Horticulture
Over 4,500 Farm Accidents occur annually
New data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) has revealed that that there were 4,523 accidents on Irish farms. The survey was conducted in 2021 and relates to year 2020. Over 88% of these farm accidents involved the farm operator, with a further 11% relating to family members.
20 September 2022
How satellite images from space are used to monitor our soil
Rumia Basu, PhD student at Teagasc, tells us about the connection between soil, rain and the climate is especially important for a grass-based economy like Ireland's
19 September 2022
Take-home messages from recent events
Teagasc researchers attend many events throughout the year where they share the findings from their research. Here, we highlight some key pieces of information from recent events. This article featured in the TResearch Autumn 2022 Magazine
18 September 2022
MOOCFORCHANGE- Massive open online course for forest change
Dr Ian Short and Jonathan Spazzi, Teagasc Forestry Development Department, recently took part in a MOOCFORCHANGE project meeting in Belgium, they tell us about Continuous cover forestry (CCF), which is a forest management approach suitable to both conifers and broadleaves.
16 September 2022
OrganicBeef22 Open Day with John Purcell
In this clip, meet our Teagasc organic specialists Elaine Leavy, Joe Kelleher and Martin Bourke who outline to us what you can expect to see at the upcoming OrganicBeef22 Open Day on the farm of John Purcell in Cashel, Co. Tipperary on Wednesday, 28 September 2022.
15 September 2022
Today's Farm - September/October 2022
The September/October edition of our bi-monthly magazine is now available online. In this edition find out why Beef farmers are embracing clover. It also has articles on Organic sheep earn their keep; Soil sampling is key to cutting fertiliser costs; Transferring the family farm; and more.
10 September 2022
5 new protein sources you may not have come across before
Analysis: from seaweed to duckweed, here are 5 sustainably sourced alternative proteins to investigate. This article by Laura Healy, Teagasc PhD student and Walsh Scholar in Food Chemistry and Technology at TU Dublin, first published on RTÉ Brainstorm recently
09 September 2022
Soil test results indicate early signs of soil fertility decline
A recent review of soil samples taken by Teagasc in 2021 shows that the number of soil samples taken across all farming enterprises have increased in 2021. Over this period, 62% of soil samples came from dairy farms, 25% from drystock farms and 11% from tillage farms.
08 September 2022
New UCD Teagasc Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development
University College Dublin (UCD) is delighted to announce the launch of a new Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development designed and developed in association with Teagasc specifically for Post-Doctoral Fellows employed by Teagasc. Find out the details here
04 September 2022
New Fulbright-Teagasc Scholar and Professional Award launched
Postgraduate students across Ireland are being encouraged to apply for a Teagasc sponsored Fulbright-Irish Award following a call for applications on 31 August 2022. Get more details of how to apply and of an upcoming information webinar on the awards, here
03 September 2022
Going organic in Ireland
The EU’s Farm to Fork strategy aims to increase organic food production; knowing why consumers purchase organic foods will be essential if it is to be successful.
03 September 2022
The Importance of Hedgerows for Butterflies - Hedgerow Week 2022
There are 35 species of butterflies in Ireland - 23 of these breed on hedges. Over-management of hedges removes butterfly eggs, larvae and nectar sources for adult butterflies. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist and Jesmond Harding, Butterfly Conservation Ireland explain
30 August 2022
TResearch Autumn 2022
TResearch is an official science publication of Teagasc. It aims to disseminate the results of the organisation’s research to a broad audience. Clearing the air - Reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the agriculture sector is a priority for our researchers
27 August 2022
The honeybee is doing grand, but what about the other bees?
When people talk about bees, they are usually referring to honeybees and not the 20,000 other bee species in need of some love. Stephanie Maher, Teagasc biodiversity researcher, Johnstown Castle, educates us on the world of bees in this fascinating article, first published on RTÉ Brainstorm recently
25 August 2022
Understanding the genetic blueprint of the grain aphid
By unravelling the DNA sequence of the English grain aphid, Teagasc is providing novel insights that support research into insecticide resistance and mechanisms of viral transmission. Teagasc researchers Stephen Byrne, Maximilian Schughart and Louise McNamara explain
23 August 2022
What do we know about the environmental footprint of local and imported fruit and vegetables?
