Environment

Hedging Your Bets!

Hedging Your Bets! Bernie Leahy, B&T Drystock Adviser, Teagasc, Galway/Clare discusses the legacy of a hedge here as she makes connections with Cheltenham, and the numerous benefits of a hedge. She also reminds farmers of REAP planting date commitments this March. Hedgehunter, the Irish bred National Hunt horse won the Aintree Grand […]
13 March 2022

Hedge Cutting Season now Closed

0 Hedge Cutting Season now Closed The hedge cutting season is over. Today, Tuesday, 1 March is the first day of the bird nesting season, hedges must not be cut. Catherine Keena, Countryside Management Specialist points out that the absence of hedge cutting from March to September allows birds to nest safely and […]
1 March 2022

Ballyhaise Agricultural College and DkIT – Science led Agricultural Education

Ballyhaise Agricultural College and DkIT – Science led Agricultural Education Teagasc Ballyhaise College and DkIT have been working collaboratively in the development and delivery of level 6, 7 and 8 Agriculture programmes for over 20 years. DkIT and Ballyhaise now co-deliver the 4-year BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture and more recently the […]
25 February 2022

Measuring greenhouse gas fluxes in the agricultural catchments

Measuring greenhouse gas fluxes in the agricultural catchments Under the Climate Act 2021, Ireland must cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 51% by 2030 with a 22-30% reduction required from the agricultural sector. Macdara O’Neill, Gaseous Emissions Researcher, Agricultural Catchments Programme, measures greenhouse gas fluxes in the agricultural catchments The three main […]
24 February 2022

Incorporating white clover and protected urea into intensive grazing systems

Incorporating white clover and protected urea into intensive grazing systems The Clonakilty Agricultural College experiment from 2019-2021 investigated how reducing N fertiliser application levels on grass-only and grass-clover swards effected grass and milk production. Brian McCarthy, Research Officer and Áine Murray, Walsh Scholar, Teagasc Moorepark have more details Photo above: Grazing plots […]
24 February 2022

Water Quality Modelling in the Agricultural Catchments Programme

Water Quality Modelling in the Agricultural Catchments Programme Daniel Hawtree, Catchment Science Modeller, Agricultural Catchments Programme discusses hydrologic models as tools for water quality management. This model work is currently focused on County Wexford Photo above: The Castledockrell catchment in county Wexford Hydrologic Models as Tools for Water Quality Management Hydrologic models […]
23 February 2022

Detangling sediment dynamics in rivers

Detangling sediment dynamics in rivers Naomi Lumsden, Research Officer, Environment Soils and Land Use Dept., Teagasc Johnstown Castle investigated how two differently managed, but physically adjacent, catchments in Wexford, namely Castledockrell and Ballycanew, responded to heavy rainfall events. She explains the findings here Suspended sediments in rivers and lakes are a significant, […]
23 February 2022

Optimal soil phosphorus reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions

Optimal soil phosphorus reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions A new scientific paper from Teagasc has shown that getting soil phosphorus (P) levels right through a fertiliser programme can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas.   Photo above: Experimental plots with greenhouse gas measurement chambers in Teagasc Johnstown Castle […]
23 February 2022

Nutrient Management Planning Online – another string to your bow

Nutrient Management Planning Online – another string to your bow One technology, which can have a positive effect on the double edged sword of rising fertiliser prices and agricultural sustainability, is the Teagasc Nutrient Management Planning NMP online tool. Dr Michele McCormack, Economist, Agricultural Catchments Programme discusses farmer uptake of NMP In […]
22 February 2022

Nutrient Management on farms in the Agricultural Catchments Programme

Nutrient Management on farms in the Agricultural Catchments Programme The level of nutrients in soil, their availability for crop growth plus when and where they are lost from soil to water are all key parts of work in the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP). Edward Burgess, Agricultural Catchment Specialist explains soil fertility and […]
22 February 2022