Grassland
Growth Watch: Finishing stock begin to move indoors
With grass growth rates hovering around the 30kg DM/ha/day mark on farms participating in the Teagasc Green Acres Programme, heavier stock are beginning to move indoors for a finishing period. Séan Cummins Teagasc GreenAcres Advisor, reports from programme farmers Peter O’Hanrahan and Aidan Maguire
15 October 2021
How I cut my hedges - Tony Mullins
Enhancing the biodiversity on your farms starts with the correct management of hedgerows. It’s a good time of the year to have a chat with your contractor before he / she starts cutting, providing the contractor with clear guidelines. This video provides more information on improving hedgerows
14 October 2021
Is your Autumn Rotation Planner on track?
Is your Autumn Rotation Planner on track? This is the question Martina Harrington, Beef Specialist asks in mid October, to check in with our Autumn Rotation Planner. She outlines targets & reasons why hitting the targets are important while Terry Carroll, Advisor explains the 60:40 planner
13 October 2021
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter October 2021
This months Signpost newsletter has a particular focus on where a farmer can access the carbon footprint for their farm. We feature some highlights of Moorepark Open Day. Catherine Keena provides a video and short note on hedgerow management. See Farmer profiles, monthly climate actions and updates
12 October 2021
Autumn Grassland Management Guidelines for Sheep
Philip Creighton Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry addresses the key points for managing autumn grass for sheep, closing up ground for the winter and planning for grass availability at lambing next March.
12 October 2021
Teagasc and Dairy Sustainability Ireland publish ASSAP interim report
The second Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) interim report was published recently. The ASSAP programme is a key part of a wider government and community effort to improve water quality in 190 selected priority areas for action (PAA’s) around the country.
11 October 2021
Environment Newsletter - October 2021
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Key management dates; Shop windows; Have that conversation; Know your derogation commitments; and EIP Update - Comeragh upland communities.
09 October 2021
How to improve the biodiversity value of your forest - Part 2
In the second of a two-part series of articles, Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer talks about how to improve the biodiversity value of your forest. He advises on tree species, open spaces, underutilised areas and interconnectivity between habitats here.
08 October 2021
Start Growing Your 2022 Spring Grass Now!
At a farm walk outside Tuam during the week the topic of preparing for spring grass in 2022 raised a few eyebrows when there was a visible abundance of fresh green grass on the farm. Gabriel Trayers, Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Tuam reports on a recent experience he had and advises to plan ahead
05 October 2021
Teagasc Green Acres Programme returns to live action
The first on-farm live open day of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme took place on September 29 on the farm of JP Hammersley in Lattin, Co. Tipperary. Alan Dillon and Seán Cummins, Teagasc Green Acres report here on the detail of the day's success.
04 October 2021
Irvine Allen - Teagasc Green Acres Farm Walk
Irvine Allen is a participant in the second phase of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme and runs a dairy calf-to-beef operation on his 58ha farm in Co. Westmeath. Irvine will host a farm walk on 5th October at 2pm and invites you to come see the improvements he has made in the enterprise
03 October 2021
Commuting before the pandemic
As some of us return to the work and college after 18 months of working from home, the September Map of the Month looks at pre-pandemic commuting patterns – highlighting how important regional towns are. It is interesting to think how the next survey of commuting will differ.
01 October 2021
Improving animal performance from grazed pasture
A pre-requisite to exploiting improvements in the nutritive value of pasture is the optimisation of pasture management practices. Researchers Michael Dineen and Micheal O’Leary discuss the methods of improving animal performance from grazed pasture.
30 September 2021
Did you fulfill your September Climate Actions?
