2025
Hide and seek
Hide and seek As fresh produce consumption rises, so too do potential risks. New research in Irish horticulture explores where hidden contamination can occur, and how to stop it before it reaches your plate. While fresh produce is increasingly a part of healthier diets, it’s important to understand potential sources of contamination […]
12 June 2025
Securing farm futures
Securing farm futures Low pension coverage and late retirement are stalling generational renewal. New research compares EU systems to explore solutions for supporting Irish farmers through the retirement transition. The sustainability of agriculture in Europe is deeply intertwined with the financial wellbeing of its farmers, particularly concerning retirement provisions. As the farming […]
12 June 2025
Leaf it to science
Leaf it to science As climate change reshapes growing conditions, Irish forests must adapt. New research explores how species choice, genetic diversity, and forest management can help build resilience from the roots up. Continuous cover forestry systems are close to nature forests and allow newly regenerated seedlings to prosper under the cover […]
12 June 2025
Milking the data
Milking the data Leveraging data from technologies offers farmers a unique opportunity to enhance the productivity, sustainability and welfare of Irish pasture-based systems. Credit: MSD Animal Health Cows that show signs of heat before the breeding season are significantly more likely to become pregnant, a finding that’s helping farmers in seasonal-calving systems […]
12 June 2025
Put your best root forward
Put your best root forward Research at Johnstown Castle is examining how forestry management can play a crucial role in nature-based strategies for land-use and climate mitigation. Appropriate afforestation and sustainable forest management can have positive effects on carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and broader environmental topics such as water quality […]
12 June 2025
Getting into the rhythm of milk fat
Getting into the rhythm of milk fat The factors contributing to the annual reduction in milk fat percentage are likely to have consistent annual patterns, rather than variable patterns such as pasture nutritive value or weather conditions. Credit: Teagasc Valuable for butter, cheese and cream, the fat content of milk is also key […]
12 June 2025
Branching out for ash
Branching out for ash Ash dieback is one of the most serious threats to Irish native trees. As over 90% of ash trees are expected to be lost, urgent action is needed to identify and protect the small number of trees showing natural tolerance. AshforFuture is a four-year, all-island research project that […]
12 June 2025
Hide and seek
Hide and seek As fresh produce consumption rises, so too do potential risks. New research in Irish horticulture explores where hidden contamination can occur, and how to stop it before it reaches your plate. While fresh produce is increasingly a part of healthier diets, it’s important to understand potential sources of contamination […]
12 June 2025
Chipping away at food waste
Chipping away at food waste Potato processing side streams contain valuable nutrients like proteins and starch, which can be efficiently extracted using green technologies. Scaling up these processes enables a zero-waste biorefinery model, turning waste into economic and environmental benefits. Both discarded whole potatoes and leftover scraps can be valuable sources of […]
12 June 2025
Rooting innovation: shaping Ireland’s apple future
Rooting innovation: shaping Ireland’s apple future A research initiative at Teagasc Oak Park aims to boost apple production in Ireland by exploring innovative training systems and rootstocks. The project focuses on improving yield efficiency, enhancing fruit quality, and cutting labour costs, offering Irish growers strategies tailored to the local climate. Credit: Teagasc […]
24 February 2025