Articles
Maximising potential from renewables
Maximising potential from renewables Current levels of solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment on farms are relatively low. However, as John Upton explains, to encourage the uptake of renewable energy generation by farmers some considerable developments have recently occurred. Planning permission For solar panel installations on rooftops of agricultural premises, installations covering the entire […]
28 June 2023
What impact will the National Genotyping Programme have on the beef industry?
What impact will the National Genotyping Programme have on the beef industry? Gearóid Slattery from ICBF joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the National Genotyping Programme. The National Genotyping Programme (NGP) is a collaborative initiative enabling Ireland to take the first step in achieving a fully genotyped […]
28 June 2023
When are you going to ‘pull your bull’?
When are you going to ‘pull your bull’? The breeding season for spring-calving herds is now into its final weeks on most suckler farms. Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor, provides a refresher on the breeding targets for suckler herds and outlines how the breeding season progressed for programme farmers. Earlier calving […]
28 June 2023
Finding alternatives to chemicals for chocolate spot
Finding alternatives to chemicals for chocolate spot Chocolate spot is the main disease of faba beans in Ireland, often developing in the presence of moisture and warm weather. At the recent Teagasc Crops Open Day, Jamie-Leigh Carter provided an update on her research work, which is looking for chocolate spot resistance. Jamie-Leigh […]
28 June 2023
Approaches to reduce farm labour demand
Approaches to reduce farm labour demand Conor Hogan and Marion Beecher outline how improved time use can reduce labour demand and improve work-life balance, resulting in more attractive workplaces. There are three main approaches: work organisation; facilities; and work practices and technologies. Work organisation Characteristics of farms with effective work organisation include […]
27 June 2023
Ballyhaise’s road to clover incorporation
Ballyhaise’s road to clover incorporation Commencing in 2021, Ballyhaise College is currently in its third year of clover incorporation. Prior to that, the farm was behind the curve in terms of clover compared to other farms like Moorepark, which had already demonstrated positive outcomes from clover inclusion. On a recent episode of […]
27 June 2023
Sexed semen use in the Irish dairy industry
Sexed semen use in the Irish dairy industry The recent developments regarding the availability and uptake of sex-sorted semen in Ireland have been remarkable. There was no sex-sorted semen produced in Ireland for the 2021 breeding season, and availability was limited to a combination of a small number of Irish bulls that […]
27 June 2023
Responding to growers’ needs through oat research
Responding to growers’ needs through oat research Established in 2021, the Oats Ireland Forum is a collaboration between Teagasc and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), with a goal to share knowledge and identify research priorities to assist the sector in addressing future challenges. Atik Raham, Teagasc Research Officer, provided an update […]
27 June 2023
Farmer Actions to Improve Water Quality
Farmer Actions to Improve Water Quality Select the right measure in the right place to mitigate phosphorus, sediment and nitrogen losses to waters. Find out what the water quality status is for your local river. Use Pollution Impact Potential (PIP) maps to identify the critical source areas (CSAs) for phosphorus, sediment and […]
27 June 2023
John Pringle Farm Update – Grassland, Clover, Breeding & Performance
John Pringle Farm Update – Grassland, Clover, Breeding & Performance John farms with his wife Linda, daughter Lucy and sons William and Scott. He works full-time on the farm in Kilacloran, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow. Here he gives us his farm update for May and June. Grassland management 35 acres of silage has […]
26 June 2023