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Goats don't like the rain!
Goats don’t like the rain. Marion Roeleveld, Killeen Farmhouse Cheese had goats out grazing, but when it rained they would run back into the shed. They were very bad grazers and very susceptible to parasites. Anne Kinsella, Teagasc Rural Economy, brings us this insight into making goat's cheese
20 August 2021
Cleaning on pig farms
Teagasc researchers Shilpi Misra, Corina E. van Middelaar, John Upton and Keelin O’Driscoll evaluated different washing and disinfection methods on pig farms. No difference in both water use and bacterial load was found; power washing without pre-soaking or detergent was the simplest method.
20 August 2021
Appreciating The Heritage of Hedges
Hedges give character to farms, townlands, parishes and counties, making them distinct from other areas. Hedges evoke history and folklore. On National Heritage Week, Catherine Keena & Michael Somers remind us of the Kickham Tree Project in Tipperary, which preserves the legacy of Charles Kickham
20 August 2021
Forest fungi
Exotic mushrooms produced from hardwood logs can be an extra income earner on many broadleaf forests. The demand for edible wild mushrooms is rapidly increasing. Most of the exotic mushrooms on sale in restaurants and supermarkets in Ireland are imported. Michael Somers, Forestry Advisor has details
20 August 2021
Teagasc celebrates National Heritage Week
National Heritage Week takes place from 14th - 22nd August. Teagasc is marking the week by dedicating 2 Signpost Series webinars to the topics: Archaeology & Farming and Traditional Farm Buildings. Read more here on how to access these webinars and to find out more about Teagasc Heritage resources
19 August 2021
Work Safely with Cattle
Well designed and maintained handling facilities are essential for the safe handling of cattle and prevention of injury to handlers. Under TAMS both permanent and temporary cattle handling facilities can be applied for.
03 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
Soil Sealing in Ireland
The July Map of the Month looks at the important issue of soil sealing in Ireland. Soil sealing is where the ground is covered with an artificial impervious layer - such as concrete. The map was produced as part of the new Terrain-AI project.
31 July 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
Positive farm price developments signal boost to farm incomes in 2021
Improving farm output prices are likely to provide an increase in farm incomes in 2021, in spite of rising input prices, according to the Mid Year Outlook for 2021 produced by Teagasc economists.
29 July 2021
Sustainable soil management to unleash soil biodiversity potential and increase environmental, economic and social wellbeing
In June 2021, the Horizon 2020 project, SOILGUARD, held its inaugural meeting online, kicking off its project activities. Twenty-five trans-disciplinar project partners from 17 countries came together to share the project goals, expectations and results to be achieved during the next 4 years.
26 July 2021
Safety around livestock
As farm safety week draws to a close today Peter Mullan, Teagasc Advisor issues a reminder to farmers to mind your health by staying safe around livestock and gives tips on
23 July 2021
Oak - King of the Forest
The oak has long been regarded as the King of the Forest. It's one of the most striking features in the Irish landscape. Many townlands are named after it, and also, two Irish counties, Derry and Kildare, are derived from the Gaelic word dair. Michael Somers, Forestry Advisor has an interesting read
23 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
Manage your Health - It's Essential for Lifestyle and to Farm Effectively
Health is essential for your lifestyle and to farm effectively. Poor health is associated with increased farm injuries and lowered farm income due to being less able to farm effectively. This is why Teagasc promotes the ‘Total Worker Health' model in its Statement of Strategy.
23 July 2021
Keeping the elderly safe on farm
Protecting the public is today's theme in Farm Safety week so Áine Butler, Teagasc Advisor takes a look at Keeping the elderly safe on farm. Teagasc Farm Safety Specialists Francis Bligh and John Mc Namara have important safety tips also
22 July 2021
Protecting yourself from Infectious diseases
All farm animals naturally carry a number of organisms which can be transferred to humans and cause ill health. As part of Farm Safety Week Seán Doorley, Teagasc Advisor Castlerea, highlights ways to improve good farm hygiene to try to prevent the spread of disease from animals to humans.
22 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
Safety at Silage Appeal
During the hot weather of Farm Safety Week coinciding with peak harvesting and transporting of silage on Irish farms, Brendan Garry, Teagasc Ballinrobe issues a timely safety at silage appeal. There is extra machinery on our roads and farms so extra caution is needed by all parties.
22 July 2021
Taking Care in the Countryside
Irish farmers work very hard each day, managing their animals & crops. This is done while also maintaining habitats, protecting watercourses & supporting their communities. Teagasc Health & Safety Specialists John McNamara & Francis Bligh have advice for farmers on how to keep the countryside safe.
22 July 2021
Quad Safety on farm
As part of Farm Safety Week, David McLaughlin, a hill sheep farmer in Co. Donegal talks about safety when using his quad while farming. David advises to keep your eye on the ground, not on the sheep. Watch as David demonstrates in this short video
21 July 2021
Know your blind spots
Up to 50% of fatalities in agriculture involve a farm vehicle or machinery. Serena Gibbons, Education Officer, Teagasc Athenry talks about blind spots around tractors and has top tips to staying safe and making our farms safer when it comes to working with tractors
21 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
Farming Safely with Farm Machinery
Nearly half of farm accidents are caused by tractors, farm vehicles and machinery. Inexperienced operators, lack of concentration, human error, time pressure and unguarded parts like PTO shaft are the main causes of accidents. Teagasc Machinery Specialist, Francis Quigley has more here
20 July 2021
Staying safe around livestock on your farm
Did you know?... Over the last 10 years 18% of fatalities on farms have been associated with livestock - cows and heifers making up 50% of this. Francis Bligh, Health and Safety Specialist with Teagasc raises awareness and has key suggestions for staying safe around livestock on your farm here
20 July 2021
The potential risks on Irish dairy farms during the summer months
It’s Farm Safety Week and on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast, Francis Bligh joins Emma-Louise Coffey to discuss the potential risks on Irish dairy farms during the summer months.
19 July 2021
Dispelling the myths around Risk Assessment
The overall theme of Farm Safety Week 2021 is 'Rethink Risk' with the aim being to reduce the number of accidents on farms and bring about a change in culture that makes unsafe practices socially unacceptable. Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist, Francis Bligh advises below
19 July 2021
Chorca Dhuibhne 2030: building sustainability on the ground
The Dingle peninsula, in the Southwest of Ireland, has become an important focus for innovative projects involving diverse AKIS (Agriculture Knowledge Innovation System) actors. At the recent ESEE Conference, a new docufilm was launched showcasing Corca Dhuibhne’s ambitious vision for 2030. See here
02 July 2021
Teagasc €4m Walsh Scholarship Postgraduate Opportunities in Agri-Food Research
Teagasc has 40 exciting Walsh Scholarship opportunities for graduates who wish to pursue postgraduate study on topical agri-food issues. The scholarships, awarded in association with universities and Institutes of Technology, will provide scholars with high quality research experience and skills
01 July 2021