Environment
Improving The Appearance of your Farm
Improving The Appearance of your Farm At various times of the year farms are very busy places of work, and can quickly become untidy and unsafe. However, no matter how busy you are, you must be safety conscience and aim to keep your farm and farmyard neat and tidy at all times. […]
21 October 2021
Nutrient Loss & the Closed Period for Spreading Manure
Nutrient Loss & the Closed Period for Spreading Manure The regulated closed period for spreading organic manures is often a source of frustration and annoyance for farmers. This is not surprising given the cost of manure storage and variation in Irish weather. Edward Burgess, Teagasc explains the research supporting the closed period […]
19 October 2021
The dark mysteries of the soil beneath our feet
The dark mysteries of the soil beneath our feet Soil is a complex matrix and its chemical composition often depends on the location in the landscape, the parent material underneath, and the influence of the management above. This article by Senior Research Officer, Dr Karen Daly, Teagasc Johnstown Castle first appeared on […]
23 September 2021
Increasing biodiversity on intensive farms
Increasing biodiversity on intensive farms Wildlife habitats such as hedgerows, field margins, ponds, wetlands, and woodlands, commonly occur on Irish farms. The retention of existing habitats is vitally important, as they typically deliver greater ecological benefits compared with newly created habitats. Wildlife habitats are vital to ecology, but they also provide important benefits […]
14 September 2021
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