Environment

Water quality and Teagasc’s agricultural catchments programme
0 Water quality and Teagasc’s agricultural catchments programme Mark Boland, Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme Advisor, describes how targeted management, like Declan Roche’s efforts in the Ballycanew catchment, can significantly improve soil pH and phosphorus levels, reduce nitrogen usage, and enhance sustainable farming practices. Teagasc’s agricultural catchments programme (ACP) has been monitoring water quality and […]
5 March 2024

Watch: Signpost Series: Managing Health and Safety in the busy spring season
0 Watch: Signpost Series: Managing Health and Safety in the busy spring season On this episode of the Signpost Series, Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department was joined by Dr. John McNamara & Francis Bligh, Health and Safety Specialists, Teagasc to discuss managing health and safety in the busy spring […]
3 March 2024
Growing Wild: Blackthorn flowers and whitethorn leaves
0 Growing Wild: Blackthorn flowers and whitethorn leaves Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity, highlighting the key features of blackthorn and whitethorn – species often found in Irish hedgerows. Blackthorn flowers Look out for the first blackthorn flowers (pictured above), with small […]
3 March 2024

Tighter rules on slurry movements
0 Tighter rules on slurry movements Farmers exporting slurry to stay within nitrates limits are facing additional requirements to verify its movement from farm-to-farm. On February 29, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) announced a suite of nitrates proposals to improve water quality as part of a review of the […]
1 March 2024

Speeding up the process of getting your fertiliser shopping list
Speeding up the process of getting your fertiliser shopping list The introduction of the National Fertiliser Database, along with changes to the Nitrates Action Plan (NAP), has seen more farmers seeking advice when it comes to knowing their compliance limits and what fertiliser products they can purchase this year. Speaking a part […]
29 February 2024

Traditional fertiliser programmes no longer cut it
Traditional fertiliser programmes no longer cut it A combination of maintaining and increasing grass/crop yields, environment challenges pertaining to reducing emissions and losses to water, along with targeting improvements in soil fertility, has brought about a change in the fertiliser programmes required on farms. This was a key message from Pat Murphy, […]
28 February 2024

Deadline for hedge cutting approaches
Deadline for hedge cutting approaches Farmers are being reminded that the prohibited period for hedge cutting comes into force from March 1. As contained within the Wildlife Act 1976, the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch between March 1 and August 31 is prohibited. […]
27 February 2024
Deadline for entering Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards approaching
Deadline for entering Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards approaching The Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards aim to promote environmentally sustainable farming and recognise the progress that farmers are making to lighten the load of farming on the environment, while continuing to produce high quality, nutritious food, in a profitable manner. The Awards will recognise […]
26 February 2024

New biodiversity pilot project brings Dexter cows to Galway City
New biodiversity pilot project brings Dexter cows to Galway City Joanne Masterson, Soils & Environment Advisor, tells us about a new biodiversity pilot project which is being run by Galway City Council bringing eight Dexter cows to graze the headland east of Ballyloughnane Beach in Renmore until March 2024. The name ‘Buaile’ […]
25 February 2024

Watch: Signpost Series: Slurry – Maximising agricultural benefits, minimising environmental losses
Watch: Signpost Series: Slurry – Maximising agricultural benefits, minimising environmental losses On this episode of the Signpost Series, Pat Murphy, Head of Environment KT, Teagasc was joined by Noel Meehan, ASSAP Programme Manager, Teagasc to discuss slurry – maximising agricultural benefits, minimising environmental losses. A questions and answers session took place at […]
24 February 2024