Articles
How can we enjoy a tasty, fatty meal without weight gain?
How can we enjoy a tasty, fatty meal without weight gain? Foods rich in dietary fat are known to cause weight gain if consumed excessively, and yet we still eat them because they are tasty and are in abundant supply. This article by Oleksandr Nychyk, Wiley Barton, Paul D. Cotter and Kanishka […]
23 August 2021
Endangered Corncrake making a welcome return
Endangered Corncrake making a welcome return Corncrake numbers have declined in recent times, however they have increased again in 2021. Joanne Masterson, B&T Drystock Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, discusses corncrake friendly mowing and the Corncrake LIFE Project Scheme. She also sheds light on the future of this bird species. I recently visited […]
22 August 2021
Ram Factors for the Breeding Season
Ram Factors for the Breeding Season When sourcing the ram it will pay to know as much as possible of the previous flock history. It only takes one animal to import numerous disease issues. Eamon Patten, Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Ballinrobe has a wealth of advice here on having a good ram for […]
21 August 2021
Outdoor Cut Foliage
Outdoor Cut Foliage The European flower industry is worth €2.5bn, with foliage estimated at 10% of this, or €250m. The south of Ireland has long been recognised as an ideal location for the production of foliage because of its mild moist climate. Andy Whelton, Vegetable and Cut Foliage Specialist Advisor tells us […]
21 August 2021
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