Sheep
Olivia Hynes Signpost Update - March
Olivia Hynes is a Future Beef farmer in Jamestown, Four Roads, Co. Roscommon participating in the Signpost programme. We get the March update on how she is progressing with growing grass and closing for silage, calving, grass demand, slurry and grass utilisation on the farm.
19 April 2022
Over-sowing white clover in sheep swards
White clover has the potential to reduce the amount of chemical nitrogen fertiliser required for grass production and also has been shown to improve lamb performance when included in grazing swards. Philip Creighton, Teagasc Researcher, Athenry discusses over-sowing white clover in sheep swards
19 April 2022
Ballyhaise College Farm Enterprises
Ballyhaise College is located 8km north of Cavan town. It is situated on an estate of 220 hectares of grass and woodlands. The college farm comprises od a dairy herd, suckler cow herd, sheep flock and 50 hectares of diverse woodlands. The college has joint courses with DkIT
19 April 2022
Environment Newsletter - April 2022
The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Dates for your diary; Wild bird cover - sowing and management; Message from ASSAP - Time to check silage storage; and details on the new training scheme - Agri-Environment Training Scheme (AETS).
16 April 2022
Clover
With input costs increasing in 2022, this is an important year for grassland farmers to renew their emphasis on clover establishment, but combine this with improved grazing management. Teagasc Advisor Joanne Masterson has some advice on establishing and managing clover
16 April 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 12th April 2022
This week's Grass10 e-Newsletter includes: PastureBase Ireland - Dairy and Drystock Figures; Predicted Grass Growth & Soil Temperatures; Grass10 Weekly Checklist; Grass10 Featured Farmer - Michael Gowen; The Clover Reporter with Trevor Boland; and information on the Clover Farm Walk Series.
13 April 2022
Meet Teagasc BETTER Farm Sheep Programme Participant - Kevin Carey
The Carey family have been farming sheep on the picturesque Erris peninsula near Bellmullet for generations with Kevin, and his family, the latest generation to take over running the farm. Here Sheep Specialist Damien Costello gives an outline of the enterprise.
12 April 2022
Sustainability Training Programme for Farmers and Co-operatives wins Top Accolade at National Training Awards
A ‘game changing’ new programme addressing the training and development needs of co-operatives and their farmer members and producers, as they work to reduce their carbon footprint, has won the prestigious Pearse Walsh Award.
11 April 2022
The Clover Reporter is Jim White
This week's The Clover Reporter returns to the farm of Jim White, Clonmel Co. Tipperary. Jim recently held a Clover Farm Walk on his farm. He outlines his clover plan for 2022 and his top tip for Clover in April.
10 April 2022
Longer days, more work, greater danger
Spring is here, and with it peak workload. Reduce your risk of injury or even death with some simple precautions. Francis Bligh and John McNamara Teagasc Health and Safety specialists have suggestions for keeping safe at calving time, when handling slurry and around machinery here
10 April 2022
Managing Roadside Trees
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has published guidance on managing roadside trees. Written by a panel of experts convened by the Tree Council, it presents a simple six-step process for landowners to follow. Co-author Eileen Woodbyrne summarises the advice and guidance in the booklet
09 April 2022
Fertilising for First Cut Grass Silage Factsheet
Teagasc recently published a compendium of 20 factsheets providing the latest technical advice on soils, nutrients and fertiliser. The tenth of these is about Fertilising for First Cut Grass Silage and can be read here. All 20 will be published here on Teagasc Daily
09 April 2022
LIME – The Cheapest Fertiliser in 2022
Lime application was, and is always the starting point of good soil nutrient management. Austin Callaghan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris, describes it as the engine oil of our soils. With the great hike in fertiliser prices Austin has advice on making the best of lime this year
08 April 2022
Teagasc Signpost Programme Newsletter April 2022
In this month’s newsletter the climate action focus is on securing silage stocks for next winter in the context of high fertiliser prices. The newsletter outlines a blueprint for incorporating clover successfully into a grassland sward. Check out the Signpost farmers featured, soil health and more
08 April 2022
Climate Actions for March/April
Get advice from the Signpost Team summarised in Climate Actions for Grassland Farmers for March/April. There is a focus on winter feed budgeting and how to calculate your silage requirement. Get food and fodder security information for drystock and dairy farmers.
