Articles
Ensuring breeding success with maiden heifers
Ensuring breeding success with maiden heifers With the difficult conditions at farm level, much of the conversation over the last number of weeks has centred on ensuring the milking herd are properly fed. These conditions have also meant that maiden heifers have remained housed on a lot of farms for longer than […]
15 April 2024
10 things to consider before breeding season starts
10 things to consider before breeding season starts With the breeding season fast approaching on dairy farms, Dr Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc, outlines 10 things to consider before the breeding season starts. 1. Breeding start date What is your optimal start date for breeding? On early farms […]
15 April 2024
Options to complete the green cert
Options to complete the green cert Teagasc offers a wide range of courses for those embarking on their journey into agricultural education, including the ‘green cert’ – the umbrella term referring to a number of courses associated with qualifying farmers for the various Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine or Revenue schemes. […]
15 April 2024
Cleaning without chlorine
Cleaning without chlorine Chlorate residues in milk are a no-no for processors. Farmers, in turn, are concerned about heat-resistant ‘thermoduric’ bacteria. Fortunately ‘chlorine-free’ cleaning has now proven to be very effective in controlling thermoduric bacteria levels in milk. Bernadette O’Brien, David Gleeson and Lorna Twomey, Teagasc Moorepark, tell us more. Extensive research by […]
14 April 2024
Close up fields now for quality silage in May
Close up fields now for quality silage in May John Galvin, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, discusses the challenges faced by farmers due to excessive rainfall and poor weather conditions impacting silage making, emphasising the importance of planning and quality silage production to meet livestock needs. How can you close what has […]
14 April 2024
Crop establishments, silage supplies and slurry storage pressures continue
Crop establishments, silage supplies and slurry storage pressures continue The convening of the National Fodder and Feed Security Committee on April 9 heard that pressures relating to spring crop establishments, silage supplies and slurry storage are continuing to create significant challenges at farm level. Addressing the committee, Michael Hennessy, Teagasc Head of […]
13 April 2024
Treating scour challenges after an extended housing period
Treating scour challenges after an extended housing period A wet start to 2024 has delayed the turnout of spring-born calves and their dams to grass – heightening the risk of health issues developing. As the indoor period extends, rain continues to fall and straw supplies diminish or exhaust, the risk of a […]
13 April 2024
Overcoming the adverse weather challenges on sheep farms
Overcoming the adverse weather challenges on sheep farms Eamon Patten, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe, discusses challenges faced by sheep farmers during lambing season due to adverse weather, including maintaining hygiene, ensuring strong ewe-lamb bonding, managing grass supplies and preventing health issues. Lambing of mid-season ewes is near completion on many farms and […]
13 April 2024
Ability to rapidly analyse soil samples advanced in Terra Soil project
Ability to rapidly analyse soil samples advanced in Terra Soil project Results of the five-year Terra Soil project, a collaboration between Teagasc and Geological Survey Ireland, were released at its final conference, today, April 12. As part of the project, over 10,000 soil samples were analysed and investigated to help better understand […]
12 April 2024
Forestry and Direct Payment Interactions 2024
Forestry and Direct Payment Interactions 2024 It’s that time of year again to focus on your Direct Payments and online application. In this article, Teagasc forestry specialist Tom Houlihan considers some key Direct Payment interactions with regard to forestry and trees on the farm. Completing and submitting the online Basis Income Support […]
12 April 2024