Articles
What will the National Fertiliser Database mean for farmers?
What will the National Fertiliser Database mean for farmers? A National Fertiliser Database is in the process of being established by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), with legislation for its creation currently going through the Oireachtas. Dr. Finbarr O’Regan, DAFM inspector with responsibility for fertiliser, gave an overview […]
30 January 2023
Change brings reduction in herd health issues for dairy-beef farm
Change brings reduction in herd health issues for dairy-beef farm Peter O’Hanrahan – a participant in Teagasc’s DairyBeef 500 Campaign – farms in partnership with his father Thomas, operating a calf to beef system, where 200 calves are purchased and carried to beef annually. Giving a brief background to his farming journey […]
30 January 2023
The addition of clovers or herbs to a sheep grazed perennial ryegrass sward: effects on animal and sward performance
The addition of clovers or herbs to a sheep grazed perennial ryegrass sward: effects on animal and sward performance Lisa McGrane, Nóirín McHugh, Tommy M. Boland and Philip Creighton presented their research at the recent Teagasc National Sheep Conference. In recent years there has been growing interest in the use of diverse […]
30 January 2023
Grass weeds, herbicide resistance and control practices: current status and challenges ahead
Grass weeds, herbicide resistance and control practices: current status and challenges ahead Vijaya Bhaskar presented his work at the recent Teagasc National Tillage Conference. This research aimed too quantify the extent of grass-weed challenges on Irish tillage farms, a nationwide survey was conducted in 2020 to 2021. The survey included 62 growers […]
30 January 2023
Turnout to housing: Grange dairy-beef calves achieve 0.9kg ADG
Turnout to housing: Grange dairy-beef calves achieve 0.9kg ADG The ‘Dairy Calf to Beef’ research farm system in Teagasc Grange has a land area of 93ac (37.6 ha). Each year, 120 dairy-beef male calves are purchased from dairy farms and are managed under an intensive grass-based system, slaughtering cattle from 19-24 months […]
29 January 2023
Greenhouse gas intensity of average sheep systems in Ireland
Greenhouse gas intensity of average sheep systems in Ireland Jonathan Herron, Teagasc, recently discussed greenhouse gas intensity of sheep systems in Ireland at the Teagasc National Sheep Conference. The Food and Agriculture Organisation has projected that the global demand for agricultural products will increase by 12% over the next decade (2021-2030) as […]
29 January 2023
Protecting our water habitats for future generations
Protecting our water habitats for future generations The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report recently on water quality in Ireland, which focused on years 2016-2021. The report looked at the ecological and chemical status of Ireland’s surface waters (rivers, lakes, canals and transitional and coastal waters) and ground waters. The report […]
29 January 2023
Opportunity to ‘flick a switch’ and create new approach to dairy beef breeding
Opportunity to ‘flick a switch’ and create new approach to dairy beef breeding An opportunity exists to improve the quality of beef being produced from the dairy herd, but it’s going to take buy in from dairy farmers nationally. That was one of the many key messages delivered by Dr. Nicky Byrne, […]
28 January 2023
Producing lamb on an organic farm in Co. Tipperary
Producing lamb on an organic farm in Co. Tipperary Amy Jackson, in partnership with her husband Ross, are farming organically in Lacka, north Tipperary. The farm comprises both an organic cereal and sheep enterprise. Prior to conversion to an organic system, it was a tillage farm with a number of crops being […]
28 January 2023
Factors to consider with organic sheep farming
Factors to consider with organic sheep farming The Irish organic sector has experienced a large influx of new farmers in recent years, with over 4,000 farmers now farming organically – including just over 2,000 who entered conversion in January 2023. The number of organic sheep flocks in 2021 was approaching 700, with […]
28 January 2023