TResearch
2023
Leaf it to science As climate change reshapes growing conditions, Irish forests must adapt. New research explores how species choice, genetic diversity, and forest management can help build resilience from the roots up. Continuous cover forestry systems are close to nature forests and allow newly regenerated seedlings to prosper under the cover […]
Interview: Seeing the forest for trees Forestry Senior Research Officer Ian Short talks us through recent advances in closer-to-nature forestry, and why agroforestry means more than just land grants for growers. Ian appreciates seeing agroforestry and Continuous Cover Forestry enjoy a “renaissance” as increasingly valid approaches in recent years. Photography: Finbarr O’Rourke […]
Milking the data Leveraging data from technologies offers farmers a unique opportunity to enhance the productivity, sustainability and welfare of Irish pasture-based systems. Credit: MSD Animal Health Cows that show signs of heat before the breeding season are significantly more likely to become pregnant, a finding that’s helping farmers in seasonal-calving systems […]
Strengthening forests for climate challenges Tom Houlihan, Acting Head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department, outlines how research in forest resilience, carbon, and management practices is helping future-proof Ireland’s forests against climate challenges. Credit: Sylvia Becerra Gonzalez/istockphoto.com Building more resilient forests is central to Teagasc’s work in forestry. Through targeted research, advisory […]
Put your best root forward Research at Johnstown Castle is examining how forestry management can play a crucial role in nature-based strategies for land-use and climate mitigation. Appropriate afforestation and sustainable forest management can have positive effects on carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and broader environmental topics such as water quality […]
Growing resilience: partnering for the future of ash and beyond Restoring ash, diversifying native species and strengthening forestry resilience – a long-standing partnership between Teagasc and None So Hardy Nurseries is helping shape the future of Irish woodlands. Credit: Andrew Downes For over three decades, None So Hardy Nurseries Ltd, based in […]
Branching out for ash Ash dieback is one of the most serious threats to Irish native trees. As over 90% of ash trees are expected to be lost, urgent action is needed to identify and protect the small number of trees showing natural tolerance. AshforFuture is a four-year, all-island research project that […]
Accelerated dry-aging of beef Credit: Mironov Vladimir/shutterstock.com Value proposition Our novel technology enhances and accelerates the development of the distinctive flavour and aroma of dry-aged beef, significantly reducing the aging time required to achieve these desirable characteristics. Opportunity Through accelerated oxidation of lipids and flavour precursors, our technology enables the faster accumulation of […]
Chipping away at food waste Potato processing side streams contain valuable nutrients like proteins and starch, which can be efficiently extracted using green technologies. Scaling up these processes enables a zero-waste biorefinery model, turning waste into economic and environmental benefits. Both discarded whole potatoes and leftover scraps can be valuable sources of […]
Life from decay – a microcosm of biodiversity in a forest This vibrant image highlights the intricate beauty of decaying wood, where moss thrives and life cycles continue within the forest ecosystem. It exemplifies the biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by decomposing matter, serving as both habitat and food for countless organisms. […]