Articles
Enhancing biodiversity – Ken Gill’s approach
Enhancing biodiversity – Ken Gill’s approach Operating an organic suckler system in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly, Ken Gill was crowned the winner of the Enhancing Biodiversity category of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024. Dr Siobhán Kavanagh, Signpost Programme Communications and Engagement Specialist, takes a closer look at the actions being taken […]
13 December 2024
Pig farm energy costs – analysing your bills
Pig farm energy costs – analysing your bills While energy prices have gradually reduced in the last two years, Pig Development Officer at Teagasc, Emer McCrum explains why now is an opportune time to for pig farmers to review their individual situation and plan measures to reduce this cost. Energy costs, including […]
13 December 2024
Calculating tillage incomes for 2024
Calculating tillage incomes for 2024 Teagasc Economist, Dr. Fiona Thorne discusses the key findings from the recent Teagasc Outlook 2025 conference on this week’s Tillage Edge. Tillage farm incomes are expected to rebound after the tough year of 2023, with estimates showing a 40% increase in 2024 and further gains in 2025. […]
12 December 2024
Strengthening equine futures at Kildalton College
Strengthening equine futures at Kildalton College At Kildalton College, the Equine Department is piloting a new fitness programme which runs alongside the riding module for Level 5 Equitation students. The programme includes a range of physical activities including cycling, hiking, running, circuit training, and Pilates, and the students will be taking part […]
12 December 2024
Early insights point to reductions in river nitrogen concentrations
Early insights point to reductions in river nitrogen concentrations A new report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided early insights into the nitrogen concentrations in 20 major rivers across Ireland from January to June 2024. Published in advance of the EPA’s more comprehensive annual water quality assessments in June […]
12 December 2024
Straw incorporation – its role in achieving net zero on tillage farms
Straw incorporation – its role in achieving net zero on tillage farms Ciaran Collins, Crops Specialist at Teagasc, takes a closer look at straw incorporation and its important role in achieving net zero on tillage farms. This follows an announcement by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that Straw Incorporation […]
12 December 2024
Contract heifer rearing – Liam Cassin’s experience
Contract heifer rearing – Liam Cassin’s experience Kilkenny farmer, Liam Cassin is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his contract heifer rearing system. Liam moved from sheep to suckler cows and started contract heifer rearing 14 years ago. The steady monthly cashflow alongside the reduced financial input of purchasing stock […]
11 December 2024
Outlook for cattle farming in 2025
Outlook for cattle farming in 2025 As part of the Teagasc Outlook 2025, Economic Prospects for Agriculture, Jason Loughrey and Kevin Hanrahan of the Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department, Teagasc, forecast the expenditure for various input items and the beef price that is most likely to prevail in 2025. They also […]
11 December 2024
Lightening the workload through infrastructure
Lightening the workload through infrastructure In order to maximise labour efficiency, Future Beef farmer Cathal Irwin has made a number of strategic investments on his farm over the last year. Farming 27.7ha in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Cathal’s beef enterprise is of a part-time nature. The progeny from his 18 spring-calving suckler cows […]
11 December 2024
Sustain Sheep: Breeding for lower-emitting animals
Sustain Sheep: Breeding for lower-emitting animals A new international project creating knowledge and infrastructure to incorporate genetic merit for low environmental impact traits into national breeding schemes for sheep is being led by Teagasc, with the support of Sheep Ireland. Teagasc has received funding for the project from the Department of Agriculture, […]
10 December 2024