Articles
What do I need to feed from now until turnout?
What do I need to feed from now until turnout? With current weather conditions getting out to grass is challenging on most farms at the moment. However, where land is dry and free draining there is a great opportunity to start grazing to take advantage of spring grass early. Catherine Egan, Beef […]
24 February 2021
Brexit Trade Deal prevents Predicted Drop in Farm Income
Brexit Trade Deal prevents Predicted Drop in Farm Income A new report by economists at Teagasc published today, 23 February estimates that the average family farm income (FFI) in Ireland may increase by 3 per cent in 2021. Overall, some price inflation for farm inputs will be more than offset by higher […]
23 February 2021
Pregnancy scanning a key management tool for hill farmers at this time of year
Pregnancy scanning a key management tool for hill farmers at this time of year Nearly all of the Teagasc BETTER Farm hill sheep flocks have finished pregnancy scanning in the past couple of weeks. Overall the scanning rates and litter sizes are quite good. Pregnancy scanning is a very important management tool […]
23 February 2021
Could you grow 14Ton of grass with 200 units of Nitrogen?
Could you grow 14Ton of grass with 200 units of Nitrogen? The European Green Deal calls for EU farmers to reduce their chemical Nitrogen inputs by 20% by 2030. Nationally the Ag Climatise document re-iterates this target but also sets an interim target of a 15% reduction by 2025. Joe Kelleher, Dairy […]
21 February 2021
Safety at calving time
Safety at calving time As we enter a busy period on many farms with calving occurring we should always take account of safety. A quarter of Irish farm accidents and one fifth of farm deaths are livestock related. Attacks by recently calved cows are a common cause of such accidents. Enda Geoghegan, […]
20 February 2021
Let it Bee Project- A community approach to tackling pesticide issues in Newport
Let it Bee Project- A community approach to tackling pesticide issues in Newport In order to pollinate crops and wild plants we need an abundance and diversity of wild pollinators and honeybees. Looking for a solution to the many pesticide exceedances in the Newport river catchment, the “Let It Bee” project begins. […]
20 February 2021
Weather and Soil crucial to making great Whisky
Weather and Soil crucial to making great Whisky A new academic study has provided conclusive proof of terroir’s influence on whisky, settling decades of an industry-dividing debate for both whisky drinkers and producers alike. Terroir is the French principle that factors like soil, microclimate, and topography together can influence flavour ‘Terroir’ The […]
19 February 2021
Ten Points on Good Farm Soil Practice – ‘LESS’ IS MORE VALUE
Ten Points on Good Farm Soil Practice – ‘LESS’ IS MORE VALUE Soil sampling is the starting point of good farm soil practice. It leads on to correct N,P,K and lime applications, slurry efficiency and managing peat soils and GHGs. Anne O’Malley, Teagasc Advisor, Mayo outlines Ten Points on Good Farm Soil […]
18 February 2021
Two important Breeding Key Performance Indicators
Two important Breeding Key Performance Indicators In recent weeks herds participating in BDGP and in ICBF’s Herdplus have been issued with a 5 Year Trend Report. The report tracks the performance of an individual’s herd on 6 Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) over the last five years. Aidan Murray Teagasc Beef Specialist, examines […]
17 February 2021
Spring Fertiliser on sheep farms
Spring Fertiliser on sheep farms All going to plan ewes can be turned out to grass as they lamb with minimal supplementary feeding, if any, required post turn-out. From a management, cost and labour point of view, this must be the aim. An early application of Nitrogen is important, as Philip Creighton […]
16 February 2021