Grassland

Weed control - more to consider than just chemicals
Grassland weeds are set to escalate over the next few weeks. Mary Roache, Teagasc Advisor, Westport, tells us why there is more to consider than just chemical control, highlighting the important role of integrated pest management.
04 June 2024
Think slurry safety when fertilising second cuts
Typically used to provide valuable nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium when growing first-cut silage crops, a challenging spring meant slurry applications were delayed on many farms.
03 June 2024

Water systems – very big troughs not the solution
Along with suitable paddocks and roadways, the role of a suitable water system in good grazing infrastructure can’t be overlooked. Factors such as adequate pipe sizes, suitable ballcocks, the size and location of water troughs, and the water flow rate all needed to be factored.
01 June 2024

Significant increase in grass growth predicted
With high pressure expected to dominate over the bank holiday weekend, the Moorepark St. Giles Grass Growth (MoSt GG) model is predicting a significant increase in daily grass growth rates for the coming days.
31 May 2024

The future of the grass seed industry
Germinal Technical Director, Mary McEvoy joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss the future of the grass seed industry.
29 May 2024

The role of NBPT protected urea
Colm Kelly, Climate Action & Sustainability Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, looks at the role NBPT protected urea will play in grass growth throughout the summer, its significant positive contribution to greenhouse gas and ammonia emission reductions, and how it achieves cost reductions at farm level
28 May 2024

Red clover's role in silage swards
Red clover can contribute substantially to organic, low-input and conventional animal production systems due to its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and support of higher animal performance.
27 May 2024

Are you leaving milk solids behind?
Failing to provide dairy cows with grass at the optimum pre-grazing yield could be hitting the income potential on some dairy farms.
26 May 2024

The lime, silage and slurry quandary
Untrafficable ground conditions hindered lime applications on many farms up until now. For some, it will be the first time lime will be applied in the summer months. With this comes questions on lime’s interactions with silage, slurry and even grazed grass.
26 May 2024

A guide to storing silage and managing effluent collection
After a long winter farmers are replenishing silage stocks. Storage capacity, silage quality, effluent management and safety are all vital considerations. Tom Fallon, Teagasc Farm Buildings & Infrastructure Specialist, tells us more.
25 May 2024

Quality over Quantity - Silage 2024
Nollaig O’Dowd, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, discusses the importance of creating a fodder budget, ensuring high-quality silage for optimal animal performance, and timing the harvest correctly to balance quality and quantity.
25 May 2024

Silage 2024 - quality and quantity needed
Recent weather reinforces the need to have quality silage reserves. Do not delay first-cut silage in order to bulk up the crop and replenish diminished silage stock.
18 May 2024

A reminder on silage bale stacking rules
With the harvesting of first-cut silage crops edging ever closer, farmers need to make themselves aware of the Conditionality rules – the baseline requirements for farmers in receipt of CAP payments – relating to the stacking of silage bales.
14 May 2024

The principles of reseeding
Reseeding levels in Ireland are low. Less than 2% of our national grassland area is reseeded annually. As grass is our dominant feed during the main grazing season, and the primary source of winter forage in the form of grass silage, the low level of reseeding must be addressed.
13 May 2024

Producing quality silage
As silage season commences it is important to consider the key requirements for producing quality silage. Mark Treacy tells us more.
13 May 2024

Podcast: Weekly Grass10 Update
On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses PastureBase data, Dry Matter % and Predicted grass growth, rainfall & soil temperatures for the week.
03 May 2024

Target quality silage for sheep farms
Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, shares key advice to ensure you produce enough high-quality silage for your ewes next winter.
30 April 2024

Should I bulk up silage in the first cut?
After a long winter that exhausted silage stocks on many farms, the temptation is to ‘bulk up’ the first cut of silage. However, this may prove to be a false economy.
26 April 2024

Adjusting nitrogen applications on white clover swards
When sufficient quantities of white clover are present within grassland swards, farmers can tailor their nitrogen application programmes to make full use of the clover plant’s ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere – thus reducing chemical nitrogen usage and saving on costs.
25 April 2024

The milk production benefits of incorporating white clover in grass swards
Since 2013, researchers in Teagasc Moorepark and Clonakilty have been looking at the benefits incorporating white clover into grass swards can bring. Along with reducing the requirement for chemical nitrogen, milk production benefits have been witnessed.
24 April 2024

Tips on establishing grass/white clover swards
The inclusion of white clover in grassland swards brings many benefits - from nitrogen fixation and the resulting reduction in chemical nitrogen requirements, increased herbage quality and dry matter intake, and higher milk production and live weight gain.
23 April 2024

50 years in the making
Since taking over the farm at the age of 15, Billy Gilmore has focused firmly on grass as the key driver of his farming business in Cortoon, Tuam, Co. Galway.
22 April 2024

Grass10 Clover Week commences
This week is Teagasc Grass10 Clover and Spring Grazing Management social media week - a full focus week of information on spring grazing management, strategies for feed conservation in 2024 and increasing the role of clover on farm.
22 April 2024

Extension to Nitrates Derogation application and Dairy Banding deadline
Extensions to the deadlines to submit Nitrates Derogation applications for 2024 and for dairy farmers to confirm their 2024 dairy excretion rate band were today announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D.
17 April 2024

Making a start at grazing – small numbers, large areas
Turnout has been delayed on many beef farms across the country. With a turnaround in the weather forecast, Martina Harrington, Future Beef Programme Manager, provides some key tips on managing the transition back to grass.
16 April 2024

Close up fields now for quality silage in May
John Galvin, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, discusses the challenges faced by farmers due to excessive rainfall and poor weather conditions impacting silage making, emphasising the importance of planning and quality silage production to meet livestock needs.
14 April 2024

Weekly grazing management update from Grass10
On this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses PastureBase data, including: dry matter percentages and predicted grass growth; and rainfall and soil temperatures for this week.
11 April 2024

Winner of Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year crowned
The Overall Winner of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year 2023 is Patrick O’Neill from Co. Longford.
11 April 2024

Details of Fodder Transport Support Measure revealed
As part of the meeting of the National Fodder and Feed Security Committee, today, April 9, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D, revealed details of a measure to support the transport of fodder to areas where supplies are running tight.
09 April 2024

Maintaining positive wellbeing during this challenging spring weather
Finola Colgan, Development Officer at Mental Health Ireland, and Francis Bligh, Health and Safety Specialist at Teagasc, give advice on maintaining positive wellbeing during this challenging spring weather.
09 April 2024