Grassland
Keeping on the Right Side of the Wire
Although the weather last week slowed down grazing on many farms, some farmers flew through area over the past 2-3 weeks. Make sure you don’t run out of grass and stay on track, to keep grass in the diet & set up the farm for the 2nd rotation. This is the advice from the Pasturebase and Grass10 team
17 March 2021
Grass Tetany in Ewes
Grass Tetany is a common disease of lactating ewes during the spring time. It is an acute and frequently fatal condition that primarily affects lactating sheep at grass. This condition is caused by a deficiency in blood magnesium levels. Michael Gottstein, Teagasc, Head of Sheep has more information
16 March 2021
Using LESS Gives More from Slurry
Cattle slurry is a valuable source of N, P & K produced on farm. Nitrogen (N) in cattle slurry is in a similar ammonia form to N in urea & is easily lost to the atmosphere. Teagasc Advisor Mark O'Sullivan has valuable information on the benefit of using trailing hose or trailing shoe to apply slurry
14 March 2021
Fertilisation of clover swards
The use of clover in grassland to replace fertilizer N can substantially lower greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from pasture-based production. James Humphreys, Researcher and Dan Barrett, Farm Manager, outline Clover sward fertiliser management from 12 years research at Teagasc Solohead Farm.
08 March 2021
Soil sampling - Money well spent
Now is the ideal time of the year to take soil samples on your farm if you have not done so in the recent past as it will provide vital information on the soil fertility status of your farm. Ciaran Beatty, Teagasc Advisor, Castlerea, advises not to delay in having soil samples taken
02 March 2021
Maximising Grass in the dairy cow diet
Getting cows out on grass is better for the cows, and beneficial for the grass plant. Nutritionally, spring grazed grass is far superior to grass silage indoors with digestibility of 80 + in terms of DMD. So the more of it you can get into the diet the better, advises Ciara O’ Shea, Teagasc Macroom
01 March 2021
Additional resources to meet demand for Green Cert Courses | Teagasc Virtual College Open Days
Teagasc welcomes the recent announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., giving approval for the recruitment of 20 fixed term education staff to meet exceptional demand for Teagasc Green Cert courses.
27 February 2021
Safety Tips when Handling Fertiliser
Fertiliser spreading season is upon us and so health and safety must always be a priority. Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, Francis Bligh, looks at the actions that can be taken to prevent injury when handling fertiliser.
21 February 2021
Could you grow 14Ton of grass with 200 units of Nitrogen?
The European Green Deal calls for EU farmers to reduce their chemical Nitrogen inputs by 20% by 2030. Nationally the Ag Climatise document re-iterates this target but also sets an interim target of a 15% reduction by 2025. Joe Kelleher, Dairy Advisor Teagasc, Newcastle West looks at achieving this
21 February 2021
Let it Bee Project- A community approach to tackling pesticide issues in Newport
In order to pollinate crops and wild plants we need an abundance and diversity of wild pollinators and honeybees. Looking for a solution to the many pesticide exceedances in the Newport river catchment, the “Let It Bee” project begins. Mary Roache, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor, Westport has details
20 February 2021
Ten Points on Good Farm Soil Practice – ‘LESS’ IS MORE VALUE
Soil sampling is the starting point of good farm soil practice. It leads on to correct N,P,K and lime applications, slurry efficiency and managing peat soils and GHGs. Anne O'Malley, Teagasc Advisor, Mayo outlines Ten Points on Good Farm Soil Practice and emphasizes that ‘LESS’ IS MORE VALUE!
18 February 2021
Environment Newsletter - February 2021
Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Environment team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Dates for your diary; Think before you plant a new hedge; Message from ASSAP - Don’t lose any fertiliser you spread; & Message from Signpost Programme - Now is the time for climate action.
13 February 2021
Creating a farm plan that secures your future in farming
Sometimes in order to be successful, a business must reset – Bob McNair. Farmers are a resilient breed - they have faced many challenges over the last few years. Farmers who hope to improve their business must plan. Farm Management Specialist James McDonnell has some advice and guidance
06 February 2021
The development of soil mapping in Ireland
Soils are the interface between geology and the living world. In Ireland, a number of significant soil mapping campaigns have been undertaken since the late 1950s. The January Map of the Month looks at the more well known and widely used soil maps and data products produced for Ireland so far.
06 February 2021
Increasing soil pH reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions
A new scientific paper from Teagasc shows that getting soil pH right through liming can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The AGEE published paper is from researchers at the Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land-Use Department in Johnstown Castle.
