Articles

Feeding for fertility this breeding season

Feeding for fertility this breeding season This spring was a game of two halves, in terms of herd feeding management. The good weather in February saw cows out to grass and intakes were good overall. Things were a bit more challenging in March due to bad weather; however, the consensus among many […]
16 April 2023

Want to shave one-third off your nitrogen costs?

Want to shave one-third off your nitrogen costs? Urea will cost you 33% less than CAN with no reduction in grain yield. Ciaran Collins, Tillage specialist, Teagasc Crops Environment and Land Use Programme tells us more. CAN has always been somewhat more expensive than urea. The differential has grown over the last […]
16 April 2023

Tips on establishing white clover in grassland swards

Tips on establishing white clover in grassland swards The benefit of clover in grassland has previously been reported through increased animal performance, increased herbage production and potential saving in chemical nitrogen (N) fertiliser, as well improved N use efficiency and N farm gate surplus. If Irish farms are to successfully establish clover […]
15 April 2023

Installing barn owl nest boxes

Installing barn owl nest boxes In the latest Teagasc Environment Newsletter we find out what to look out for when installing owl nest boxes When installing a barn owl nest box, you must adhere to the following: nest boxes must be located as on the ACRES application; maintain in the same position […]
15 April 2023

Rebuilding of fodder stocks a priority

Rebuilding of fodder stocks a priority A challenging March has caused issues for dairy, drystock and tillage farmers, attendees heard at yesterday’s meeting of the Fertiliser Sub-group of the National Food and Fodder Security Committee in Teagasc Oak Park, Co. Carlow. A Teagasc delegation of Mark Plunkett, Michael O’Donovan, Shay Phelan and […]
14 April 2023

Playing a crucial role in the environmental and economic success of dairy, beef and sheep

Playing a crucial role in the environmental and economic success of dairy, beef and sheep Genetics is an essential field to the future of the farming industry in Ireland. With new environmental targets being set nationwide, predicting animal characteristics may prove instrumental. All our research covers different areas of genetics and breeding, […]
14 April 2023

Decreasing age at slaughter

Decreasing age at slaughter Aidan Moloney, Edward O’Riordan, Mark McGee and Paul Crosson of the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, report on decreasing the age at slaughter of early maturing suckler heifers in the recent Teagasc Beef Advisory newsletter. Slaughtering animals at a younger age is one strategy […]
14 April 2023

Don’t delay! Fertilise silage swards today

Don’t delay! Fertilise silage swards today Weather conditions over the last number of weeks have resulted in delayed applications of fertiliser to silage fields. In addition, livestock have been housed for longer than normal, eating into farm silage stocks. Fertilising silage fields, once field conditions allow, will be critical in order to […]
14 April 2023

Using slurry to reduce the cost of growing cereal crops

Using slurry to reduce the cost of growing cereal crops Shay Phelan, Mark Plunkett, John Mahon and Gerard McCutcheon tell us that slurry is a valuable nutrient source and its efficient use can help off-set rising fertiliser costs. A major event to encourage farmers to make more efficient use of slurry and […]
14 April 2023

Research update: Fighting a threat to alder

Research update: Fighting a threat to alder Emma Fuller and Dheeraj Rathore report on the Irish Research Council funded ExAl project. Common alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a native tree species with remarkable ecological importance, particularly within wetlands. Alder has the ability to promote diversity due to its soil nutrient enrichment qualities and […]
14 April 2023