Articles
Goats don’t like the rain!
Goats don’t like the rain! Goats don’t like the rain. Marion Roeleveld, Killeen Farmhouse Cheese had goats out grazing, but when it rained they would run back into the shed. They were very bad grazers and very susceptible to parasites. Anne Kinsella, Teagasc Rural Economy, brings us this insight into making goat’s […]
20 August 2021
Appreciating The Heritage of Hedges
Appreciating The Heritage of Hedges Hedges give character to farms, townlands, parishes and counties, making them distinct from other areas. Hedges evoke history and folklore. On National Heritage Week, Catherine Keena & Michael Somers remind us of the Kickham Tree Project in Tipperary, which preserves the legacy of Charles Kickham (Photo above […]
20 August 2021
Forest fungi
Forest fungi Exotic mushrooms produced from hardwood logs can be an extra income earner on many broadleaf forests. The demand for edible wild mushrooms is rapidly increasing. Most of the exotic mushrooms on sale in restaurants and supermarkets in Ireland are imported. Michael Somers, Forestry Advisor has details Forest fungi (PDF) Introduction Exotic […]
20 August 2021
Cleaning on pig farms
Cleaning on pig farms Teagasc researchers Shilpi Misra, Corina E. van Middelaar, John Upton and Keelin O’Driscoll evaluated different washing and disinfection methods on pig farms. No difference in both water use and bacterial load was found; power washing without pre-soaking or detergent was the simplest method. Background Water use by livestock […]
20 August 2021
Multi-species swards grow more forage with less fertiliser, even under drought conditions
Multi-species swards grow more forage with less fertiliser, even under drought conditions Six-species swards outperformed perennial ryegrass monocultures and were considerably more resistant to drought. New research from Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and Trinity College Dublin shows that multi-species mixtures out-yielded perennial ryegrass which received double the amount of fertiliser Multi-species mixtures receiving […]
18 August 2021
Weaning management for optimum health of suckler beef calves
Weaning management for optimum health of suckler beef calves Dr. Bernie Earley & Dr. Mark McGee from the Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre discuss weaning management for optimum health of suckler beef calves. They cover weanling management and health; control of stomach worms, lungworm & fluke; prevention of pneumonia […]
18 August 2021
Assessing supply and demand for the autumn rotation
Assessing supply and demand for the autumn rotation As we move into the latter part of August it’s important we start to plan and implement an autumn grazing plan on farms. Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, discusses grassland management, assessing the flock’s grass demand, and building grass supply. As some of the […]
17 August 2021
Keep your dairy calves thriving this Summer
Keep your dairy calves thriving this Summer At this stage of the year it is time to review the progress of our replacement heifers (or all dairy bred calves) as they are the future of our milking herd. Here Martin Doyle, Teagasc Advisor, Enniscorthy has advice for management at grass, to ensure […]
16 August 2021
Culling and Body Condition Scoring your Flock
Culling and Body Condition Scoring your Flock Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor in Tralee, Co. Kerry, discusses culling and body condition scoring your flock. Culling is one of the most important jobs on a sheep farm & should take place once ewes have dried off after weaning. Culling Experience in culling is vital […]
15 August 2021
Increasing soil pH reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions
Increasing soil pH reduces fertiliser derived N2O emissions A new scientific paper from Teagasc has shown that getting soil pH right through a liming programme can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The Teagasc Signpost Programme brings this important fact to our attention here Lime drives down […]
15 August 2021