Articles
Reducing Your Farm’s Impact on Water Quality This Autumn
Reducing Your Farm’s Impact on Water Quality This Autumn Richard Gill writes about how farmers can protect water quality by implementing a range of practices, from optimal fertiliser application to investing in infrastructure like fencing and solar-powered water pumps. Farmers can play a crucial role in safeguarding water quality by implementing various […]
31 August 2024
Why birds need hedges
Why birds need hedges Of the 110 species regularly recorded in the Countryside Bird Survey in Ireland during the breeding season, 55 use hedges. Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, and Niall Hatch, BirdWatch Ireland, tell us more. 35 bird species nest in hedges that provide enough cover from predators, both overhead […]
31 August 2024
Preparing for weaning: The ‘why’ of concentrate feeding
Preparing for weaning: The ‘why’ of concentrate feeding Through participation in the 2024 Beef Welfare Scheme, suckler farmers are being supported to feed calves concentrates pre and post weaning, but what benefits does it bring? Joining Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, on a recent episode of the Beef Edge podcast was John […]
30 August 2024
All you need to know about weeds
All you need to know about weeds Vijaya Bhaskar A.V., Dermot Forristal and Michael Hennessy, discuss the challenges of managing herbicide-resistant weeds in Irish tillage farming, emphasizing the need for integrated weed management strategies to combat the growing resistance, which threatens crop yields and farming sustainability. Irish agriculture occupies 4.5 million hectares with 92% devoted […]
30 August 2024
Good seedbed conditions is the most important factor for a successful crop of oilseed rape
Good seedbed conditions is the most important factor for a successful crop of oilseed rape Ciaran Collins discusses the challenges and considerations for planting winter oilseed rape, particularly focusing on the impact of delayed spring barley harvests, optimal sowing dates, seedbed conditions, and pest control. Oilseed rape has taken a back seat […]
30 August 2024
Healthy hedges deliver for biodiversity
Healthy hedges deliver for biodiversity As part of National Hedgerow Week 2024, Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, tells us of the biodiversity benefits of healthy hedges. All native hedges are incredibly important for biodiversity. They are generally 200 years old and, in addition to the hedge plants, the ground vegetation and […]
30 August 2024
2025 RDS Forest Awards – Don’t forget to enter
2025 RDS Forest Awards – Don’t forget to enter We are fast approaching the closing date for entries for this year’s RDS Irish Forest and Woodland Awards. The application deadline is 12 PM, Monday September 9, 2024. With a prize fund of €12,000, these highly attractive awards promote the economic, environmental and […]
30 August 2024
Animal welfare in focus at international conference
Animal welfare in focus at international conference The 9th International Conference on the Welfare Assessment of Animals at Farm and Group Level (WAFL) takes place over the next two days in Florence, Italy. This conference was organised by Dr. Laura Boyle, Dr. Keelin O’Driscoll and Dr. Amy Quinn of Teagasc and is […]
30 August 2024
Breeding for low methane emitting animals – what’s possible?
Breeding for low methane emitting animals – what’s possible? An upcoming webinar will highlight the research ongoing to investigate the potential of breeding for low emissions animals as a methane mitigation approach in both Ireland and New Zealand. The webinar titled: ‘Breeding for low methane emitting animals – what’s possible?’ will highlight […]
29 August 2024
Preparing for weaning: Don’t be tempted to delay
Preparing for weaning: Don’t be tempted to delay Poorer liveweight gains on suckler beef farms, owing to a challenging spring and a summer of below average grass growth rates, has resulted in some beef farmers being tempted to delay weaning in order to make up lost ground. From an animal health perspective, […]
29 August 2024