TResearch
2024
Between a rock and a hard place Stones must be removed from grassland soils for accurate carbon measurements, but this process can be arduous. Teagasc research is examining improved protocols for soil carbon calculations. New Teagasc research, published in the international soil science journal Geoderma Regional, highlights the consequences of not considering […]
Cease & resist Overuse of antibiotics is known to have detrimental effects; new Teagasc research is examining how antibiotic use in early life affects human and animal microbiota. Limiting antibiotic use in early life can bolster antimicrobial resistance genes later on in life (Photo: blackCAT/iStockphoto.com) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a burgeoning global […]
Employment deployment Studying employment practices on farms will allow for the development of tailored support and training, helping farmers offer more attractive employment opportunities. Like many economic sectors today, agriculture is in the middle of a perfect storm; demand for additional people to work on farms is increasing, while the availability of […]
Worth the weight A Research Officer in Grassland Science at Teagasc Grange, Peter Doyle is at the forefront of research that’s optimising beef systems to improve lifetime animal performance while meeting crucial climate goals. Photo by: Tony Keane How did you get into this field of study? I grew up on a […]
Microbial marvels Teagasc research is examining the beneficial symbiotic relationship between the soil microbiome and plant diversity in pasture systems. Agricultural grassland soils are a rich source of microbial life. These microorganisms – which include bacteria and fungi – are instrumental in fundamental ecosystem processes such as organic matter decomposition and nutrient […]
Beef and to the point For Teagasc’s dairy-beef research and KT programme, Research Officer Nicky Byrne and Walsh Scholar Jenny Abbott, DairyBeef500 Programme Manager Alan Dillon and Programme Advisor Fergal Maguire explain how their work supports Ireland’s world-class beef production systems. Can you explain the team’s role? Nicky: Over the past 10 […]
Beefing up the data Decision-support tools can facilitate more sustainable beef-on-dairy systems. The dairy and beef sectors are intrinsically linked. Approximately 75-80% of calves originating from the dairy herd are destined for slaughter; many are purchased at less than six weeks old. Since dairy farmers are often not directly impacted by the […]
Graze on end Grass varieties can now be evaluated on commercial grassland farms in Ireland; this system gives grassland farmers more relevant information regarding how varieties can contribute to their farms over time. On Irish grassland farms, perennial ryegrass is the most important forage as it provides large quantities of high-quality forage […]
Bridging the gap Teagasc reflects on significant impacts from the decade-long partnership between its technology transfer office and those of University College Cork and Munster Technological University forged via the Bridge Network consortium. Siobhán Jordan (second left, front row) and Miriam Walsh (second right, front row) with Teagasc colleagues at the 2022 […]
Events: my take-home message Teagasc’s researchers attend many events throughout the year, sharing the findings from their research with national and international audiences. Here, we capture the take-home messages – key pieces of information that our researchers want people to remember – from recent events. Eoin O’Connor and Joy Clarke at ISMS […]