Articles
Establishing and managing companion forages in a sheep sward
Establishing and managing companion forages in a sheep sward For this week’s OviCast, we chat to post-graduate student Lisa McGrane about some of the factors influencing the establishment and persistency of companion herb and legume forages in sheep swards. Lisa discusses some of the work they have undertaken in the area, examining […]
16 May 2023
Nutrient management of white clover swards
Nutrient management of white clover swards The benefits of white clover tend to occur from May onwards, as sward white clover content increases. The main benefits of white clover inclusion in grass swards are: Increased herbage quality compared to grass-only swards in the summer months; Increased dry matter (DM) intake in summer […]
16 May 2023
Examining the collaborative farming options
Examining the collaborative farming options Collaborative farming options are attractive arrangements for young farmers to enter a farming business. Alternatively, there are also farmers who have no identified successor and are ready to step back or retire. In this article, Gordon Peppard, Teagasc Farm Business Structures Specialist, details a number of collaborative […]
16 May 2023
Delaying silage cutting date will have a negative effect on quality and quantity
Delaying silage cutting date will have a negative effect on quality and quantity James Dunne, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, outlines the reasons why you should avoid delaying silage harvesting and looks at the quality of silage needed on dairy farms this year. Grass silage makes up around a quarter of the annual feed […]
15 May 2023
Best Practice in Milking Courses start this week
Best Practice in Milking Courses start this week The first of a number of Best Practice in Milking Courses gets underway this week. Developed in conjunction with Teagasc, Animal Health Ireland, and FRS Network, participants will develop their skills as a milker to ensure all cows are milked effectively and efficiently. The […]
15 May 2023
Grass growth and lamb performance on the BETTER sheep farms
Grass growth and lamb performance on the BETTER sheep farms Frank Campion of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway reports on grass growth and lamb performance on the BETTER sheep farms. Lambing has concluded on the lowland flocks and post-lambing grazing rotations are in full swing, with […]
15 May 2023
The soil is alive and willing to help
The soil is alive and willing to help Farming has come a long way in the last 50 years, with huge improvements in how we grow our crops and rear our animals. Cathal Somers, ASSAP Advisor, Waterford, tells us more on the importance of soil health. These days, farmers are constantly finding […]
15 May 2023
How seaweed can be used as a medicine to fight infection
How seaweed can be used as a medicine to fight infection Scientists are discovering the incredible health properties of Irish seaweeds to make medicines to combat dangerous superbugs Lots of countries across the world have used natural medicines such as seaweed for thousands of years, but only recently has their potential for […]
15 May 2023
Have you applied for the multispecies sward measure?
Have you applied for the multispecies sward measure? Multispecies swards are swards that have a variety of plants including grasses, clovers, brassicas and herbs, explains Ivan Kelly, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare. When combined in a sward setting, the various species root at varying depths allowing them to access more nutrients and […]
14 May 2023
Short Food Supply Chains: EU project gathers consumer insights
Short Food Supply Chains: EU project gathers consumer insights A resurgence of interest in Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) comes at a time when Europe is seeking to provide more sustainable and healthier diets for its population. Driven in part by changes in consumer behaviour, Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) are going […]
14 May 2023