Environment

Encouraging Irish butterflies on farmland

Jesmond Harding, Conservation Officer, Butterfly Conservation Ireland, joined Cathal Somers on the latest podcast version of the Signpost Series to discuss encouraging Irish butterflies on farmland.
29 March 2025

Farming and Biodiversity National Network launched

The three-year Farmer-focused Biodiversity and Agricultural Knowledge Network (FarmBioNet) Horizon project launched in January 2025. FarmBioNet aims to help farmers and foresters to provide habitats for biodiversity on their land.
28 March 2025

Protecting farmland biodiversity without even realising it

Claudia Barry and Dr. Saorla Kavanagh highlight a visit by SETU final-year Agricultural Science students to Teagasc Johnstown Castle. Through interactive sessions, students discovered they were already practicing biodiversity-friendly farming, without even realising it.
27 March 2025

Schemes and grants available in forestry and agroforestry

Teagasc Forestry Specialist, Frances McHugh, joins us to chat about the financial supports which encourage people to develop and manage sustainable forests - and you don't have to be a farmer to apply.
25 March 2025

With current fertiliser prices organic manures are more valuable than ever!

Now is the time to plan for grazing and silage while making the most of nutrients on-farm. Smart slurry use boosts soil fertility, saves costs, and protects the environment. Plan wisely for a productive season! Anne O’ Malley, Business & Technology Advisor, tells us more.
25 March 2025

Advancements to maximise the value of nutrients in slurry for cereal crops

John Mahon, Teagasc Signpost Tillage Advisor, tells us about how advancements in machinery technology have improved management of slurry application to cereal crops allowing optimisation of nutrient recovery and lower chemical fertiliser costs.
24 March 2025

Adhering to buffer zones

When farmers are applying fertilisers and pesticides, they need to be aware that they are required to utilise riparian buffer zones to minimise any potential losses to water, Teagasc Soils and Environment Advisor in Castlerea, Kieran Kenny reminds us of the key buffers.
22 March 2025

Why LESS gives more

Low emissions slurry spreading (LESS) is a precision technology that reduces nitrogen losses to the air and allows for greater nitrogen use efficiency, Eamonn Dempsey, Advisor in Teagasc Tralee, tells us more.
21 March 2025

The role of phosphorus in grass growth

Phosphorus plays a critical role in grass growth, but its management is essential to avoid losses to watercourses. Colm Kelly, Climate Action & Sustainability Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, offers key advice on P's importance for grassland performance and how to reduce the risk of losses.
20 March 2025

Advancing environmental science

As part of our Teagasc Thought Leaders series, Catriona Boyle spoke with Karen Daly recently about her research priorities for driving the adoption of sustainable agriculture systems and strengthening climate resilience.
19 March 2025

The shamrock: More than just a symbol of Ireland

Synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the three-leaved shamrock is deeply ingrained in Irish culture, biodiversity and ecology, Biodiversity Specialist at Teagasc, Ivan Kelly tells us more.
17 March 2025

Getting the timing right when applying nutrients

Results of soil tests analysed by Teagasc shows there’s a clear need to focus on soil fertility on dairy farms. In this article, Signpost Programme Advisor, Liam Quinn explains why the timing of nutrient applications is important to maximise grass growth.
11 March 2025

Farm PEAT EIP - Overview and Key Learnings

On this episode of the Signpost Series, host Cathal Somers, Water Quality Specialist, Teagasc was joined by Caroline Lalor, FarmPEAT Project Manager and Bernie Duffy, FarmPEAT Local Liaison Officer to provide an insight into the FarmPEAT EIP, along with the key learnings
09 March 2025

Agriculture - a powerful tool for carbon sequestration and emissions reduction?

Carolanne O’Brien, Project Advisor on the ClimateSmartAdvisors Project reports from this week’s Carbon Farming Summit in Dublin, where agriculture’s role in becoming a powerful tool for carbon sequestration and emissions reduction was explored.
07 March 2025

Changes to the nitrates regulations… Again!

