Articles
Teagasc Environment Advisory Newsletter – May
Welcome to the Teagasc May Environment Advisory Newsletter. In this edition, Signpost Communications Specialist, Siobhán Kavanagh points out some of the familiar plants growing in our ditches to heighten our awareness of biodiversity on our farms. You can also sign up for the free Signpost Advisory Programme and AgNav today. We get tips on how to get the most from your nitrogen spend and reduce the risk to water quality.
5 May 2026
Managing red clover under an organic farming system
Kay O’Sullivan, organic farmer and participant in the Teagasc Future Beef and Signpost Programmes, has been managing red clover silage swards successfully for the past number of years. In this update, she shares some of the key management tasks involved.
30 April 2026
Practical advice: Making the best use of nutrients in 2026
Better nutrient management and planning, correcting soil fertility through liming, making full use of organic manures and incorporating clover into grazing swards are all strategies farmers can employ during a year of heightened fertiliser prices.
27 April 2026
Signpost update: Putting different establishment systems to the test
Using conventional, direct drill and min-til establishment systems, participant in the Signpost Programme, Darren Allen provides an update on his winter wheat on-farm establishment trial.
23 April 2026
Lots of rain and lambs in Galway
Participant in the Teagasc BETTER Sheep Farm and Signpost programmes, Michael Forde takes a look back at a challenging but successful lambing season, and outlines his plans for fertiliser, soil fertility improvements and silage for the year ahead.
21 April 2026
10 tips: Dealing with higher fertiliser prices on grassland farms
With the fertiliser market remaining volatile, Signpost Programme Training & Development Specialist, Mark Plunkett shares some essential reading for grassland farmers looking to manage through a year of high fertiliser prices.
20 April 2026
‘A no-brainer’: Brian Nicholson’s agroforestry journey
Brian Nicholson sees agroforestry as a positive addition to his farm. In this article, Siobhan Kavanagh, Signpost Programme Communications and Engagement Specialist, Terry Carroll, Teagasc Advisor, and John Casey, Teagasc Forestry Advisor, expand on some of the benefits.
10 April 2026
Signpost update: Focused on calf sourcing
Playing catch up after a difficult spring, DairyBeef 500 and Signpost Programme participant, Denis Hickey provides an update on calf sourcing, grassland management and fertiliser applications from his dairy-beef enterprise in Co. Cork.
2 April 2026
Signpost update: Monitoring animal performance and multi species benefits
Spring is always a very busy time on the farm for Kay O’Sullivan, organic farmer and participant in the Teagasc Future Beef and Signpost Programmes, who shares the latest happenings from her farm in Mourneabbey.
29 March 2026
Reducing emissions from nitrogen fertiliser
With fertiliser prices increasing again, what can you do on your farm to reduce your mineral fertiliser need, get the most out of the fertiliser you apply and reduce emissions from nitrogen fertiliser while sustaining or increasing yields on farm?
26 March 2026