Did you fulfill your September Climate Actions this month? If not there is still time for taking action to book a milk recording, spread lime on low pH soils, Apply potassium to low K Index soils, weigh replacement heifers, implement dosing & vaccination of young stock while focusing on grazing
29 September 2021
Teagasc advisors first in Europe to achieve new European Certificate
Two Teagasc advisors are the first in Europe to be awarded the European CECRA certificate. Marie Flynn, Dairy Advisor based in Moorepark advisory office and Cian Condon, Drystock & Goat advisor based in Teagasc Manorhamilton were presented with their certificates by Teagasc KT Director Dr Stan Lalor
28 September 2021
Cathal Moran's Teagasc/Glanbia Open Source Future Farm Walk
Join us on Friday, 1 October at 11am on the farm of Cathal Moran, Skeoughvasteen, Co. Kilkenny, R95 NY89 for a Teagasc/Glanbia Open Source Future Farm Walk. Pre-registration is essential as numbers are limited. Book your ticket here
27 September 2021
Comeragh Hill Sheep Farmers secures Biodiversity Funding
The Teagasc Comeragh Hill Sheep Discussion Group was awarded €118,720 for a one-year project. The group comprises 14 farmer members whose sheep graze over 4,000 hectares of the Comeragh mountains. The award was made in June by DAFM using the EIP model; it's focus is on promoting biodiversity
27 September 2021
Apply now for Pilot Soil Sampling Programme
Today, Monday 27th September sees the opening of a pilot Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme. This is a farm level soil sampling & analysis initiative which will provide farmers and their advisors with comprehensive details about the soil health and condition on their farms. Read how to apply here
27 September 2021
What is sustainable beef production? Are grass-based systems sustainable?
What is sustainable beef production? Are grass-based systems sustainable? These questions will be addressed during a webinar on Monday, 27th September 2021 at 12:30pm via zoom, involving speakers from research, advisory services and farming across Europe; hosted by the pan-European BovINE network
25 September 2021
Teagasc Green Acres Newsletter: Issue 6
This issue of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme e-Newsletter has an update on JP Hammersley, programme participant's farm; key management tips; a review of summer slaughter performance; and Teagasc Green Acres events. The Green Acres Calf to Beef e-Newsletter issued fortnightly.
24 September 2021
Growth Watch: Timely growth boost helps farms reach peak cover
Many farms in the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme have recorded strong growth rates over the past seven days. Séan Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisor, discusses farms reaching peak cover and gets updates from farmers Martin Connolly, Co. Roscommon and JP Hammersley, Co. Tipperary.
24 September 2021
Minister Heydon views sustainability research in Teagasc Johnstown Castle
Environmental sustainability is now central to all agricultural production in Ireland. Never before has there been more ask for technologies and tools for agriculture to meet the environmental challenges. These societal challenges are at the heart of research in Teagasc Johnstown Castle
23 September 2021
The dark mysteries of the soil beneath our feet
Soil is a complex matrix and its chemical composition often depends on the location in the landscape, the parent material underneath, and the influence of the management above. This article by Senior Research Officer, Dr Karen Daly, Teagasc Johnstown Castle first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm last week
23 September 2021
Autumn heifer management
September and into October, is a crucial time in the rearing cycle for replacement heifers. Grass growth starts to slow and grazing conditions tend to become more difficult. Records show heifer growth rates can also slow substantially so Martina Gormley, Dairy specialist has heifer management advice
20 September 2021
The Signpost Series - Combining catchment science & agricultural advice to improve local water quality
On this episode of The Signpost Series, held on Friday, 10th September, Mark Gibson, Teagasc ConnectEd Manager was joined by Cathal Somers, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor and Philip Murphy, LAWPRO Catchment Scientist to discuss combining catchment science & agricultural advice to improve local water quality.
19 September 2021
Teagasc Research on methane emissions in grazing dairy systems
Farmers visiting the Teagasc Dairy Open Day in Moorepark will see the latest work being carried out in Teagasc on ways to reduce methane emissions. Teagasc Researchers Ben Lahart, Katie Starsmore, Jonathan Herron, Frank Buckley & Laurence Shalloo outline how the GreenFeed units work.
16 September 2021
Dairy farm infrastructure for sustainable milk production
In recent years Teagasc has invested in research programmes aimed at identifying efficient farm infrastructure systems that will promote sustainable milk production. Patrick Tuohy & John Upton Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark discuss these here
16 September 2021
Reducing chemical nitrogen use on dairy farms
Dairy farmers visiting the Teagasc Dairy Open Day, yesterday and today in Moorepark, with the final day on Thursday 16th September, will hear from Teagasc researchers and advisers about the Five key practices which can be used to reduce N fertiliser use on all farms
15 September 2021
Grazing management to increase N use efficiency on Irish dairy farms
Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE;%) is a key indicator of agricultural system efficiency. It is defined as the proportion of the total N inputs, in feed, fertiliser, organic manures etc. that are recovered in milk & meat exports from the farm.
14 September 2021
PastureBase Ireland adds new functionality to benefit all grassland farms
Farmers attending the Teagasc Moorepark '21 dairy open day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week will hear about the increased functionality in PastureBase Ireland (PBI). PastureBase Ireland is the national grassland database and provides daily updates on grass growth across the country
13 September 2021