Grassland

Grass 10 Grazing Management Update: Preparing for Autumn Growth
On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses the importance of getting autumn build-up correct on your farm and has a grazing update from Eugene and Eoin Lawler, Co. Kildare.
11 August 2024

2024 fertiliser N performance during a difficult grass-growing year
There has been much debate as to why grass was not growing as anticipated during the last 4 months with many theories put forward as to the reasons why. Research from Teagasc, Johnstown Castle compares the performance of different nitrogen fertiliser types in this challenging environment.
09 August 2024

Sward diversification more effective for higher yields than some microbial fertilisers
A new scientific paper from Teagasc, UCC and international collaborators has shown diversification of the plant species in swards can be more effective than the application of microbial inoculants in supporting productivity in intensively managed grasslands.
08 August 2024

August Grass Management
Mícheál Kelly discusses the challenges and improvements in grass growth in 2024, factors affecting it, silage harvesting, slurry management, autumn grass planning, and lime application strategies.
08 August 2024
Interactive grass silage stock checker available
An interactive grass silage stock checker is available on the Teagasc website to aid farmers in the completion of a fodder budget for the upcoming winter.
06 August 2024

Act Now to Assess Winter Feed Demand and Plan for the Winter Ahead
Guidelines for assessing and planning winter feed requirements for livestock, including calculating fodder needs and managing fertiliser allowances.
06 August 2024

Graze on end
Grass varieties can now be evaluated on commercial grassland farms in Ireland; this system gives grassland farmers more relevant information regarding how varieties can contribute to their farms over time.
06 August 2024

Between a rock and a hard place
Stones must be removed from grassland soils for accurate carbon measurements, but this process can be arduous. Teagasc research is examining improved protocols for soil carbon calculations.
05 August 2024

Now is the time for lime
Stuart Childs highlights the importance of spreading lime to optimize soil pH and improve fertiliser response for increased grass production and reduced fodder costs, alongside guidelines for nitrogen application before the closed season.
29 July 2024

The grassland improvements at the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm
Chloe Millar, Jack Spillane, Michael Egan and Ciarán Hearn share details of how the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm has transformed in terms of grassland management since the lease was signed on the venture in 2022.
28 July 2024

Milestone reached as 300th edition of Grass10 digital newsletter published
The Grass10 Campaign has produced its 300th edition of the weekly Grass10 digital newsletter. The Grass10 programme, now in its second four year phase, promotes profitable and sustainable milk and meat production from grass on Irish farms.
24 July 2024

Top tips for making good quality baled silage
As contractors and farmers are busy saving baled silage when the weather allows, Ciaran Beatty, Drystock Advisor at Teagasc Castlerea, shares some topical tips to ensure that you make the best silage possible.
21 July 2024

Grazing update from Ballyvadin Research Farm
Joseph Dunphy discusses managing grass quality during July and he has a grazing update from Jack Spillane, farm manager in Ballyvadin Research Farm, Co. Tipperary.
11 July 2024

Budget and take action to secure fodder stocks
The results and key advisory messages arising from the Teagasc June Fodder Survey were presented to the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) on Monday, July 8.
09 July 2024

Grazing update from Michael Carroll from Co. Limerick
On this week’s Grass10 grazing management podcast, Joseph Dunphy has a grazing update from Michael Carroll from Co. Limerick, and discusses tips to increase your Average Farm Cover and improve grass quality on your farm.
06 July 2024

Dealing with current weather conditions on beef farms
As grass supplies have tightened on many farmers over the last few weeks, Martina Harrington, Manager of the Teagasc Future Beef Programme, shares key tips on building grass covers and fodder budgeting for the winter ahead.
05 July 2024

Time to review your winter feed situation
With PastureBase Ireland showing a 1.2t DM/ha reduction in total grass growth for the first six months of the year when compared to the previous five-year average, the Teagasc Grass10 team is advising farmers to complete a fodder budget to review their winter feed situation.
03 July 2024

Dairy advice: Dealing with the current low in grass growth rates
Grass growth continues to be stubbornly slow on many farms this year, writes Mark Treacy, Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, who looks at the three important areas of dairy cow intake, maintaining average farm cover and fodder budgeting for the winter ahead.
01 July 2024

Grazing update from 2023 winner of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses PastureBase data, Dry Matter % and Predicted grass growth, rainfall & soil temperatures for the week.
28 June 2024

Safety during Busy Times on the Farm
The summer is some of the busiest times on Irish farms with many essential activities taking place. Children are on holidays from school and may be out and about on farms. Martina Donnelly discusses ways to stay safe during this busy time.
27 June 2024

Weekly Grass10 Update with featured farmer John Phelan Co. Waterford
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Niamh Doyle discusses PastureBase data, Dry Matter % and Predicted grass growth, rainfall & soil temperatures for the week.
20 June 2024

From house guests to farm pests: The hidden impact of Daddy Long-Legs on agriculture
Have you ever noticed the delicate, spindly-legged insects known as ‘Daddy Long-Legs’ fluttering around your home?
16 June 2024

The many benefits of applying lime
With the deadline for spreading lime under the National Liming Programme extended out to 31 October 2024, John Enda Flannelly, ACRES Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris, looks at the many benefits applying lime on your farm can bring.
15 June 2024

Further extension to liming programme announced
A further extension to the date by which lime must be spread under the National Liming Programme has been announced.
13 June 2024

Refining emissions from grassland peat soils
Patrick Tuohy, Owen Fenton, Lilian O’Sullivan and Conor Bracken tell us about Teagasc research which has revised estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from grassland peat soils, reducing them from 9Mt to 3.9Mt CO₂e annually.
10 June 2024

Red clover - the dos and don’ts
Kevin O’Hara, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris, writes about the Red Clover Silage Measure, which many farmers have recently applied for. He also discusses the benefits and drawbacks of red clover.
09 June 2024

Answering the questions on ensiling mixed swards
More diverse swards have the potential to make a high-quality silage crop from reduced fertiliser input in the correct conditions. But high clover swards can be more challenging to ensile than typical perennial ryegrass crops.
08 June 2024

Summer Management of Grassland and Cattle
John Galvin, B&T Drystock Adviser, Galway Galway/Clare, discusses grassland management, breeding and herd management, reseeding, parasite control in cattle, and farm safety.
07 June 2024

Listen: Grass10 Update - Growth Predictions, and Farmer Insights
On the latest Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy covers PastureBase data, predictions for grass growth and rainfall. He also provides grazing management advice, including an update from featured farmer Arthur Sweetman in Co. Wexford.
07 June 2024

Doing the simple things right on the road to clover
The recently crowned Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year, Patrick O’Neill first commenced establishing white clover on his dairy farm in Co. Longford in 2018 – long before high fertiliser prices brought this legume’s nitrogen fixation benefits back into vogue.
06 June 2024