Articles
New app aims to simplify sheep movements
New app aims to simplify sheep movements The development of a new digital app named ‘AIM Services’ means sheep farmers can now notify their farm-to-farm movements from their phone. Launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, use of the app – which is optional – means that flock keepers […]
26 September 2023
Mating management – the success or failure of next year’s lamb crop
Mating management – the success or failure of next year’s lamb crop The annual mating cycle sows the lamb crop for the following year. The success or failure of next year’s lamb crop hinges on steps that have been taken over the past few weeks and steps that will be taken over […]
26 September 2023
Multi-species grassland swards enhance soil biology
Multi-species grassland swards enhance soil biology New research from the Teagasc Environment Research Centre, Johnstown Castle shows that higher plant diversity of intensively managed multi-species swards enhances belowground soil biodiversity and health. The study, which has been published in the international scientific journal, ‘European Journal of Soil Biology’, showed that as grasslands […]
26 September 2023
Key requirements for calf sheds on dairy farms
Key requirements for calf sheds on dairy farms Although the start of the spring-calving season is months away, farmers have an opportunity now to make adaptions to their calf sheds that will benefit calf health and performance next spring. Tom Fallon, Farm Buildings and Infrastructure Specialist, tells us the five key requirements […]
25 September 2023
The options available to farmers impacted by the nitrates derogation reduction
The options available to farmers impacted by the nitrates derogation reduction With the recent announcement to the changes in the upper derogation limit from 250 to 220kg of organic nitrogen per hectare, this week’s Dairy Edge podcast focuses on the options available to farmers impacted. Eddie Burgess, Catchment Specialist from the Agricultural […]
25 September 2023
Beef AI usage on dairy herds up 22%
Beef AI usage on dairy herds up 22% More beef AI has been used on dairy herds over the first six months of 2023, recently published figures from the ICBF have shown. Presenting an analysis of insemination data collected from AI technicians linked to the ICBF database through their AI handheld system, […]
25 September 2023
Good handling units cut the workload and enhance safety
Good handling units cut the workload and enhance safety The TAMS 3 grants available for sheep handling facilities can help farmers cut their workload by 24 days per annum and reduce the risk of injuries. Damian Costello and Francis Bligh tell us more. A Teagasc study has found that good handling facilities […]
24 September 2023
Hedgerows and ACRES requirements
Hedgerows and ACRES requirements Mary Roache, Teagasc Advisor, Westport, tells us how the immense value of hedges on Irish farms is increasingly being recognised in legislation, conditionality and farm schemes. Of the 110 bird species regularly recorded during the breeding season in Ireland 55 use hedgerows and of these 35 species nest […]
24 September 2023
Significant farmer demand to host apprentices
Significant farmer demand to host apprentices Up to 100 farms have registered to take on the first ever farming apprentices this year. Two new farming apprenticeships – the Farm Manager apprenticeship and the Farm Technician apprenticeship – will host 30 students on each programme over a two year duration. Apprentices will be […]
24 September 2023
Store lamb markets and the challenges and potential of store lamb finishing
Store lamb markets and the challenges and potential of store lamb finishing Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep Knowledge Transfer, joins Ciaran Lynch in the first of a two-part series on store lambs. In this episode, Michael discusses the current market condition for stores, some the challenges and the potential of store lamb […]
23 September 2023