Articles
Soil fertility declining on Irish dairy farms
Soil fertility declining on Irish dairy farms In 2021 Teagasc analysed 30,082 grassland soil samples, of which 21,049 were taken on dairy farms. We see that soil fertility declined on dairy farms for the second consecutive year. Here is a summary of the main changes for soil pH, phosphorus (P) and potassium […]
25 August 2022
Tillage Update – Cultivation systems and Stubble cultivations
Tillage Update – Cultivation systems and Stubble cultivations Drilling for harvest 2023 is already underway with winter oilseed rape being drilled this week and many will have a pre-emergence herbicide applied to control weeds. Many of the crops are being sown with reduced cultivation systems. Shay Phelan Tillage Specialist discusses these systems […]
25 August 2022
The honeybee is doing grand, but what about the other bees?
The honeybee is doing grand, but what about the other bees? When people talk about bees, they are usually referring to honeybees and not the 20,000 other bee species in need of some love. Stephanie Maher, Teagasc biodiversity researcher, Johnstown Castle, educates us on the world of bees in this fascinating article, […]
25 August 2022
Enter the 2022 Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition!
Enter the 2022 Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition! There is still time to enter this year’s Grassland Farmer of the Year competition, which recognises and acknowledges those dairy, beef and sheep farmers who are achieving high levels of grass utilisation in a sustainable manner. There is a new organic category in […]
24 August 2022
DairyBeef500 walks commence this autumn
DairyBeef500 walks commence this autumn Following on the highly successful Green Acres, the recently launched DairyBeef500 Campaign which aims to promote and demonstrate socially, environmentally and financially sustainable dairy-beef systems, sees the first of its on farm walks begin this autumn. Tommy Cox, DairyBeef500 advisor reports Joint Grass10 – DairyBeef500 event with […]
24 August 2022
Growing need for oilseeds
Growing need for oilseeds Supply is down and demand is growing, so there are lots of opportunity with this proven crop. Ciarán Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist and John Pettit, Teagasc tillage advisor, Wexford discuss the Growing need for oilseeds. Pictured above: Don Somers The area of winter oilseed rape is expected to […]
24 August 2022
Get lime out now to reduce expensive fertiliser demands in 2023
Get lime out now to reduce expensive fertiliser demands in 2023 Liming of our soils continues to be a challenge with a 10 to 13% decline in samples with optimal soil pH on dairy, tillage and drystock farms sampled in 2021. Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist emphasises the benefits […]
23 August 2022
Prioritising quality grass for lambs on Malin Head
Prioritising quality grass for lambs on Malin Head Tommy Mullin is a sheep farmer, farming close to the most Northerly point in Ireland at Bree, Malin Head, Co. Donegal. With a sheep flock of 400 lowland ewes, 180 horned ewes and more, we find out from Tommy Doherty, Drystock adviser, Teagasc Letterkenny […]
23 August 2022
Planning for upcoming winter
Planning for upcoming winter After the recent August heatwave winter may seem a long way off but it is important to plan for it in good time. Sheep Specialist Damian Costello advises on having adequate fodder, checking silage quality and preparing for winter housing of ewes. In most cases sheep will be […]
23 August 2022
Understanding the genetic blueprint of the grain aphid
Understanding the genetic blueprint of the grain aphid By unravelling the DNA sequence of the English grain aphid, Teagasc is providing novel insights that support research into insecticide resistance and mechanisms of viral transmission. Teagasc researchers Stephen Byrne, Maximilian Schughart and Louise McNamara explain English grain aphids are the ultimate crop pest, […]
23 August 2022