Articles
August management tips on beef farms
August management tips on beef farms As we move towards autumn, there are a number of tasks that need to be completed before the winter housing period, Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, shares five key tips. 1). Scanning of suckler cows Bulls should have been removed from most spring-calving herds by mid-July, […]
18 August 2024
The importance of monitoring ewe body condition score
The importance of monitoring ewe body condition score Eamon Patten, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe, highlights the importance of body condition scoring your ewe flock, explaining that “with the right score, there is always a better chance of winning the match.” Most mid-season flocks have just completed weaning, with ewes on a restricted […]
18 August 2024
Making contract rearing a ‘win-win’ for all involved
Making contract rearing a ‘win-win’ for all involved Contracting out heifer rearing offers many benefits once both parties take time to draw up a tailor-made agreement that covers all the potential scenarios that can arise, Collaborative Farming Specialist at Teagasc, Ruth Fennell shares the key details. Cuts to organic nitrogen stocking rates, […]
17 August 2024
Signpost Update: Overcoming an ACRES setback and focusing on crop management
Signpost Update: Overcoming an ACRES setback and focusing on crop management Tom Barry, Signpost participant and tillage farmer from Co. Cork, gives an update on an ACRES setback on his farm, crop performance and early harvest progress. It’s been a few months since my last Signpost update at the start of April. […]
17 August 2024
Growing Wild: Scarlet Waxcap and Yellow Meadow Ants
Growing Wild: Scarlet Waxcap and Yellow Meadow Ants Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, takes a closer look at some of our native Irish biodiversity, focusing this time on Scarlet Waxcap and Yellow Meadow Ants. Scarlet Waxcap Look out for scarlet waxcaps, one of our waxcap fungi found in tightly grazed areas […]
17 August 2024
200 farmers wanted for earlier finishing research project
200 farmers wanted for earlier finishing research project Over 200 beef farmers will have the opportunity to partake in the recently launched Beef-Quest research project. Along with identifying the barriers to achieving an earlier age of finish for beef cattle nationally, participating farmers can avail of a range of benefits. These benefits […]
16 August 2024
Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme: Offering financial support for Reforestation
Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme: Offering financial support for Reforestation Padraic O’Leary discusses the Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme, which aims to enhance forest resilience to climate change through diverse reforestation practices, offering financial support and environmental benefits to participating farmers. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) recently launched […]
16 August 2024
Empty days – a hidden but very real cost
Empty days – a hidden but very real cost Louise Clarke and Ciarán Carroll discuss how “non-productive days” (NPDs) in breeding sows impact herd efficiency and profitability, emphasizing the importance of managing factors like “not in pig” sows (NIPs), repeat breeding, and environmental conditions to minimize NPDs and improve productivity. Empty days […]
16 August 2024
‘10 Practical Steps to Protect Equine Health’ Video Series Launched
‘10 Practical Steps to Protect Equine Health’ Video Series Launched Teagasc, The Irish Equine Centre, and University College Dublin’s School of Veterinary Medicine joined forces with industry ambassadors to provide 10 practical steps to protecting the health of all equines in the national herd, illustrated using 10 short videos. Equine health is […]
16 August 2024
Harvest lull an opportunity to drill winter oilseed rape
Harvest lull an opportunity to drill winter oilseed rape With a lull in the harvest at the moment, Crops Specialist at Teagasc, Shay Phelan tells us why now is the opportune time to drill winter oilseed rape, while also offering key advice on variety selection and weed control. As most spring barley […]
15 August 2024