Environment
Farmer Actions to Improve Water Quality
Farmer Actions to Improve Water Quality Select the right measure in the right place to mitigate phosphorus, sediment and nitrogen losses to waters. Find out what the water quality status is for your local river. Use Pollution Impact Potential (PIP) maps to identify the critical source areas (CSAs) for phosphorus, sediment and […]
27 June 2023
Your ACRES Plan
Your ACRES Plan Many of the 46,000 farmers who applied for ACRES last November had their applications approved in late March. Once you were approved you were effectively a scheme participant since the 1st of January and the contracted period will run for 5 years until the 31st of December 2027. Austin […]
26 June 2023
Organic farming might be for you
Organic farming might be for you Organic farming has enjoyed increased interest from farmers in recent years. John Noonan, Teagasc Organic Advisor, outlines more in this article. This increased interest has occurred partly due to the rising costs of feed and fertiliser, and also the reduction in direct payments of a large […]
19 June 2023
The screech of the Banshee? No, it’s the mysterious Barn Owl
The screech of the Banshee? No, it’s the mysterious Barn Owl Listen in for a great insight into Ireland’s relationship with the Barn Owl and its important role on farms. John Carrig, the founder of the Barn Owl Project which was set up in 2019, joins Cathal and Deirdre for a bit […]
19 June 2023
Low-input grassland and arable grass margins
Low-input grassland and arable grass margins Catherine Keena, Countryside Management Specialist, writes about scoring low-input grassland and arable grass margins. Scoring low-input grassland Approximately 100,000ha of low-input grassland was selected under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). These fields will be assessed by ACRES advisors this summer to determine how they score […]
17 June 2023
Lime use at highest rate in 22 years, as fertiliser sales decline
Lime use at highest rate in 22 years, as fertiliser sales decline Data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have pointed to increases in the quantity of lime being sold while, at the same time, a reduction in fertiliser sales volumes were reported. Releasing data for 2022 fertiliser sales, the CSO has […]
15 June 2023
New Signpost Advisory Programme in place
New Signpost Advisory Programme in place A new free Signpost Advisory service has been established to assist farmers in making their farms more environmentally sustainable. A team of 20 Signpost advisors is in place across the Teagasc advisory regions and will work with farmers to develop and implement plans to reduce greenhouse […]
14 June 2023
The role of Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme
The role of Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme In Ireland, all water policy and management is led by the Water Framework Directive. Under this directive, Ireland has been set a target of achieving at least ‘good status’ for all waters in Ireland. However, despite a lot of good work over the […]
11 June 2023
Carbon Farming Initiatives
Carbon Farming Initiatives Carbon farming is a new green business model to reward farmers and land managers for curbing climate change, Donal O’Brien, Researcher at Teagasc Johnstown Castle, tells us more. This form of farming is defined by the European Commission as a carbon removal activity that leads to greater storage of […]
11 June 2023
ACRES – how will your farm score?
0 ACRES – how will your farm score? The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is Ireland’s new agri-environment climate scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. This new €1.5 billion flagship agri-environment scheme is to address biodiversity decline, while delivering an income support. In this article, Joanne Masterson, ASSAP Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, explains how the […]
8 June 2023