Articles
Using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) after calving
Calving is currently in full swing on most dairy farms, with many tasks needing to be completed each day. One of these important tasks is carrying out the California Mastitis Test (CMT) on freshly calved cows, typically around five days after calving, Padraig O’Connor, Dairy Technician at Teagasc Grange, outlines the process.
16 February 2026
Management and Feeding of Ewes Pre-Lambing
Proper nutrition of ewes in the weeks leading up to lambing is one of the most important factors influencing lamb survival, ewe health, and overall flock productivity. John Enda Flannelly tells us more.
15 February 2026
Ovicast: February Grass Update
Grass10 advisor, Nikki Kennedy, the latest episode of the Ovicast podcast us to discuss key grassland management priorities for the weeks ahead.
14 February 2026
Horticulture Apprenticeship Student Experiences
The Horticulture Apprenticeship programme at the College of Amenity Horticulture, Botanic Gardens & Ashtown attracts students from diverse backgrounds, sharing a passion for working with plants, landscapes, and outdoor spaces. As the 2025 - 2027 cohort settles into Year 1, students share their experiences of the course so far.
14 February 2026
Construction begins on The Padraig Walshe Centre for Sustainable Animal and Grassland Research at Teagasc Moorepark after €6 million FBD contribution
Teagasc marked the start of construction on the Padraig Walshe Centre for Sustainable Animal and Grassland Research at Moorepark on Thursday, 12 February 2026. A €6 million contribution made by FBD Holdings plc, FBD Trust CLG and Farmer Business Developments plc matched by €6 million funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will support the development of the new centre, which will be named in honour of the late Padraig Walshe.
13 February 2026
Reforestation following harvest
Once a forest has been clearfelled, the same area needs to be restocked with a new generation of trees. The focus of this reforestation is to provide an ideal planting environment, encourage strong growth of the most suitable tree species and minimise losses or growth delays. Teagasc Forestry Advisor Kevin O’Connell tells us more.
13 February 2026
Getting the Cow ready for Calving
We’re quickly heading into calving on many suckler farms. Now is the time to prepare, because the steps you take in the coming weeks will set the foundation for a smooth calving period and, ultimately, the performance of the whole year. Enda Neylan tells us more.
13 February 2026
2025 winner, Don Somers, on the importance of the Environmental Sustainability Award
Don Somers, the Wexford tillage farmer who won the 2025 Teagasc–FBD Environmental Sustainability Award, and Siobhán Kavanagh from Teagasc’s Signpost Farm programme, join Michael Hennessy on this week’s Tillage Edge.
13 February 2026
Reducing losses at lambing
Lambing is one of the most important events on any sheep farm. In this article, Bernadette Bennett, Teagasc Portlaoise, reflects on some of the key messages shared at a recent pre-lambing workshop which prepared farmers in the Teagasc Laois/Offaly/Kildare Advisory Region for the season ahead.
13 February 2026
Milking interval – time to make the change
With spring calving entering full swing, one of the simplest and most effective changes farmers can make to improve labour efficiency is adopting a 16:8 milking interval.
12 February 2026