Environment
Hedgerow Cutting Season Begins
0 Hedgerow Cutting Season Begins Hedges can be cut from 1 September until the end of February. The Wildlife Act, 1976 (2000) prohibits hedge cutting during the bird nesting season. Here Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist and Anthony Dineen, Teagasc Advisor simplify the rules and regulations around Hedges. Timing of hedge cutting […]
1 September 2021
Endangered Corncrake making a welcome return
Endangered Corncrake making a welcome return Corncrake numbers have declined in recent times, however they have increased again in 2021. Joanne Masterson, B&T Drystock Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, discusses corncrake friendly mowing and the Corncrake LIFE Project Scheme. She also sheds light on the future of this bird species. I recently visited […]
22 August 2021
Appreciating The Heritage of Hedges
Appreciating The Heritage of Hedges Hedges give character to farms, townlands, parishes and counties, making them distinct from other areas. Hedges evoke history and folklore. On National Heritage Week, Catherine Keena & Michael Somers remind us of the Kickham Tree Project in Tipperary, which preserves the legacy of Charles Kickham (Photo above […]
20 August 2021
Increasing soil pH reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions
Increasing soil pH reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions A new scientific paper from Teagasc has shown that getting soil pH right through a liming programme can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The Teagasc Signpost Programme brings this important fact to our attention here Lime drives down […]
15 August 2021
Soil health physical examination
Soil health physical examination TEAGASC researchers at Johnstown Castle and Oak Park, along with collaborators from UCD, have developed soil physical health tools to use at field or national monitoring network scales. Research Officers Owen Fenton, Dermot Forristal & Giulia Bondi bring us fascinating insight into Soil Health here As part of […]
30 July 2021
Nitrogen Loss to Water in Agricultural Catchments
Nitrogen Loss to Water in Agricultural Catchments Every four years the Nitrates Directive is reviewed and changes are made to the regulations. 2021 is such a year. In Teagasc, the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) studies water quality in 6 contrasting catchments across the country. Edward Burgess ACP, discusses some ACP study results […]
29 July 2021
Fertiliser advice under prolonged dry soil conditions
Fertiliser advice under prolonged dry soil conditions Over the last 6 to 7 weeks soil moisture deficits (SMD) have continued to increase due to low rainfall in many parts of the country. At SMD above 50 mm growth becomes restricted. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist discusses Fertiliser N Application […]
28 July 2021
Breaking the Pathway of Phosphorus and Sediment entering Waterways
Breaking the Pathway of Phosphorus and Sediment entering Waterways When farmers are applying fertilisers, cultivating, grazing or draining land close to watercourses, careful, site specific land management can minimise the risk of Phosphorus and sediment loss and help improve water quality. Ivan Kelly, ASSAP Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare has good advice here Nutrient […]
13 July 2021
ASSAP Service: A typical Farm Assessment
0 ASSAP Service: A typical Farm Assessment The ASSAP (Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory programme) is a free advisory service aimed at improving water quality. There are 10 PAA’s (Prioritized areas for action) in West Cork. Lane Giles, ASSAP Advisor, Clonakilty explains what the service provides for the farmer in West Cork ASSAP […]
3 July 2021
Chorca Dhuibhne 2030: building sustainability on the ground
0 Chorca Dhuibhne 2030: building sustainability on the ground The Dingle peninsula, in the Southwest of Ireland, has become an important focus for innovative projects involving diverse AKIS (Agriculture Knowledge Innovation System) actors. At the recent ESEE Conference, a new docufilm was launched showcasing Corca Dhuibhne’s ambitious vision for 2030. See here At […]
2 July 2021