Articles
Summer decisions affect winter performance on organic farms
Summer decisions affect winter performance on organic farms Although the differences between organic and conventional farming are numerous, one key aspect is central to both – the importance of silage quality. The silage quantity versus quality debate is an annual occurrence on drystock farms, with many still favouring a heavy, bulky cut […]
23 April 2023
Gardening tools: Think before you buy
Gardening tools: Think before you buy Chris Heavey, Lecturer at the Teagasc College at the National Botanic Gardens, explains why the secateurs and the spade are the two gardening tools he can’t do without in this article. Pruning a tree or a rose bush requires a secateurs, a loppers and perhaps a […]
23 April 2023
The importance of silage quality for beef production systems
The importance of silage quality for beef production systems Grass silage typically makes up around one quarter to one third of total feed dry matter (DM) consumed on drystock farms. Compared to grazed grass, it is quite expensive to produce (usually twice the cost per tonne DM). However, when taken as part […]
22 April 2023
Increasing sward and animal performance with red clover
Increasing sward and animal performance with red clover High artificial nitrogen costs have sparked a renewed interest in red clover silage. When grown in conjunction with a companion grass, these crops have the potential to provide a winter feed to livestock production systems from zero chemical nitrogen input. Dr. Nicky Byrne, Research […]
22 April 2023
Calving 100% of cows in a six-week window
Calving 100% of cows in a six-week window Ken Gill farms full time in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly. A full symbol organic producer, Ken operates an autumn-calving suckler system, with all animals brought to beef. With 100% AI used to make use of the best genetics available, Ken aims to achieve a tight […]
21 April 2023
Shaped by snow and ice
Shaped by snow and ice As part of the GenESIS project, Teagasc is using genomic and phenotypic data to understand the nature of adaption and evolution in the North American Sitka spruce tree. This knowledge can then be implemented through the GenESIS research when breeding new and improved trees in Ireland. It’s […]
21 April 2023
Hydropower on farms – going with the flow
Hydropower on farms – going with the flow Fiacc O’Brolchain, Hydropower Engineer Specialist, spoke to Teagasc’s Barry Caslin about the option to generate electricity from hydro on farms. With high electricity prices and uncertainty, farmers with steep land and high, consistent volumes of rainfall may consider hydropower. Some of the power generated […]
21 April 2023
How can we decipher the effects of climate change in trees?
How can we decipher the effects of climate change in trees? Observing how trees express their reaction to different climate conditions is the starting point for researchers to answer this question. Here we are talking about phenological events in the establishment phase (such as bud bursting, flushing), but also mortality, and the […]
21 April 2023
Are you adequately insured?
Are you adequately insured? Insurance cover is very important to protect your business if an accident or tragedy occurs on the farm. It is important to understand what your insurance covers when you pay your annual premium. Gerard McCutcheon tells us more. Areas of insurance cover for pig farms There are three […]
21 April 2023
Management of nitrogen in late-sown malting barley
Management of nitrogen in late-sown malting barley Crops planted in mid-February or very early March have pushed through the growth stages and should be well positioned for management actions, such as wild oat control and fungicide application, explains Rebecca Bayley, Teagasc/Boortmalt Joint Programme Advisor. However, the delayed planting of a lot of […]
20 April 2023