Environment

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

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

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

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

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

Water quality in agricultural river catchments
Water quality in agricultural river catchments Per-Erik Mellander, Catchment Scientist, Teagasc, explains how the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) provides science to support the national targets of improving the quality of our waters agricultural landscapes and lists key findings of environmental studies in six ca 10km2 size catchments While we need clean and […]
21 February 2022

What’s the “Water Quality” like here?
What’s the “Water Quality” like here? I have been working in the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) for 13 years now, and probably the most common question I get asked is “What is the water quality like in the catchments?” writes Edward Burgess, Agricultural Catchment Specialist, Teagasc. He answers that question here Above […]
21 February 2022

Environment Newsletter – February 2022
Environment Newsletter – February 2022 The latest edition of the Environment newsletter has information on: Dates for your diary; Messages from Signpost – Fertiliser part of the climate solution and ASSAP – Plan slurry application carefully; EIP Update – Lessons from SUAS: people working together; and the new farm hedge competition. View […]
19 February 2022