Articles
How to deal with late calving cows?
How to deal with late calving cows? Are you worried about your Suckler cows calving too late in the Spring or even into early Summer? Achieving a 12 weeks calving season is a realistic target for most suckler farms, with 80% cows calved within 8 weeks. Niamh Lynch, Teagasc Advisor, Ballyhaise has […]
28 May 2021
Growing quality hardwood timber from our young broadleaf woodlands
Growing quality hardwood timber from our young broadleaf woodlands Growing quality hardwood timber from broadleaf woodlands requires a selective management approach and it is therefore important to identify early the quality trees within the woodland. These trees are known as Potential Crop trees (PCTs). Ian Short & Jonathan Spazzi, Teagasc Forestry, have […]
28 May 2021
Who wants an insect energy bar or bug burger for lunch?
Who wants an insect energy bar or bug burger for lunch? Just as no-one anticipated demand for soy-based sausages and seaweed burgers, there’s another future food revolution swarming to our shops. This article by Laura Healy, a PhD student at Teagasc first appeared on RTÉ Brainstorm. The world’s population currently stands at 7.9 […]
28 May 2021
Agriculture and Water
Agriculture and Water Paula Browne, ASSAP Adviser, Teagasc Clare looks at ways to minimise losses of nutrients, sediment and pesticides to water from farming. A number of key considerations should be central to minimising any pollution potential to our watercourses and these are outlined here. Paula focuses on three key areas. These are: […]
27 May 2021
Could your Farm benefit from Alternative Fodder Crops?
Could your Farm benefit from Alternative Fodder Crops? In the next few months we will see farmers saving their winter feed. Grass growth last week from Pasturebase Ireland was 57kgDM/ha similar to the same week last year at 60kg DM/ha. Improvement is expected, however Keith Fahy, Athenry Advisor, looks at alternatives for […]
27 May 2021
Monitor crops for any trace element deficiencies this season
Monitor crops for any trace element deficiencies this season While Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sulphur have been applied to spring cereals at this stage, John W Kelly Teagasc, Drystock/Tillage Advisor, Tullamore & Birr reminds us here that is also important to monitor crops for any trace element deficiencies during the rest of […]
27 May 2021
Reviewing slaughter performance in Co. Kilkenny
Reviewing slaughter performance in Co. Kilkenny Drafting cattle for slaughter when they are actually fit to kill is a key management component of successful calf-to-beef systems. At a fat score of 3+, the carcass weight potential of Holstein Friesian steers is maximised. Sean Cummins Teagasc Green Acres Advisor has detailed advice here […]
26 May 2021
Managing Margins with Nature in Mind
Managing Margins with Nature in Mind Thinking “outside the field” and managing the margins with nature in mind can contribute to the improvement of biodiversity on Irish farms. Aoife Leader, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, highlights some key actions that farmers can take to retain, maintain and enhance field margins for farmland biodiversity To […]
26 May 2021
Controlling lameness in sheep
Controlling lameness in sheep Lame sheep do not thrive to their full potential (lower growth rates, fertility and survival) and this loss in production combined with the cost of treating lame sheep represents a huge cost to sheep farmers. Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Head of Sheep KT, outlines the steps to reduce lameness […]
26 May 2021
Improving your Financial Fitness can help manage tight margins
Improving your Financial Fitness can help manage tight margins Having a good feel for the farm finances and what is happening on a farm or farm household is critical. This applies whether a farmer is expanding or just wants to ensure that they are in a good position to deal with whatever […]
25 May 2021