Articles

Is Organics for you?

Is Organics for you? The targets set out in the Programme for Government is for farming 330,000 ha organically. With the next tranche of the organic scheme expected to open in early October many farmers are questioning if an organics system is for them? At the ploughing this week the Minister of […]
24 September 2022

Do You Follow the Stars?

Do You Follow the Stars? Austin Callaghan, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris, writes about the Beef Data & Genomics Programme and production index ratings of cattle for breeding and beef. The Beef Data & Genomics Programme was launched in 2015 and suckler farmers have participated in that programme since then. It brought production […]
24 September 2022

Organic Beef Open Day on John Purcell’s Farm

Organic Beef Open Day on John Purcell’s Farm Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – DAFM are jointly organising a National Organic Beef Open Day on the farm of John Purcell, Cashel, Co Tipperary on Wednesday next, 28th September 2022. The open day aims to provide: […]
24 September 2022

Understanding pasture contamination and its implications for management

Understanding pasture contamination and its implications for management Michael Gottstein, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, explains the importance of management in dealing with pasture contamination. On sheep farms the parasite challenge on pasture is made up from a population of Nematodirus and other Strongyles larvae. In general Nematodirus only poses a risk to young […]
23 September 2022

Tillage Farmers in a unique position

Tillage Farmers in a unique position Michael Hennessy, Head of Teagasc Crops Knowledge Transfer Department, tells us how tillage farmers are in a unique position with the lowest greenhouse gas output per hectare. The tillage farmers of Ireland are in a unique position compared to other enterprises. The sector has the lowest […]
23 September 2022

Novel forest tree breeding for tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress

Novel forest tree breeding for tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress Tree breeding is important to develop genetically improved genotypes for forestation through repeated cycles of selection, breeding and genetic testing. Dheeraj Rathore, Teagasc Research Officer, tells us about novel forest tree breeding for tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. Teagasc has […]
23 September 2022

Research Update – SowWeanWel

Research Update – SowWeanWel Martyna Lagoda, PhD student working on the SOWWEANWEL project, gives us an update on her research looking at the effects of chronic stress during pregnancy on sow welfare, reproductive performance, & on the resilience of offspring to stress. SowWeanWel Research Update (PDF) Background Suboptimal housing and management pose many […]
23 September 2022

Soil Carbon sequestration

Soil Carbon sequestration Soil carbon sequestration is an important mechanism that removes carbon dioxide from the air and stores it in the soil. This improves a number of aspects of soil health. Researcher Karl Richards outlines why soil carbon sequestration is important. Carbon stored in soils is often called soil organic carbon […]
22 September 2022

Using genetics to reduce methane output from cattle systems

Using genetics to reduce methane output from cattle systems Stuart Kirwan, David Kenny and Sinead Waters, Teagasc Grange, take us through the genetic selection of low methane emitting animals which has long been advocated as mitigation strategy for the ruminant livestock industry. Recent data from Teagasc Grange and ICBF has highlighted a […]
22 September 2022

Multiple Benefits of Trees on the Farm

Multiple Benefits of Trees on the Farm Tom Houlihan, Teagasc Forestry Specialist, tells us how farm forests can provide many benefits New forest creation is an excellent pathway to develop an attractive and valuable resource on the farm. However, farm forests also provide the pathway for many other farm benefits. These are […]
22 September 2022