Articles
Good work organisation can reduce farm work hours
0 Good work organisation can reduce farm work hours Bernadette O’Brien, Conor Hogan and Marion Beecher discuss how good work organisation can reduce farm work hours A declining workforce combined with recent expansion has exasperated work demands on pasture-based dairy farms, and this is compounded by the intense spring/ summer workload coinciding with […]
4 February 2023
Caution advised as soil fertility levels remain stable in 2022
0 Caution advised as soil fertility levels remain stable in 2022 A recent review of the 2022 soil test results show that for the second year running the number of soil samples taken across Ireland has increased. The largest increase in soil sample numbers was on drystock farms, which increased by 19% in […]
3 February 2023
Age at slaughter and in spec traits added to DBI
0 Age at slaughter and in spec traits added to DBI Additional measures – including a carbon sub-index, age of slaughter and an in spec composite trait – have been added to the DairyBeef Index (DBI) as part of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s latest evaluation of the beef breeding tool for dairy […]
3 February 2023
‘Our ultimate aim is to try and breed the best beef animals that we can’
0 ‘Our ultimate aim is to try and breed the best beef animals that we can’ Calf quality is often mooted as a reason for the high attrition rates of dairy-beef producers nationally, with just 39% of those engaged in this system in year one doing so at the end of year five. […]
3 February 2023
Eamon and Donnchadh McCarthy Soil Fertility Update
0 Eamon and Donnchadh McCarthy Soil Fertility Update Eamon and his son Donnchadh are farming in Carrigeen, Glendine, Youghal, Co. Waterford. Both work part-time on the farm. In addition, Eamonn works as a relief milker and Donnchadh has a full-time off farm job. Eamon & Donnchadh took 22 soil samples on their farm […]
3 February 2023
The many options for planting trees – from gardens to fields and forests
0 The many options for planting trees – from gardens to fields and forests From producing timber, capturing carbon, providing shelter, improving water quality to providing habitats etc; we can all list the many benefits of trees and forests. We know we need more trees but where can they be planted? Landowners; big […]
3 February 2023
Challenges and solutions to female entrepreneurship
0 Challenges and solutions to female entrepreneurship Entrepreneurs and academics from Ireland, Turkey and Greece met to empower females to enhance the sustainability of European food systems. The focus of the online event, held on February 1st, was on female participation in short food supply chains (SFSC). Such chains are seen as having […]
3 February 2023
Export Performance and Prospects report 2022/23
0 Export Performance and Prospects report 2022/23 The publication of Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2022/23 revealed the value of Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture exports increased by 22% last year to reach a new record high of €16.7 billion The significant increase of €3 billion on last year can be […]
3 February 2023
Part two: Making the most of your Sheep Improvement Scheme tasks
0 Part two: Making the most of your Sheep Improvement Scheme tasks In last week’s article on the Sheep Improvement Scheme, Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep KT, Teagasc Macroom, covered the Category A tasks. In this article, he covers what is required of farmers in terms of complying with the Category B tasks […]
2 February 2023
Taking stock in tillage fields
0 Taking stock in tillage fields The Teagasc Harvest Report 2022 estimates that winter cereal plantings for harvest 2023 are down 34000-35,000ha compared to last year. Winter oilseed rape area, by contrast, continues to increase on the back of a very good performance in 2022 and favourable drilling conditions in August and September. […]
2 February 2023