Grassland

Drafting well under way in Co. Louth
Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist and Hugh Rooney, Teagasc Advisor catch up with long-time participant in the Teagasc BETTER Farm Sheep Programme, Peadar Kearney. Farming near Louth village, Peadar runs a closed flock of 300 crossbred ewes plus replacements.
28 August 2021

Growth Watch: Deadline approaches for nitrogen and phosphorous applications
James Fitzgerald & Séan Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisors, discuss the approaching deadline for applications of chemical nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers. They also get updates from farmers Pat Collins, Co. Cork, and Irvine Allen, Co. Westmeath.
27 August 2021

Time for Spreading Lime
The benefits of correcting a lime deficiency are numerous. Lime can be safely spread any time of the year but planning and a more proactive approach to lime application would help increase application rates. John McCarthy, Teagasc/Dairygold Joint Programme Advisor has some advice on spreading lime.
26 August 2021
Fodder Budget – Planning for Winter 2021
Now as the silage season approaches completion, it’s a good time to take stock of the amount of fodder in the yard. This exercise will highlight the amount of fodder you have and if you have enough for the stock you plan to carry over the winter. Eddie Webb has advice on how to do a fodder budget
25 August 2021

Pollution Prevention on Farm Roadways
A well designed and well maintained farm roadway has many benefits which must include pollution control. Farm roadways are widely acknowledged as a significant run off pathway. Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor, Tralee, has advice here on roadway layout to avoid run off to watercourses
23 August 2021

Endangered Corncrake making a welcome return
Corncrake numbers have declined in recent times, however they have increased again in 2021. Joanne Masterson, B&T Drystock Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, discusses corncrake friendly mowing and the Corncrake LIFE Project Scheme. She also sheds light on the future of this bird species.
22 August 2021

Goats don't like the rain!
Goats don’t like the rain. Marion Roeleveld, Killeen Farmhouse Cheese had goats out grazing, but when it rained they would run back into the shed. They were very bad grazers and very susceptible to parasites. Anne Kinsella, Teagasc Rural Economy, brings us this insight into making goat's cheese
20 August 2021

Growth Watch: Finishing at pasture commences
James Fitzgerald & Séan Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisors, discuss how farmers in the programe are lessening the costs associated with winter finishing by moving to finishing stock off grass prior to housing. They also get updates from farmers Aidan Maguire, Co. Meath, & Shane Cranny Co. Carlow.
19 August 2021

Multi-species swards grow more forage with less fertiliser, even under drought conditions
Six-species swards outperformed perennial ryegrass monocultures and were considerably more resistant to drought. New research from Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and Trinity College Dublin shows that multi-species mixtures out-yielded perennial ryegrass which received double the amount of fertiliser
18 August 2021

Assessing supply and demand for the autumn rotation
As we move into the latter part of August it’s important we start to plan and implement an autumn grazing plan on farms. Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, discusses grassland management, assessing the flock's grass demand, and building grass supply.
17 August 2021

Keep your dairy calves thriving this Summer
At this stage of the year it is time to review the progress of our replacement heifers (or all dairy bred calves) as they are the future of our milking herd. Here Martin Doyle, Teagasc Advisor, Enniscorthy has advice for management at grass, to ensure calf weights stay on track in late summer
16 August 2021

Increasing soil pH reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions
A new scientific paper from Teagasc has shown that getting soil pH right through a liming programme can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The Teagasc Signpost Programme brings this important fact to our attention here
15 August 2021

Growth Watch: Planning for the Last Round of Grazing Begins Now
James Fitzgerald & Séan Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisors, give advice on planning for the last round of grazing & common problems that occur at farm level when achieving the desired rotation length. They also get updates from farmers Richard Long, Co Waterford, & Martin Connolly, Co Roscommon.
13 August 2021

Building Autumn Grass
In a recent edition of the Let's Talk Dairy Series, Stuart Childs interviewed John Douglas, Teagasc Grass10 Advisor, about setting up the farm for Autumn grass. Extra grazing days in the autumn are achieved by building grass cover during August. See the environmental benefits and get key tips here
11 August 2021

Sustainable Cattle Production Systems Showcased
The British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston joined the IFA President Tim Cullinan for a visit to the Teagasc Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation centre, Grange, County Meath yesterday, Tuesday, 10 August to see the latest Teagasc research into sustainable pasture-based beef production
11 August 2021

