Articles
Doing less boosts biodiversity
Doing less boosts biodiversity Paul Fitters, Lecturer in the Teagasc College at the National Botanic Gardens discusses “Rewilding” at the Knepp Estate in the UK. Improving biodiversity opened up new diversification opportunities. He has suggestions for how we can all do our bit for biodiversity and rewild a little in our gardens […]
29 May 2021
Production of Farmhouse Cheese
Production of Farmhouse Cheese Farmhouse cheese making was a Gaelic tradition that disappeared from Ireland over the years. It was revived in the 1900s, and more specifically during the late 1970s, when a few enterprising dairy farmers commenced making farmhouse cheese. Is farmhouse cheese production an option for you? For at least […]
29 May 2021
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