Articles
Equine health: Don’t overlook forage and bedding quality
Equine health: Don’t overlook forage and bedding quality Equine producers were reminded to assess forage and bedding hygiene, and provide suitable storage facilities, through a video produced as part of the 10 Practical Steps to Protect Equine Health series. In the video jointly produced by Teagasc, the Irish Equine Centre and University […]
26 August 2024
Decision support tools can facilitate more sustainable beef-on-dairy systems
Decision support tools can facilitate more sustainable beef-on-dairy systems Siobhan Ring, Senior Geneticist at the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), tells us how tools such as the Dairy Beef Index and Commercial Beef Value can facilitate most sustainable beef-on-dairy systems. The dairy and beef sectors are intrinsically linked. Approximately 75-80% of calves […]
25 August 2024
Bovine TB in dairy herds: Taking action to reduce the risk of breakdown
Bovine TB in dairy herds: Taking action to reduce the risk of breakdown Levels of bovine TB have been rising since 2016. In June 2024, 5.12% of herds had a breakdown in the preceding 12 months, with 32,118 reactors in that period. This has resulted in 5,242 herds being restricted. Dairy herds […]
25 August 2024
Earlier finishing the goal on DairyBeef 500 farms
Earlier finishing the goal on DairyBeef 500 farms One of the DairyBeef 500 Programme’s objectives is to reduce age of finish without compromising on carcass weight and quality, Tommy Cox, DairyBeef 500 Advisor, tells us more while also detailing the performance of steers, heifers and bulls on programme farms over 2023. Agriculture […]
25 August 2024
Concrete slats versus rubber-covered slats
Concrete slats versus rubber-covered slats Researchers in Teagasc Grange have assessed the effect of concrete slats versus rubber-covered slats on the performance and welfare of finishing and weanling cattle. Results of these studies were presented in a paper published by Bernadette Earley, Mark McGee, Edward O’Riordan, Alan Kelly and Cathy McGettigan as […]
24 August 2024
Grass10 Weekly Grazing Management Update: PastureBase Insights, Autumn Grazing Targets, and Weather Challenges
Grass10 Weekly Grazing Management Update: PastureBase Insights, Autumn Grazing Targets, and Weather Challenges Joseph Dunphy provides a Grass10 grazing update, highlighting current PastureBase data, autumn grazing challenges, and speaks with contract rearer Billy Gilmore of Tuam, Co. Galway. For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, Joseph Dunphy discusses PastureBase data, Dry Matter […]
24 August 2024
What milk makes
What milk makes Visitors to the 81st Virginia Show were treated to a visual display by Teagasc researchers that unveiled the numerous products ensuing from the processing of raw milk. Presented by researchers Jonathan Magan, Conor Fitzpatrick and Liam Kelly of the Teagasc Food Chemistry and Technology Department, Moorepark, their presentation centred […]
23 August 2024
Growing Wild: Haws and Powdery Mildew on Whitethorn
Growing Wild: Haws and Powdery Mildew on Whitethorn Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity, focusing this time on Haws and Powdery Mildew on Whitethorn. Haws on Whitethorn Look out for haws on whitethorn and note where they are occurring – on […]
23 August 2024
Farm safety: Farm construction and work at height
Farm safety: Farm construction and work at height Louise Clarke emphasises the importance of prioritising health and safety on pig farms, particularly during maintenance and repair work, to prevent accidents and fatalities. A pig farm is a busy place where several tasks are being completed each day and health and safety should […]
23 August 2024
Richie Hackett explains how cover crops offer multiple benefits for farmers
Richie Hackett explains how cover crops offer multiple benefits for farmers Cover crops have many benefits for a farmer and also for the wider landscape. On this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Dr Richie Hackett, Teagasc Crops Researcher in Oak Park, delves into the benefits and pitfalls when growing cover crops. Richie cautions […]
22 August 2024