Articles
Celebrating the Global Impact of the Potato
Celebrating the Global Impact of the Potato Today, Friday, 30 May is International Potato Day. In December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed May 30 as International Potato Day, recognising the crop’s critical role in global food security. The initial momentum for this declaration was sparked during the World Potato […]
30 May 2025
Key actions for tillage growers this week
Key actions for tillage growers this week As we reach the end of May, the recent spell of rainfall has been a welcome relief for crops struggling through a dry start to the season. Michael Hennessy shares three key priorities tillage farmers should target in the coming week. Apply final fungicides to […]
30 May 2025
Focus on sow replacement rate
Focus on sow replacement rate Managing sow replacement is key to farm success. Aiming for 5 to 6 litters per sow can cut costs and improve piglet health. Gerard McCutcheon tells us more. The average annual sow culling rate in 2023 was 52% on recorded herds (Teagasc Profit Monitor). The average sow […]
30 May 2025
Leading Rural Sociologist Outlines Blueprint for Making EU Agriculture More Attractive
Leading Rural Sociologist Outlines Blueprint for Making EU Agriculture More Attractive Professor Frank Vanclay of the University of Groningen presented principles relevant to implementing the European Commission’s ambitious Vision for EU Agriculture at Teagasc’s Mellows Campus on Thursday, 29 May, offering practical guidance on making farming more attractive. Speaking just three weeks […]
30 May 2025
Exploring Farm Diversification: Foraging
Exploring Farm Diversification: Foraging Barry Caslin, Energy & Rural Development Specialist, discusses how farmers can diversify by providing their lands for foraging activities. Foraging involves the gathering of wild edible plants, herbs, mushrooms, or other natural resources from the land. Why foraging can be a diversification option Allowing individuals or groups to forage […]
30 May 2025
Teagasc at Bloom 2025
Teagasc at Bloom 2025 ‘Horticulture is Life’ is the theme of the joint Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine stand at Bloom in the Food Village. The interactive feature shows how the organisations work together to support the Irish Horticulture Industry and growers, to deliver top quality […]
29 May 2025
Listen: The Evolution of Sprayer Technology – Part 1
Listen: The Evolution of Sprayer Technology – Part 1 On this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, the first of a two-part series, Dermot Forristal, researcher with Teagasc, discusses the latest developments in sprayer technology and how these innovations can support farmers in the day-to-day management of their crops. Sprayer technology has advanced […]
29 May 2025
Organic mixed farming with John Hamilton
Organic mixed farming with John Hamilton Donegal farmer, John Hamilton combines sucklers, sheep and tillage in a fully organic system. John Hamilton is a mixed enterprise organic farmer based in St Johnston, Co. Donegal, with an additional out-farm in Newtowncunningham. His journey into organic farming began in 2009, and by 2011, the […]
29 May 2025
Benefiting from the Farming for Water EIP on tillage farms
Benefiting from the Farming for Water EIP on tillage farms Funding of up to €9,160 per farm is available to plant catch crops in Priority Areas for Action under the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP). The key environmental benefits of catch crops are reducing nitrate leaching, soil erosion and phosphorus […]
29 May 2025
A breeding season update from Future Beef farmer, Michael McGuigan
A breeding season update from Future Beef farmer, Michael McGuigan Still transitioning from an autumn-calving system and after a successful calving season, Future Beef Programme Advisor, Aisling Molloy recently visited Michael McGuigan’s farm in Co. Meath to hear how the breeding season is progressing. Calving performance Lasting 13 weeks in total, calving […]
29 May 2025