07 April 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 5th April 2022
This week's Grass10 newsletter has the Teagasc Clover Farm Walks upfront. Book your spot here. Get predicted growth & soil temperatures, the Grass10 weekly checklist, walk your farm every 5 days - one of the Grass10 weekly tips, featured farmer Oisin Gill, The Clover Reporter with Jim White and more
06 April 2022
Red Clover Silage Measure
The Red Clover Silage Measure (RCSM) aims to encourage farmers to sow red clover silage swards. A payment will be made to participating Co-op/Agri-retailers to assist farmers with the cost of buying red clover silage sward seed mixtures. This will help with the establishment of these swards
06 April 2022
Extension announced to Multi Species Swards Measure applications
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has announced a short extension to the closing date for its Multi Species Swards Measure (MMS). The Measure, aiming to encourage farmers to sow multi-species swards, will now close at midnight on 14 April, the same day as the Red Clover Silage Measure
05 April 2022
Clover usage reducing Nitrogen surplus on Grassland farms
A series of 12 Clover farm walks organized by Teagasc across the country commenced today, Tuesday, 5 April. The farm walks will highlight the beneficial role that white clover is playing on grazing farms.
05 April 2022
Temporary fencing for sheep
Although temporary fencing has become an integral part of the grazing infrastructure on some sheep farms, it is still an underutilised management tool for many others. Ciarán Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist outlines the benefits and how to go about setting up temporary fencing for sheep on your farm
05 April 2022
Plan Now to Relieve the Pain of Rising Farm Costs
With higher animal prices being offset by large increases in input costs such as fertiliser, meal, fuel and contractor charges, Andy Ryder, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Westport advises on where farmers can make adjustments to maintain a level of output without input costs crippling farm profit
05 April 2022
The Clover Reporter: Kevin Moran
The Grass10 team return to Kevin Moran for The Clover Reporter this week. These farmers have a lot of clover established on their farms and are continuing to establish more clover into their grass-clover swards for animal performance and nitrogen reduction gains. Get Kevin's top tip for April
02 April 2022
Multi Species Sward Measure Closes on 4th April
The Multi Species Sward Measure aims to encourage farmers to sow multi-species swards (MSS). Under this measure a payment will be made to participating Co-op/Agri-retailers to help farmers with the cost of buying multispecies sward seed mixtures. Closing date has been extended to Thursday 14th April
02 April 2022
Caution urged due to Orange Fire Warning
Teagasc is urging landowners and all involved in outdoor activity to exercise extreme caution and to heed the high level warning for fires in place this week. The current weather patterns have resulted in a high fire risk in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses, heather & gorse exist
01 April 2022
Analyses of the organic value chain in Ireland
Dan Clavin & Dr Yan Jin, Teagasc led this research in which a value chain mapping approach was undertaken using organic administrative data to understand the structure of the organic value chain, examining the distribution of organic farms in relation to their production systems
01 April 2022
Get more grass for your money
If you’re planning to use less fertiliser, simple grassland management techniques can help maintain the farm’s stocking rate, as well as replenishing winter feed stocks. Philip Creighton Sheep Enterprise Leader, and Damian Costello Sheep specialist, Teagasc Athenry provide good advice on what to do
31 March 2022
Teagasc Clover Farm Walks
The sharp increase in fertilizer prices since late 2021, has put a renewed focus on the ability of white clover to fix atmospheric Nitrogen for grazing swards on farms. A series of 12 Teagasc farm walks commencing on April 5th, will highlight the beneficial role of white clover on farms
30 March 2022
Grass10 Newsletter - 29th March 2022
Find out about managing the remaining grass on your 1st rotation in this week's Grass10 e-newsletter. Get the Pasturebase Ireland dairy & drystock figures, predicted growth, weekly tips & checklist, a research update from Moorepark, featured farmer, the clover reporter and upcoming clover farm walks
30 March 2022
Reducing the Risks of Slurry Application
Maximising the fertiliser benefits from slurry is critical in 2022. Farmers are aware of this valuable resource and how it can help reduce their overall fertiliser bill through early spring application. However, best practice and regulation must be followed says Kieran Kenny ASSAP Advisor, Castlerea
30 March 2022
Causes of Abortion in Sheep
Most sheep flocks experience some abortions each year but some can experience an abortion storm with up to 25% of the flock aborting. The two most common causes of abortion are chlamydial (enzootic) and toxoplasma abortion. Learn more about these and measures to implement if facing an outbreak here
29 March 2022