04 February 2021
Spring Nitrogen, How much and where?
For a small country we have huge variation in conditions, from Wexford to Donegal, from south to north Wexford and even within our own farms. Therefore we cannot have a one fits all recommendation on fertiliser or grazing for the spring. Martina Harrington, Beef Specialist advises on Spring Nitrogen
03 February 2021
Teagasc Online Slurry Spreader Calibration Calculator
Many farmers will use Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) methods such as a dribble bar, for the first time in place of the traditional splash plate. When using a new application method it's important to apply the slurry accurately as Francis Quigley, Teagasc Farm Machinery Specialist explains
29 January 2021
The importance of taking a proper soil sample
The principle of soil analysis is to determine the average nutrient status of an area and to show the available nutrients in the soil. Once known you can then apply nutrients to bring your soils to optimum fertility. Martina Harrington, Teagasc Beef Specialist advises on proper soil sampling below
14 January 2021
Using PastureBase to Benefit the Farmer & the Environment
Creating a Win–Win Scenario for the Farmer & the Environment using PastureBase Ireland by reducing fertiliser costs and increasing nutrient use efficiency (NUE). This is the theme of this Grass10 and Pasturebase webinar on Wednesday 13th January at 7pm. Follow the link to register below.
11 January 2021
Preventing Deaths with Slurry
The Slurry Spreading season commences in many parts of the Country after the 12th January. With 10% of deaths being slurry-related in the 10 year period to 2020, John McNamara and Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists discuss the dangers and prevention of deaths with slurry
11 January 2021
Hemp for a Sustainable Future – Teagasc award at BTYSTE 2021 announced
Cian Walsh, a transition year student at St. Brogan's College, Kilbrogan, Bandon, Co. Cork, is the winner of the Teagasc award at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2021 (BTYSTE). Cian’s project looked at the social, economic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of growing hemp
10 January 2021
5 Steps to taking a soil sample
Here in just five easy steps Edward Egan & Tara Heaney, Teagasc Meath Advisors, take us through the process of taking a soil sample correctly in order to get a reliable soil result.
08 January 2021
A slurry 'no-brainer' for farmers
Emer Keane, Walsh Scholar, Teagasc, Castlerea, discusses the environmental topics of Low Emission Slurry Spreading and Greenhouse gases. She advises on availing of the TAMS 2 grant aid opportunity which exists to subsidise investment in LESS and reminds us of the TAMS 2 closing date of 15th January
07 January 2021
Teagasc at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE 2021)
Visit the Teagasc virtual stand in the ‘World of Science and Technology’ at BTYSTE 2021, taking place each day from 6th - 8th January at 9 am - 5.30pm. Find out more about the Teagasc prize that is awarded each year to an agricultural or food related project.
07 January 2021
Aim for Zero Farm Accidents in 2021
Aim for Zero farm accidents every day in 2021. An accident causes tragedy and leads to tragedy, pain and suffering, and possibly lifelong disability. It is in everyone’s best interests to put time and effort into preventing accidents.This is the message from John McNamara Health & Safety Specialist
02 January 2021
The Embrace Farm Accident Support Network and how it can help
From 2010 - 2019, 214 farmers lost their lives through a farming accident. On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge Podcast, founding member of Embrace FARM (Farm Accident Support Network) Norma Rohan outlines the services it offers.
18 November 2020
Transferring the Family Farm Online Event
Join us on Tuesday, 17 November at 7:30pm for a short seminar on farm succession, led by Teagasc Farm Management Specialists followed by an opportunity to submit your questions to them privately and have them answered on a one to one basis.
14 November 2020
Increasing grass yield by draining land in the right areas and right way
The decision to drain a particular field or area of the farm will incur substantial capital investment. It should, therefore, be based on the potential return on the investment. What are the benefits of improved drainage to a grassland farmer? Tom Coll, Teagasc Drystock Advisor has the answers
13 November 2020
Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders ( MSDs) among Farmers in Ireland - Webinar
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a serious cause for concern for farmers. Research found that 57% of farmers lost full time workdays, with over 22% losing 15 days or more. Join the webinar on Thursday, 29th October to get advice and information on prevention of MSDs
27 October 2020
Ballyhaise Extended Grazing Trial
Donal Patton, Dairy research technologist, has summarised the trends emerging from the final year of a four-year trial in Ballyhaise. The trial looked at extended grazing on heavy soils in Northern regions comparing two grazing season lengths and two stocking rates.
16 October 2020