Articles
Grassland management tips for this spring
Grassland management tips for this spring With a difficult spring leading to challenging grazing conditions, Teagasc Grass10 Manager, John Maher is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with his top tips in relation to grassland management this spring. John discusses the current soil temperatures and grass growth across the country. He also explains […]
28 February 2024
Calf rearing: Getting the basics right
Calf rearing: Getting the basics right Gordon Peppard, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Advisor, looks the important performance targets for calf rearers this spring, while also providing a guide on the typical variable costs associated with calf rearing. Performance targets Many bought in calves will have either come through marts/agents and will have been […]
28 February 2024
Traditional fertiliser programmes no longer cut it
Traditional fertiliser programmes no longer cut it A combination of maintaining and increasing grass/crop yields, environment challenges pertaining to reducing emissions and losses to water, along with targeting improvements in soil fertility, has brought about a change in the fertiliser programmes required on farms. This was a key message from Pat Murphy, […]
28 February 2024
How to correctly set up a fertiliser spreader
How to correctly set up a fertiliser spreader When focusing on improving fertiliser use efficiently, one often overlooked aspect for the return on investment is the fertiliser spreader itself. For this episode of OviCast, Ciaran Lynch is joined by Francis Quigley, Teagasc Machinery Specialist, who takes us through some of the practical […]
27 February 2024
Grass Tetany prevention in ewes
Grass Tetany prevention in ewes Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Programme, Mellows Centre, Athenry, writes on grass tetany, the factors that predispose ewes to the condition and the preventative measures available. The lambing of mid-season flocks is upon us and with it comes the welcome site […]
27 February 2024
PGRs and tillering in malting barley
PGRs and tillering in malting barley A trial conducted as part of the Teagasc/Boortmalt Joint Programme looked at the effectiveness of plant growth regulator (PGR) to promote tiller production in spring malting barley crops when sown at optimum and sub-optimum seeding rates. Joint Programme Advisor, Rebecca Bayley presented the key findings of […]
27 February 2024
Deadline for hedge cutting approaches
Deadline for hedge cutting approaches Farmers are being reminded that the prohibited period for hedge cutting comes into force from March 1. As contained within the Wildlife Act 1976, the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch between March 1 and August 31 is prohibited. […]
27 February 2024
Over 50,000 tonnes of organic feed needed next winter
Over 50,000 tonnes of organic feed needed next winter There’s been a boom in organic farming, with the number of organic farmers doubling to 4,000 in 2023, and an additional 1,000 farmers signing up for the Organic Farming Scheme in 2024. This growth means that, by 2024, organic farms will cover 5% […]
27 February 2024
Organic beef finishing systems to be explored at Johnstown Castle
Organic beef finishing systems to be explored at Johnstown Castle Plans are in place to develop an organic beef research farm at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. Joe Kelleher, Teagasc Organic Specialists, tells us more. There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of farmers converting to organics over the past two […]
26 February 2024
Beans make sense
Beans make sense Ciarán Collins highlights the growing popularity of beans due to their role as sustainable protein sources and the advantages of crop rotation, making beans an economically viable and environmentally friendly choice. The increasing interest in beans in recent years stems from two main factors. Firstly, there’s the influence of […]
26 February 2024