Articles
How Teagasc are Supporting Farmers to Improve Sustainability
How Teagasc are Supporting Farmers to Improve Sustainability Teagasc are supporting farmers to improve sustainability in a number of ways. Tom O’Dwyer, Head of Signpost Programme, Teagasc, and Pat Murphy Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc, give details on some of the resources available. The Signpost Programme The Signpost programme is a […]
21 October 2022
Addressing Volatility
Addressing Volatility The rapid spike in feed cost and lag in pig price movement has resulted in Irish pig producers suffering unprecedented losses, writes Michael Mc Keon, however there are tools that can be used to reduce this volatility and maintain a more determinable income. Irish pig producers are currently (October 2022) […]
21 October 2022
Improving Water Quality in Ireland
Improving Water Quality in Ireland The challenges of Water Quality, Biodiversity and Climate Change will influence farming practices and profitability into the foreseeable future. The agriculture industry is working hard to meet these challenges head on. A team of 36 advisors (20 Teagasc and 16 Co-op) are working on the ground to […]
20 October 2022
Steps to improving the sustainability of Irish tillage farms
Steps to improving the sustainability of Irish tillage farms The recently published Teagasc Farm Sustainability Report shows that tillage farms have the lowest carbon footprint at 2.5 t/ha, compared to other farming enterprises. Under the tillage Signpost programme a number of farm practices are been implemented to further improve the sustainability of […]
20 October 2022
Bees and food production: chaos, corruption and dodgy honey
Bees and food production: chaos, corruption and dodgy honey Laura Healy is a Teagasc PhD student and Walsh Scholar in Food Chemistry and Technology at TU Dublin, she writes about the ‘Rotten’ TV show’s portrayal of how some of the bee-keeping industry operates. The title of the first episode of Netflix’s Rotten sounds more […]
20 October 2022
Energy and Biosecurity Key Considerations for the Poultry Industry
Energy and Biosecurity Key Considerations for the Poultry Industry Teagasc organised an ‘Energy and Biosecurity – Considerations for the Poultry Industry’ event this week which took place in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan. This event was run in conjunction with IFA, Animal Health Ireland (AHI) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the […]
20 October 2022
Examining Weight for Age
Examining Weight for Age Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc, explains how weight for age is a very good indicator of the performance of a group of animals. Unfortunately most beef farmers do not get to see this until the day they sell an animal. If it is below target, […]
19 October 2022
The Soil is Alive & Willing to Help
The Soil is Alive & Willing to Help “To be a successful farmer one must first know the nature of the soil.” (Xenophon, 430 – 354 BC). Cathal Somers writes about the soil microbiome and how to safeguard it. Farming has come a long way in the last fifty years, with huge […]
19 October 2022
Launch of new Sustainable Fertiliser training course for agri-professionals
Launch of new Sustainable Fertiliser training course for agri-professionals Teagasc, in collaboration with the ICOS Skillnet and the fertiliser industry, has developed a 20 hour blended training course in Sustainable Fertiliser for professionals involved in the sale, purchasing and advice relating to fertilisers. The purpose of this course is to develop the […]
18 October 2022
Help nature thrive on your farm through ACRES
Help nature thrive on your farm through ACRES Help nature thrive on your farm alongside food production – with possible support from ACRES, says Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, during Sustainability Week. Three key messages are: Don’t top Escaped hedges and don’t let Topped hedges escape 3 Rs for upland grazing: […]
18 October 2022