Horticulture
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
Tree Budding and Grafting Event
With growing demand for young and semi mature trees there is scope for new entrants in the potentially lucrative sector. Steady demand into the future is expected. Teagasc will host an event at Kildalton College on Wednesday, 17 August at 11am & 2pm that will support new and developing growers.
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
Promoting Positive Mental Health among Farmers
Mental Health Awareness is today's Farm Safety Week theme. Farmers live in constantly changing times with possibilities of farming problems and many issues that can cause stress and associated mental health challenges. John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist discusses managing stress here
22 July 2022
Farm safety champions and farm accident survivors
It's #FarmSafetyWeek and Wednesday's theme is farm safety champions and farm accident survivors. Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists, Francis Bligh and John McNamara encourage you to be a farm safety champion this July. They introduce Ann Doherty, a south Kilkenny farmer and accident survivor
20 July 2022
Thomas Curran is New Head of the Teagasc Advisory Service
Thomas Curran has been appointed as the new Head of the Teagasc Advisory Service. The appointment was approved by the Teagasc Authority today, Tuesday, 19 July. Thomas Curran will lead the Teagasc advisory service, which is delivered to farmers nationwide by a team of agricultural advisors
19 July 2022
Young persons - be safe around farm vehicles and machinery
Health and Safety Authority figures tell us that sadly 22 children lost their lives as a result of farm accidents in the past 10 years. HSA figures also tell us that 91% of childhood deaths on farms had a farm vehicle or a machine involved. Get some advice here on keeping young persons safe
19 July 2022
Child Safety on Farms in 2022
The farm safety week theme for Tuesday is Child safety on farms. Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist outlines ways to keep children safe on farm. He discusses the importance of teaching children about farm safety and lists various resources for children including ‘Stay Safe with Jessy'
19 July 2022
Why July is the most dangerous month
Grim figures suggest greater caution than ever is needed on farms in summer. Farm Safety Week 2022 takes place from Monday 18 to Friday 22 July. This is timely as Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist demonstrates that July is the most dangerous month on farms. Read more here
15 July 2022
Today's Farm - July/August 2022
The July/August edition of our bi-monthly magazine is now available online. In this edition Meet our Green Cert graduates. With Farm Safety Week in July we learn it's the most dangerous month. Also Seven steps to maximise lamb performance, Growing demand for oilseed rape; joining ACRES and more
15 July 2022
How to control potato blight
The current edition of The Tillage Edge features researcher Steven Kildea discussing potato blight with crops specialist Shay Phelan.
07 July 2022
July Organic Farm Walks
Teagasc, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and organic organisations invite all farmers and members of the public to see organic farming in practice and to meet and speak with the producers and sector’s experts. Do this by attending one of the three final Organic Summer Farm walks in July
02 July 2022
Tillage Update on Oilseed Rape Desiccation and Potato Blight
Shay Phelan, Teagasc Crops and Potato specialist provides this week's tillage update. He has advice on how to decide if an Oilseed rape crop is ready for desiccation and the steps to take. He also discusses potato blight, Met Eireann's blight warning system and various fungicides which can be used
30 June 2022
Successful Kildalton 50th Open Day
The Teagasc Kildalton Agriculture, Horticulture and Equine College in Piltown county Kilkenny opened its doors and its gates to thousands of visitors on Saturday, 25 June to celebrate its 50th year as an education college.
27 June 2022
Saving our soil
Teagasc is engaged in an extensive range of research including national and international collaborations. Teagasc highlights the impacts of its latest research in "Research impact highlights in 2020". Soil is one such area as Teagasc researchers Michael Gaffney and Dheeraj Rathore outline here
26 June 2022
Safety net: food security in Ireland
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a global increase in food costs, worsening food security problems in some countries, and introducing it to others. Here, Teagasc’s Head of Rural Economy Development Programme Kevin Hanrahan examines food security in Ireland, and rising food prices
23 June 2022
Show Jessy your Farm Safety ideas and win!
Calling 4-12 year olds! Jessy the Sheep Dog, our Teagasc Farm Safety mascot, loves to help keep everyone safe on the farm so she wants to give 4 lucky winners a prize. Find out about the ‘Stay Safe with Jessy' art competition, how to enter and what you can win. Closing date for entries is 22 July
19 June 2022
Growing Wild - bluebells and guelder rose
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 bluebells and guelder rose
19 June 2022