TResearch Autumn/Winter 2021
TResearch is an official science publication of Teagasc. It aims to disseminate the results of the organisation’s research to a broad audience. The Autumn/Winter 2021 issue of TResearch magazine brings a new look. We’ve put the people who carry out our cutting-edge research front and centre.
Download the publication as a PDF here
In this edition:
International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
2021 is the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables read the series of connected articles
- Unearthing the value of Irish fruit and vegetables - Policies reflecting the link between food and health present opportunities for the Irish horticulture sector to generate both economic and societal benefits.
- Going green - Addressing challenges to sustainability in Irish horticulture
- The new ‘super’ berry - Malling Centenary the new variety of strawberry
- Soil management matters - Benefits for pest and disease control
Team Spotlight
The clover effect - Find out the important role white clover plays in sustainable Irish pasture-based dairy and beef farms from Head of Grassland Research Michael O’Donovan and his team
External Insight
Less is more - Reducing fertiliser use - The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been helping Lebanese potato farmers decrease their use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides
Interview
Nothing but the best: How sexed semen is improving dairy farming - Reproductive Physiologist Stephen Butler is leading dairy cattle reproduction research at Teagasc to increase female calf births and improve the value and sustainability of dairy and beef farms.
Back in Time
Whatever the weather - The impact of changing weather patterns on water quality - Teagasc’s Agricultural Catchments Programme has investigated the impact of changing weather patterns on water quality in three river catchments over a 10-year period
Getting to know:
Michael Gaffney - Michael works in Teagasc’s Horticultural Development Department in Dublin. Here, we find out more about Michael and his interests inside and outside of work.
Look ahead:
Alternatives to peat - “Peat-based growing media faces a tough future” - Dermot Callaghan, Head of the Horticultural Development Department, explains why Teagasc is renewing research emphasis on finding alternatives to peat-based growing media in horticulture
Also in this edition
Wake up and smell the pandemic - Around the world people with Covid-19 have been struggling with a change in sense of smell. Leading researchers at Teagasc and University College Dublin to investigate how these symptoms have been affecting people in Ireland
Discovering a new whey to reduce fat - Teagasc researchers have found a way to reduce weight gain from foods rich in fat, potentially minimising the harmful effects of dietary fat.
The big pension problem – for farmers in Ireland - Researchers at Teagasc and Maynooth University have been investigating the effect proposed changes to the State pension system will have on farmers in Ireland.
Health and wellness on farms - Teagasc researchers have applied the Total Worker Health model to new research to support the health and wellbeing of farmers. By looking at how diet and exercise impact health and safety, they hope to alert farmers in Ireland to the health issues directly impacting them.
Success in the Southwest – The Economics of farming - The viability of farms in the Southwest region of Ireland is good when compared to other regions, but volatility in farm income and operating surplus show there are still challenges to address.
SeaHealth - The benefits of seaweed for our gut - Researchers are studying seaweed to find out if its unique properties are beneficial for gut and metabolic health.