The mid-term review of the fifth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) has introduced 10 new requirements to the Good Agricultural Practice regulations, Specialist on the Agricultural Catchments Programme, Eddie Burgess tells us more.
06 March 2025

Final chance to enter 2025 Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards

With a total prize fund of €30,000, farmers have just days left to apply for the 2025 Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards.
05 March 2025

Enteric methane: generating new baselines

Improving enteric methane emission estimates from ruminant livestock is an important step towards more informed decision- making on appropriate mitigation strategies.
04 March 2025

Boosting Biodiversity: The FarmBioNet Project Kicks-off

The FarmBioNet Project, uniting 33 partners from 13 countries kicked off in Dublin recently. This EU-funded initiative champions biodiversity-friendly farming while ensuring agricultural productivity. Claudia Barry, Meritxell Grau and Saorla Kavanagh tell us more.
04 March 2025

Protect our birds: No hedge cutting in nesting season

Hedges are essential for many bird species. They offer food, shelter, and nesting sites. Cutting hedges at the wrong time can harm birds and their young. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, tells us more.
03 March 2025

The implications for forest owners after Storm Éowyn

With 24,000 hectares of forestry windblown as a result of recent storms, making up 3% of the total planted forestry in Ireland, where can forest owners go from here and what support and advice is available?
03 March 2025

Everything farmers need to know about putting solar panels on sheds

Barry Caslin highlights how farmers, blessed with extensive roof areas ideal for solar panel installations, can turn these underutilized areas into energy-generating assets. This can help meet their energy needs & provide the potential to contribute to the national grid.
03 March 2025

Getting the most from your slurry

Organic manure is a valuable source of plant nutrients. To get the most from the phosphorus (P) & potassium (K) content, as well as the nitrogen (N) in slurry, it must go to the right place at the right time & be spread at the right rate. Using slurry also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions
03 March 2025

Put lime at the top of your fertiliser shopping list

Drystock farmers have been encouraged to make spreading lime a priority on their farms this year.
27 February 2025

Nutrient Management Planning: An Essential for Sustainable Farming

Have you completed your Nutrient Management Plan? Veronica Nyhan, Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist at Teagasc, tells us why it is now a necessity for all arable farms.
20 February 2025

Shane Keaveney’s actions to protect water quality

Shane Keaveney, a suckler farmer from Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon, is going above and beyond to lessen the impact of his farming practices on water quality – specifically the watercourse bounding his farm.
20 February 2025

Valuing slurry – the importance of testing

Organic manures such as slurry are a very valuable resource. Not only can they boost soil fertility, but when used effectively, they can allow for considerable savings on chemical fertiliser spend.
18 February 2025

From the ground up: ten years of SIS

Ten years ago, the Irish Soils Information System (SIS) was launched. Senior Research Officer Réamonn Fealy reviews its historical context, development and usage – and considers emerging demands for soil data and how these may be met by technology.
15 February 2025

Noel Meehan appointed as Head of Teagasc Water Quality Knowledge Transfer Department

Teagasc has appointed Noel Meehan as Head of its Water Quality Knowledge Transfer Department. The appointment was approved by the Teagasc Authority at its recent meeting.
11 February 2025

Clover and soil fertility on a Golden Vale dairy farm

Farming in the heart of the Golden Vale, Edwin Thompson and his family milk 160 cows on 86 ha near Golden, Co. Tipperary. Liam Quinn, Teagasc Signpost Programme Adviser, explores how Edwin’s focus on clover, soil fertility, and smart nutrient management is cutting emissions and boosting productivity
09 February 2025

All-round soil health is key to reducing farm emissions

Soil fertility management is helping to deliver emission reduction targets, a primary goal of the Teagasc Signpost farms programme, Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil Specialist, tells us more.
08 February 2025