Environment
Multi-species grassland swards enhance soil biology
Multi-species grassland swards enhance soil biology New research from the Teagasc Environment Research Centre, Johnstown Castle shows that higher plant diversity of intensively managed multi-species swards enhances belowground soil biodiversity and health. The study, which has been published in the international scientific journal, ‘European Journal of Soil Biology’, showed that as grasslands […]
26 September 2023
Hedgerows and ACRES requirements
Hedgerows and ACRES requirements Mary Roache, Teagasc Advisor, Westport, tells us how the immense value of hedges on Irish farms is increasingly being recognised in legislation, conditionality and farm schemes. Of the 110 bird species regularly recorded during the breeding season in Ireland 55 use hedgerows and of these 35 species nest […]
24 September 2023
Seven-day extension to slurry spreading period
Seven-day extension to slurry spreading period A one-week extension for the application of slurry has been granted, with the closed period for slurry spreading now commencing on October 8 rather than September 30, 2023. In light of the recent wet period of weather and considering the scientific criteria to determine whether the […]
22 September 2023
Eddy’s role in monitoring carbon
Eddy’s role in monitoring carbon James Rambaud, Carbon Emissions & Sequestration Technologist, reports on the use of Eddy Covariance Flux Towers and why Teagasc is installing 28 of these measuring devices on sites across the country. In 2021, the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine funded the National Agricultural Soil Carbon […]
21 September 2023
Factors influencing contaminant losses to water
Factors influencing contaminant losses to water Soil type influences nutrient loss from farms and, as part of this year’s National Ploughing Championships, the Teagasc Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) is demonstrating a rainfall simulator to show how rainwater moves through various soil types. The loss of contaminants such as nutrients, […]
19 September 2023
‘Grass for Gas’- Are Anaerobic Digesters and Energy Farming a possibility for the Future?
‘Grass for Gas’- Are Anaerobic Digesters and Energy Farming a possibility for the Future? Ciara Beausang, PhD, Anaerobic Digestion Research Officer, Teagasc, joins us to discuss the Anaerobic Digestion Plant (AD) in Teagasc Grange where organic waste and residues are converted into biogas by a group of microorganisms in an anaerobic environment. […]
18 September 2023
Reducing gaseous emissions from manure management in Ireland
Reducing gaseous emissions from manure management in Ireland Farmers, policy makers and regulators require support to ensure Ireland is capable of meeting both its greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions reduction targets. These comments were made by Dr Karl Richards, the recently appointed Head of Teagasc Climate Centre, at the 18th international RAMIRAN Conference […]
17 September 2023
Signpost Series: Harnessing our hedgerows for the future
Signpost Series: Harnessing our hedgerows for the future On this episode of the Signpost Series, Pat Murphy, Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, is joined by Dr Lilian O’Sullivan, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, to discuss harnessing our hedgerows for the future. A questions and answers session took place at the end of […]
14 September 2023
Dr Karl Richards appointed Head of Teagasc Climate Centre
Dr Karl Richards appointed Head of Teagasc Climate Centre Teagasc has appointed Dr Karl Richards as Head of the Teagasc Climate Centre. The Teagasc Authority approved the appointment at its meeting last week. Dr Richards has been acting head of the Teagasc Climate Centre since December 2022, when the Teagasc Climate Action […]
11 September 2023
TB hasn’t gone away – it’s on the rise again
TB hasn’t gone away – it’s on the rise again With TB on the rise nationally, have we taken our eye off the ball in stopping the spread of this devastating infectious disease? Veterinary Inspector and Regional Manager in Kilkenny and Waterford Regional Veterinary Office, Ann Quinn joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre […]
10 September 2023