Articles
Autumn grassland management guidelines on sheep farms
Autumn grassland management guidelines on sheep farms Autumn is the starting point of the grassland year, writes Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, who explains why the management and decisions made in this period have a direct effect on the quality and availability of grass the following spring. To ensure adequate grass availability […]
15 October 2024
National Liming Programme: Farmers reminded of spreading deadline
National Liming Programme: Farmers reminded of spreading deadline Farmers are reminded that the latest date for spreading lime in the 2023 National Liming Programme is Thursday, October 31 2024. Introduced by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue in spring 2023, the National Liming Programme incentivises the use of […]
15 October 2024
Testing for antibiotic identification
Testing for antibiotic identification With a 12-week dry period recommended for first lactation cows, early-calved first calvers that are due around February 1 again in 2025 need to finish their 2024 lactation in late October/early November. Consequently, teat sealers and the right dry cow antibiotic (where required) will need to be prescribed […]
14 October 2024
Deadline to enter fertiliser closing stocks fast approaching
Deadline to enter fertiliser closing stocks fast approaching The final date for recording closing fertiliser stocks through the National Fertiliser Database is October 15, 2024. As the prohibited period for spreading chemical fertilisers containing nitrogen and phosphorus came into effect on September 15, farmers are being reminded to record any closing stocks […]
14 October 2024
Making CBV data more accessible
Making CBV data more accessible Since its launch, the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) has grown in importance as a tool to allow the purchasers of beef animals – whether they are calves destined for a dairy-beef system or continental weanlings or stores destined entering a finishing system – to make more informed […]
14 October 2024
Making an ACRES NPI application
Making an ACRES NPI application John Enda Flannelly, ACRES Advisor, Teagasc Claremorris, provides a guide for farmers on how to apply for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) under the Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme (ACRES) to enhance environmental sustainability and increase their payment potential. Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) are actions that can be applied for in […]
14 October 2024
Teagasc National Farm Survey 2023 – Cattle Finishing Enterprise Factsheet
Teagasc National Farm Survey 2023 – Cattle Finishing Enterprise Factsheet The Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department at Teagasc has recently released a Cattle Finishing Enterprise Factsheet for 2023, which analysed farm financial data, and variability in farm financial and technical performance as witnessed in the 2023 National Farm Survey. Background The […]
13 October 2024
Adding clovers or herbs to sheep grazed swards
Adding clovers or herbs to sheep grazed swards Philip Creighton and Lisa McGrane share details of research work undertaken at Teagasc Athenry, which examined how the addition of clovers or herbs to a sheep grazed sward impact upon animal and sward performance. In recent years there has been growing interest in the […]
13 October 2024
Diary dates: Key scheme deadlines
Diary dates: Key scheme deadlines With some farmers participating in numerous schemes across different enterprises, along with ACRES, it can be difficult to keep up with deadlines. In this article, Nollaig O’Dowd, B&T Drystock Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, provides a timely reminder of some critical deadlines farmers must meet. SCEP (Suckler Carbon […]
13 October 2024
National Farm Survey 2023 – Sheep Enterprise Factsheet
National Farm Survey 2023 – Sheep Enterprise Factsheet The National Farm Survey 2023 Sheep Enterprise Factsheet provides an analysis of sheep enterprises across Ireland, focusing on financial performance, technical variations, and key trends affecting sheep farming. Analysis of Financial Performance Following a decline in sheep margins in 2022, a further decline occurred […]
12 October 2024