out machinery contracting for local farmers. Eddie runs sheep, beef & tillage enterprises on farm. Frank Campion, Teagasc Research Officer, reports on Eddie's plans as a new Teagasc BETTER sheep farmer
22 October 2021
Cathal Moran's Teagasc/Glanbia Open Source Future Farm Walk
A farm walk with Cathal Moran, farmer participant in the Teagasc Glanbia Future Farm Programme took place on Friday, 1 October on his farm in Skeoughvasteen, Co. Kilkenny. See first-hand in a series of 8 mini-video clips how the day went and download the event proceeding here
21 October 2021
Calculating the Carbon Footprint of your Farm
The Environment is at the forefront of all our decisions now as we actively make positive moves to lowering Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). We know Greenhouse gases have a negative impact on our planet. Serena Gibbons, Education Officer Teagasc Athenry looks at how the carbon footprint is calculated
20 October 2021
Nutrient Loss & the Closed Period for Spreading Manure
The regulated closed period for spreading organic manures is often a source of frustration and annoyance for farmers. This is not surprising given the cost of manure storage and variation in Irish weather. Edward Burgess, Teagasc explains the research supporting the closed period restrictions
19 October 2021
Management to Control Docks on your Farm
The summer of 2021 provided excellent growing conditions and weeds grew brilliantly. Fields on many farms have dock problems. Greater focus is needed to prevent dock infestation and eliminate existing docks. Austin Callaghan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris examines aids to dock control here
18 October 2021
Soaring Fertiliser Costs proving Importance of Soil Fertility
Fuel shortages, spiraling costs, lack of labour and talks of power outages are among the topics that are covered when talking to farmers in the last few weeks. Keith Fahy, Teagasc Athenry advisor recommends soil sampling to identify lime deficiency and correcting this to reduce fertiliser bills
17 October 2021
John Ryan's Teagasc/Glanbia Open Source Future Farm Walk
A farm walk with John Ryan, farmer participant in the Teagasc Glanbia Future Farm Programme took place on Friday, 8 October on his farm in Gortnahoe, Co. Tipperary. John and his father Tom are farming 70 Ha near Gortnahoe, Co.Tipperary. In 2019, they milked 138 cows. Read more on the farm walk here
17 October 2021
Building a Farm Roadway
A well-designed, carefully built and properly maintained farm roadway system has many benefits, including, less lameness, faster and easier stock movement, less roadway maintenance, more efficient paddock access and more as Tom Fallon, Farm Buildings & Infrastructure Specialist outlines here.
16 October 2021