With increasingly sophisticated diets and demand for value, locally produced food no longer meets all of our food requirements. Imported food makes up a large proportion of the food we eat. Lael Walsh & Loren Lane, Horticulture Development Dept at Teagasc Ashtown, research the environmental impact
22 August 2022
You are what you eat
The statement ‘You are what you eat’ is well-known in food science. It refers directly to the bioactive compounds that we ingest when we eat healthy foods, and how much of them our bodies absorb. Teagasc researchers Talita Aline Comunian and André Brodkorb with EU research colleagues tell us more
19 August 2022
Energy options in horticulture
Energy costs have increased significantly due to external macroeconomic factors, but more recently due to the invasion of Ukraine. The horticulture sector has for some years been moving away from fossil fuels. Horticulture advisor Dónall Flanagan takes a look at the other options available.
18 August 2022
Growing wild - Privet and Lady’s Bedstraw
Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity to look out for in the countryside. Here she shares some interesting facts of nature about Privet and Lady’s Bedstraw
14 August 2022
Forest fires – we can all help
As Forestry Advisor Steven Meyen writes this, Europe burns. Huge fires are destroying thousands of hectares of forests across Europe during this latest and not last heatwave. Mediterranean countries are worst affected but central & western European countries including Ireland are also suffering.
12 August 2022
Respect the power of the Sun
In current hot weather it is very important to take lots of drinks, stay indoors during periods of high temperatures and avoid exposure to the damaging effects of UV radiation from the sun. Farmers are one of the highest risk groups for skin cancer. Find some advice here.
10 August 2022
Agricultural diversification – Have you considered horticulture?
This article by Carol Melody Lecturer of Biodiversity, Ecology and Plant Science, Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture will convince you to consider horticulture, if you haven't before, as a diversification option for your farm. There is ample information too about Teagasc horticulture courses
07 August 2022
Wind Energy
Domestically, the Irish Government is now focused on securing 70% of all electricity from renewables by 2030. In 2019, wind energy provided 32.5% of our electricity. Barry Caslin, Teagasc, Rural Economy and Development Programme has more Wind Energy information here in this factsheet
07 August 2022
Potato blight disease research
Potato late blight, continues to be the most economically destructive disease of global potato crops. The primary potato disease remains Phytophthora infestans (late blight), responsible for €1,000,000,000 of annual losses in the EU alone. Read about the focus of Teagasc Late Blight Research here
06 August 2022
Jessy’s Farm Safety Champions announced in Farm Safety Competition
Jessy the Sheep Dog, the Teagasc Farm Safety mascot, loves to help keep everyone safe on the farm. To celebrate end of school term and highlight safety during the recent Farm Safety Week, Jessy and her friends ran an art competition in which 4 lucky winners were chosen to receive a toy shop voucher
04 August 2022
Is it necessary to complete the Green Cert?
On completion of the Green Cert course, students meet the requirements of a qualified farmer for the purposes of all Revenue and Department of Agriculture (DAFM) schemes. Serena Gibbons, Education Officer, Teagasc Athenry discusses the wider benefits of completing the Green Cert
31 July 2022
It’s hard to be green, when in the red
Farmers are facing a big challenge when it comes to balancing economic sustainability with environmental sustainability, says Michael Hayden, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Maynooth University. This External Insights article featured in the TResearch Summer 2022 Magazine. Read more here
31 July 2022
Cliona Beirne - Green Cert experience
“What I loved about being in college was that you would be learning about measuring grass in the morning and you would be in the field in the afternoon putting it into practice" says Cliona Beirne about the Teagasc Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Herd Mgt) at Mountbellew College
28 July 2022
Maria Keane - Green Cert experience
“The Green Cert gives you a great foundation in agriculture,” says Maria about the Teagasc distance Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming course, which she completed at Gurteen College. Maria talks about her distance "Green Cert" course which she found flexible and accommodating
26 July 2022
Dave Moloney - Green Cert student experience
“My only regret is that I didn’t do it years ago!” says Dave Moloney, Co Cork about the Teagasc part-time Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming course, which he completed at Teagasc Macroom. Dave, who won 2021 Teagasc Student of the Year Competition, talks about his "Green Cert" course
25 July 2022