Focus turns to Building Grass for the Autumn
John Greaney, Dairy Advisor on the Teagasc/Aurivo Joint Programme turns his focus to Building Grass for the Autumn as he outlines Autumn grazing targets and gives advice for high and lower stocked farms. John emphasises the importance of grass measuring and having a plan. Read more here
09 August 2021

Complete a Fodder Budget now to Correct Winter Silage Deficits
James Concannon, Walsh Scholar highlights that a fodder budget is an effective tool when it comes to quantifying fodder requirements for your farm this Winter. Now is the best time to take action regarding your Winter fodder so any deficits can be addressed due to the grass still growing.
08 August 2021

High Genetic Merit Belclare Sires Having the Desired Effect
Francis Gonley and his family run an all sheep farm on the outskirts of Sligo town. The farm is part of the Teagasc BETTER Farm Sheep Programme. Damian Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, reports the latest on sheep performance and farm plan progress.
07 August 2021

Growth Watch: Building Bank of Autumn Grass Starts Now
James Fitzgerald and Séan Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisors, give advice on using the break in weather to boost on growth in August and build grass reserves on your farm. They also get updates from farmers Ciaran Bartley, Co. Limerick, and Peter Byrne, Co. Kildare.
06 August 2021

Signpost Programme Update
Our demonstration farmers are currently engaging with the National Farm Survey (NFS) recorders. This month's research update is on the importance of getting soil pH right. Take a look at the warming stripes for Ireland from 1901 to 2020
06 August 2021

Environment Newsletter - August 2021
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Low-input grassland; Message from Signpost - Why do farmers need to engage with climate action?; and Message from ASSAP - Tillage cover/catch crops can help water quality
06 August 2021

Five reasons for farmers to engage with climate actions
Climate change is perhaps the greatest environmental challenge facing the world right now. Climate change is already happening with increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and rising sea levels. Irish Agriculture contributes to 35% of the greenhouse gases produced in Ireland.
04 August 2021

Why farm soils cause greenhouse gas emissions - and how to fix it
Hands up who is interested in soil? Anyone? Anyone at all? Tumbleweeds might roll past unless you are addressing a room full of avid gardeners and land managers. This article by Rosie O'Neill, Teagasc Walsh Scholar first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm.
01 August 2021

Soil Sealing in Ireland
The July Map of the Month looks at the important issue of soil sealing in Ireland. Soil sealing is where the ground is covered with an artificial impervious layer - such as concrete. The map was produced as part of the new Terrain-AI project.
31 July 2021

Reseeding: The final piece of the jigsaw in Co. Carlow
Shane Cranny operates a calf to beef system in Myshall, Co. Carlow, where 70 autumn-born Holstein calves are purchased annually. Here Seán Cummins, Teagasc Green Acres Advisor shares some insight into Shane's farm and we get in-depth reseeding information from Shane himself in a short video
31 July 2021

Growth Watch: Rain to give much needed respite, but challenges persist
The extended dry spell has posed many challenges to the farmers in the Teagasc Green Acres Programme. James Fitzgerald & Séan Cummins, Teagasc GreenAcres Advisors, give advice on dealing with cattle in different weather conditions. They also get farm updates from JP Hammersley & Irvine Allen.
30 July 2021

Soil health physical examination
TEAGASC researchers at Johnstown Castle and Oak Park, along with collaborators from UCD, have developed soil physical health tools to use at field or national monitoring network scales. Research Officers Owen Fenton, Dermot Forristal & Giulia Bondi bring us fascinating insight into Soil Health here
30 July 2021

Nitrogen Loss to Water in Agricultural Catchments
Every four years the Nitrates Directive is reviewed and changes are made to the regulations. 2021 is such a year. In Teagasc, the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) studies water quality in 6 contrasting catchments across the country. Edward Burgess ACP, discusses some ACP study results here
29 July 2021

Fertiliser advice under prolonged dry soil conditions
Over the last 6 to 7 weeks soil moisture deficits (SMD) have continued to increase due to low rainfall in many parts of the country. At SMD above 50 mm growth becomes restricted. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist discusses Fertiliser N Application decisions in dry conditions
28 July 2021

Planning in preparation for weaning- how to prevent pneumonia?
With spring calving herds weaning calves in September-October, now is the time to plan your vaccination programme. Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, highlights that the number one cause of mortality in weanlings in 2020 was pneumonia and she has advice to prevent it on your farm here
28 July 2021