Horticulture

Teagasc advisors first in Europe to achieve new European Certificate

Two Teagasc advisors are the first in Europe to be awarded the European CECRA certificate. Marie Flynn, Dairy Advisor based in Moorepark advisory office and Cian Condon, Drystock & Goat advisor based in Teagasc Manorhamilton were presented with their certificates by Teagasc KT Director Dr Stan Lalor
28 September 2021

Apply now for Pilot Soil Sampling Programme

Today, Monday 27th September sees the opening of a pilot Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme. This is a farm level soil sampling & analysis initiative which will provide farmers and their advisors with comprehensive details about the soil health and condition on their farms. Read how to apply here
27 September 2021

Creating an amenity hedge near a rural house

Paddy Smith, Lecturer, Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens, has advice here on creating an amenity hedge near a rural house as bareroot season approaches and hedgerow planting takes place.
26 September 2021

The dark mysteries of the soil beneath our feet

Soil is a complex matrix and its chemical composition often depends on the location in the landscape, the parent material underneath, and the influence of the management above. This article by Senior Research Officer, Dr Karen Daly, Teagasc Johnstown Castle first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm last week
23 September 2021

Lights Fantastic

Can we grow strawberries all year long? At least 40 hectares of heated glass in the Netherlands are now using LED lights to grow strawberries all year long. Dutch consumers are now able to buy strawberries for the lucrative Christmas market. Soft Fruit Specialist Eamonn Kehoe has more information
11 September 2021

Developing Rural Ireland - A History of the Irish Agricultural Advisory Services

A new book that documents the history of the Irish agricultural advisory services and its role in developing rural Ireland, was launched at a virtual event at Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, yesterday, Wednesday 1 September.
02 September 2021

Sustainable Tomato Production

David Currid, owner of Grantstown Nurseries is interviewed by Teagasc's Head of the Horticulture Development Department (HDD), Dermot Callaghan. David gives some interesting insights into how he produces a crop sustainably without compromising on the quality of his product.
30 August 2021

Teagasc Improve Aphid Monitoring Infrastructure

In July 2021 Teagasc completed the construction of a 12.2m high insect suction tower at Ashtown Research Centre in Dublin. The tower will help to build understanding of aphid and insect ecology in Ireland. Researchers Michael Gaffney, Ashtown & Louise McNamara, Oak Park are involved in this research
29 August 2021

Going for gold

As Irish eyes turned to Tokyo for the Olympics this summer, Pat Fitzgerald director of Fitzgerald Nurseries and Beotanics discusses his winning mix in Japan with Dónall Flanagan nursery stock/ornamentals Specialised Advisor, Teagasc
24 August 2021

Outdoor Cut Foliage

The European flower industry is worth €2.5bn, with foliage estimated at 10% of this, or €250m. The south of Ireland has long been recognised as an ideal location for the production of foliage because of its mild moist climate. Andy Whelton, Vegetable and Cut Foliage Specialist Advisor tells us more
21 August 2021

Why farm soils cause greenhouse gas emissions - and how to fix it

Hands up who is interested in soil? Anyone? Anyone at all? Tumbleweeds might roll past unless you are addressing a room full of avid gardeners and land managers. This article by Rosie O'Neill, Teagasc Walsh Scholar first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm.
01 August 2021

Child Safety on Farms

With the on-going easing of restrictions, children may be attending summer camps & meeting friends. However, children will still be spending more time on farms during their holiday time and Jacinta O' Neill, Teagasc Advisor Westport, reminds us that the farmyard is not a playground here
30 July 2021

Soil health physical examination

TEAGASC researchers at Johnstown Castle and Oak Park, along with collaborators from UCD, have developed soil physical health tools to use at field or national monitoring network scales. Research Officers Owen Fenton, Dermot Forristal & Giulia Bondi bring us fascinating insight into Soil Health here
30 July 2021

Farmers Have Hearts - Your Cardiovascular Health

The theme of the final day of Farm Safety Week is Your Health. So it is timely today to look at the Farmers Have Hearts Cardiovascular Health Programme. Dr. Noel Richardson (IT Carlow) offers some good advice on diet and food nutrition to improve the health of farmers in a must-watch video here
23 July 2021

