Grassland
How to cut fertiliser costs without losing out on yields
Fitting a headland mechanism to the spreader and turning it at the right point can deliver big savings on fertiliser costs. Francis Quigley, Teagasc Farm Machinery Specialist, tells us more.
10 March 2024
Get slurry on target for optimum benefit
At current fertiliser prices, the nutrients contained in 1,000 gallons of cattle slurry (at 6% DM) have a value of €35. Over an average winter, 100 dairy cows will produce slurry worth about €4,500 fertiliser. Mark Treacy, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, tells us more
09 March 2024
Spring Grass Series - Grazing update with Joe Murphy, Co Kilkenny
On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses the latest PastureBase data, Dry Matter % and Predicted grass growth, rainfall & soil temperatures for the week.
08 March 2024
Spring Grassland Management on DairyBeef 500 Farms
Grazed grass will continue to be the cheapest feed available to beef animals. Turning animals out early to spring grass will improve animal performance and reduce cost of production.
07 March 2024
‘Farming is my GAA’
Mayo beef producer Cathal Irwin loves farming but he’s determined that it pays its way and is manageable alongside his family and business priorities. He spoke with Gabriel Trayers, Teagasc Future Beef Programme.
06 March 2024
Does white clover increase beef animal live-weight gain?
Through the Derrypatrick herd, researchers in Teagasc Grange are examining how white clover inclusion in grassland swards effects animal performance, Peter Doyle, Research Officer, tells us more.
05 March 2024
Diary dates: Spring beef grass walks
The Teagasc Beef Specialist team, along with the local advisory service, is hosting a series of spring beef grass walks across the country.
04 March 2024
Grassland management tips for this spring
With a difficult spring leading to challenging grazing conditions, Teagasc Grass10 Manager, John Maher is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with his top tips in relation to grassland management this spring.
28 February 2024
Watch: Let's Talk Organics - Establishment Methods for Red Clover
Elaine Leavy, Teagasc Organics Specialist hosted a webinar on Wednesday, 7th February which looked at establishment methods for red clover. Elaine was joined by Cathal McCauley, Specialised Organic Advisor, Teagasc; Lisa McGrane, Teagasc and Michael Egan, Teagasc Researcher.
25 February 2024
Weekly Grass10 Update with Joseph Dunphy
On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses PastureBase data, Dry Matter % and Predicted grass growth, rainfall & soil temperatures.
23 February 2024
Spring Grass Series: Grass10 grazing management update
On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses PastureBase data, Dry Matter % and Predicted grass growth, rainfall & soil temperatures.
16 February 2024
Maximising grazed grass on the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms
Farmers participating in the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme have set their sights on maximising the proportion of grazed grass in the diet of their dairy cows this year.
15 February 2024
The Value of Soil Sampling
Eddie Webb, Teagasc Soils & Environment Advisor, gives his guide to soil sampling and fertility management.
14 February 2024
When should you apply early nitrogen?
A lack of nitrogen (N) supply in the soil can limit spring grass growth. The timing and rate of fertiliser N and slurry application are key decisions for every livestock farmer in early spring.
12 February 2024
Listen: Early February grazing tips from Grass10
The Teagasc Grass10 team has introduced a new, weekly Grass10 update via podcast format. For this week’s grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses PastureBase data, dry matter percentages, predicted grass growth, and rainfall and soil temperatures.
09 February 2024
Assess the quantities of grass on your farm now
The average farm cover on your farm is a vital piece of information required to plan your spring feed budget, writes Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Mark Treacy.
05 February 2024
Does the spring rotation planner actually work for all dairy farm soil types?
Many dairy farmers with a large percentage of heavy soil types question the relevance of the spring rotation planner. Martina Gormley, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, writes on how different targets are required on farms with a heavier soil type.
30 January 2024
Early grazing key to stretching fodder reserves
The National Fodder and Food Security Committee reconvened on Wednesday, January 24th, to assess the situation on farms in terms of fodder supplies and to quantify the challenges facing tillage growers this spring.
26 January 2024
How much fertiliser can I buy?
‘How much fertiliser can I buy?’ is a frequently asked question by farmers recently, writes Sean Mannion, B&T Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, who tells us more on the National Fertiliser Database, the importance of calculating your stocking rate and soil sampling requirements.
25 January 2024
Farmers encouraged to carefully manage their winter-feed requirements
An online meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) took place Wednesday, 24th January to update members on the livestock fodder and feed situation on farms. Challenges around the availability of straw was also a strong recurring message.
25 January 2024
Action needed to avoid ‘uphill battle’ on future nitrates derogations
The future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation is dependent on farmers making the right choices and implementing measures to improve water quality, according to Eoghan O’Brien, Teagasc Sustainability Advisor.
25 January 2024
Save slurry for your silage ground
Although slurry spreading is now permitted in Zones A and B, farmers have been reminded to plan carefully and to apply slurry in the areas where it gives the best response.
24 January 2024
Preparing for grazing - when’s best to buffer feed silage
The diet of dairy cows during early lactation can have a significant impact on animal performance. Increasing the proportion of grazed grass in the diet has a positive effect on milk production due to the high nutritive value of spring grass.
23 January 2024
Transitioning to LESS
With the recent changes to nitrates regulations there are a large number of farmers who will be moving from the traditional splash plate to using Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) for the first time. Francis Quigley, Farm Machinery & Milking Machine Specialist, tells us more.
17 January 2024
Slurry spreading advice for farmers and slurry contractors
As the slurry spreading season opens across the country over the coming week, Noel Meehan, ASSAP Manager, outlines why it is very important that farmers and agricultural contractors apply slurry very carefully so as to prevent nutrient losses to water.
15 January 2024
Time to appreciate the value of your cattle slurry
Joining Teagasc Dairy Edge host Dr Emma-Louise Coffey on a recent episode of the weekly podcast, Dr William Burchill, FBD Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture at UCC, said that a rethink on the way slurry is managed on some farms is required.
13 January 2024
Key change to slurry spreading rules comes into play
With the prohibited period for slurry applications coming to a close in the not too distant future, farmers need to be aware of a key change to the rules regarding the method by which slurry can be applied on some farms.
12 January 2024
Time to act on your paddock system
If you are thinking of putting a paddock system in place or even modifying your existing paddocks, now is the time to take action, Fergal Maguire, DairyBeef 500 Advisor, tells us more.
20 December 2023
Irish farmers achieve key 2030 nitrogen fertiliser reduction target
Recently published figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have highlighted the progress Irish farmers have made in terms of reducing their nitrogen fertiliser usage - a key step in achieving agriculture’s emission reduction targets.
12 December 2023
Reflecting on 2023 with PastureBase Ireland
2023 has been a difficult year for grassland managers and the Teagasc Grass10 and PastureBase Ireland teams reflected on some of the key learnings from this grazing year on a recent webinar.
10 December 2023