Farmer Health and Wellbeing

John McNamara, Teagasc Farm Safety Specialist looks at stress and Well-being in this video, along with Carlow IT Staff. Springtime can be a particularly stressful time of year. It's important to manage stress. So now this summer take the opportunity to rest, recover and make some time for relaxation
23 July 2021

The Importance of a Tidy Farmyard

Having a well kept farmyard is beneficial to both work efficiency and safety. Over the past 10 years the HSA reported 29 farm deaths due to collapses and falls. The major areas associated were slips & trips, bales falling and falling from a height. Penny Gavin Teagasc Walsh Scholar has tidy tips
22 July 2021

Farm Safety may not cost the earth but not doing it may cost your life

When we think of the wide range of tasks a farmer does each day it's easy to see that managing a farm and doing it safely is a challenge. Farmers must develop many skills to carry out these jobs competently. John McNamara & Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialists have low cost suggestions
21 July 2021

Tiredness Kills

Farmers are constantly surrounded by livestock and machinery and the hazards they pose. Additionally, many other hazards occur on farms such as working at heights or emptying slurry tanks. Penny Gavin, Teagasc / H.S.A./ UCD Walsh Scholar on Farm Safety advises on staying alert by avoiding tiredness
20 July 2021

Improving Aphid control through enhanced monitoring and diagnostics

Control of cereal aphids and BYDV virus is more challenging in recent years due to insecticide resistance and the recent loss of neonicotinoid seed treatments.The newly constructed Teagasc suction tower network improves farmer data and decision-making as Louise McNamara Crops Researcher outlines
18 July 2021

Wood fibre and growing media, its production and impacts on plant performance

On a recent webinar which took place on Thursday, 17th June 2021, Dónall Flanagan, Teagasc Nursery Stock Advisor was joined by Dr Brian Jackson, North Carolina State University to discuss the different sources of wood fibre and impacts on growth of bedding, perennials and woody plants.
26 June 2021

Fight against Blight

Growing potatoes commercially is not for the faint hearted, they are a high input crop to grow with costs in many cases over €2,500 per acre. One of the biggest costs in the crop is disease control, particularly potato blight.Crops specialist Shay Phelan has some advice
20 June 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

2027 Sectoral Road Map: Horticulture

A new Teagasc 2027 Sectoral Road Map for Horticulture was published on Tuesday, 8 December 2020. It includes: Market and policy issues; Potential shape and size of sector in 2027; Environmental & land use implications; Technical performance; Research & technology transfer actions and Comment.
27 December 2020

The soil microbiome and soil health

Soils are very important for all life on earth. Everyone understands that soils provide food, as plants and animals grow and develop from the nutrients they contain. However, there are some less obvious functions of soil and Aoife Duff Teagasc Soils Researcher details these here
01 December 2020

Science Week - Careers in Horticulture

All the careers in Horticulture are tied together with a passion and love of working in the outdoor space with plants. For Science Week, John Mulhern, College Principal, Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens, outlines the many and varied careers available in Horticulture
09 November 2020

Teagasc Horticulture College -National Botanic Gardens Virtual information event

Join the Teagasc Horticulture College team - National Botanic Gardens for a virtual information event from 4 - 5pm on Wednesday 14th October. The event will give details on the range of courses available at the college and will be in the format of a live Q & A Event
12 October 2020

Mushroom Production

There are many edible mushroom species that can be grown commercially, but in Ireland the white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is almost exclusively grown. Production in Ireland is fairly steady at around 68,000 tonnes per year, 80% of which is exported to the UK.
04 October 2020

Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture - Update

The Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens and Ashtownhas commenced the September 2020 programme in a blended format. College Principal John Mulhern gives an update
15 September 2020

Organic Horticulture

Organic fruit and vegetables are the main consumer entry point for purchasing organic produce, and they continue to be the area of shortest supply in the organic sector, with most produce imported. Dan Clavin, Teagasc Farm Management and Rural Development Department provides more information.
29 August 2020

Floristry

Floristry is the creation and design of floral arrangements such as bouquets, centrepieces, corsages, wreaths and other products.The floristry industry is diverse, challenging and subject to frequent changes in fashion.Andy Whelton, Vegetable and Cut Foliage Specialist Advisor gives more information
23 August 2020