{"articles":[{"feature_image":"","release_date":"2026-02-04","description":"This is a crops Newsletter","main_body":"This is a crops Newsletter","id":"192509","title":"Crops Newsletter","category":"","release_date_time":"2026-02-04 00:00:00","last_modified":"2026-02-04 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":""},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/equine-tour-landing-box.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-16","description":"As we head into the second half of the year, DairyBeef 500 Advisor, Gordon Peppard reminds us of the importance of monitoring dairy beef heifer performance in order to optimise performance and achieve desired finishing weights.","main_body":"Setting appropriate mid-summer weight targets for dairy beef heifers helps farmers monitor progress, plan a feeding system to ensure heifers meet carcass specifications in terms of carcass weight, carcass fat and conformation at finish, and ultimately improve profitability on their farm.\r\n\r\nSo, what are the target weights for my dairy beef heifers?\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 1: Target weights for a March 1<sup>st<\/sup> born heifer calf<\/strong>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 30.8472%; height: 216px;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 35.3728%; height: 27px;\" colspan=\"3\"><strong>1<sup>st<\/sup> March born heifer calf - birth weight of 40kg<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.6924%; height: 27px;\">1<sup>st<\/sup> May<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 11.7499%; height: 27px;\">80kgs<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.9305%; height: 27px;\">8 weeks<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.6924%; height: 27px;\">1<sup>st<\/sup> June<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 11.7499%; height: 27px;\">100kgs<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.9305%; height: 27px;\">12 weeks<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.6924%; height: 27px;\">15<sup>th<\/sup> October<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 11.7499%; height: 27px;\">200kgs<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.9305%; height: 27px;\">Pre housing<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.6924%; height: 27px;\">1<sup>st<\/sup> March<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 11.7499%; height: 27px;\">300kgs<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.9305%; height: 27px;\">Turnout<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.6924%; height: 27px;\">1<sup>st<\/sup> July<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 11.7499%; height: 27px;\">400kgs<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.9305%; height: 27px;\">Mid summer<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.6924%; height: 27px;\">1<sup>st<\/sup> September<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 11.7499%; height: 27px;\">450kgs<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.9305%; height: 27px;\">Start of finishing<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 27px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.6924%; height: 27px;\">1<sup>st<\/sup> November<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 11.7499%; height: 27px;\">510kgs<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.9305%; height: 27px;\">Finish<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nAbove are the target guideline weights of where a 1<sup>st<\/sup> of March born dairy beef heifer (typically Angus and Hereford type stock) should be, at different stages during their lifetime.\r\n\r\nWhat then are the key requirements to ensure heifers are meeting their target weights at each stage?\r\n<h3>1). Importance of having weight targets<\/h3>\r\nWeight targets serve as a benchmark to assess whether animals are growing at the expected rate. This helps farmers identify any nutritional or health issues early, allowing for timely interventions. By tracking weights, farmers can adjust their grazing management, health plan or add supplementation if necessary to keep animals on track toward finishing goals.\r\n\r\nMaintaining good growth rates during mid-summer is particularly important. This period often represents the peak grazing season, when pasture quality and availability should support good weight gains. Failure to hit target weights by mid-summer can lead to longer finishing times and increased production costs.\r\n<h3>2). Expected growth rates<\/h3>\r\nDuring their second grazing season, dairy beef heifers should typically achieve a live weight gain of greater than 0.9kgs per day. By 1<sup>st<\/sup> July, these February \/ early March born animals should ideally have reached around 80% of their target finishing weight and should be around 400kgs. Supported by high-quality pasture and reflecting healthy growth, this target is critical for achieving finishing weights of &gt;500kgs at 20 months of age.\r\n<h3>3). Grass quality and management<\/h3>\r\nPasture quality and availability during mid-summer play a pivotal role in meeting these target weights. High-quality, leafy grass, high in energy is essential to sustain daily weight gains of over 1kg. Farmers should monitor pasture covers and maintain high quality grass ahead of animals at all times. Entering covers of 1400\/1500 kgs dry matter per hectare is ideal. Ensure heifers are not in the one grazing paddock for more than three days, so adjust stocking rate or paddock size to achieve this.\r\n<h3>4). Monitoring weights<\/h3>\r\nRegular weighing is crucial to accurately track growth and compare it against targets. Weighing animals every 4 to 6 weeks allows for early detection of underperformance. It also helps farmers make informed decisions regarding feeding strategies and animal management.\r\n\r\nWeight records are an excellent way to improve efficiencies on farm. Animals can be batched according to weight and fed accordingly. Groups can then be targeted for further time grazing grass without concentrate supplementation or targeted for intensive feeding for finishing.\r\n<h3>5). Animal Health<\/h3>\r\nGood animal health management directly influences growth rates. Parasite control, vaccination and disease prevention measures should be maintained throughout the grazing season to ensure animals convert grazed grass into weight efficiently. Sick animals or animals with parasite burdens can significantly reduce feed intake and growth.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, managing and minimizing stress on the heifers improves welfare and supports uniform growth. Providing clean water, shelter from extreme weather conditions and reducing competition at feeding troughs contribute to better overall performance.\r\n<h3>6). Planning for the finishing phase<\/h3>\r\nMid-summer weights provide a critical check for planning the finishing phase, informed decisions can be made as to whether animals will be finished at grass with\/without supplementation or finished on silage and concentrates indoors. If animals fall short of mid-summer targets, farmers may need to extend the finishing period or increase feeding inputs to reach target slaughter weight on time.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/dairy-calf-to-beef\/dairybeef-500\/\">For more tips and advice on dairy beef finishing systems, visit the DairyBeef 500 webpage here<\/a>.","id":"190459","title":"Mid-summer target weights for dairy beef heifers","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-16 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-12-12 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/app\/uploads\/2022\/10\/equine-tour-landing-box.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ewe-shorn-with-two-lambs-June-Feature.png","release_date":"2025-07-15","description":"Are you enrolled in the Sheep Improvement Scheme or National Sheep Welfare Scheme? Eamonn Dempsey, a B&T Drystock Advisor based in Tralee, provides a timely reminder of the key scheme actions and their completion dates.","main_body":"The Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) and the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) together provide a financial incentive of €25 per ewe for the promotion of animal health and welfare through selected scheme actions. It is timely at this stage of the year to review actions chosen and take note of deadlines to ensure scheme compliance.\r\n<h2>Sheep Improvement Scheme<\/h2>\r\nActions in the Sheep Improvement Scheme relevant to both lowland and hill sheep farmers have certain requirements and deadlines:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lameness control<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>For the lameness control action, a minimum of 5 lameness examinations are carried out to identify cause and offer suitable treatment. These assessments can be carried out at least once between mating and lambing, May\/June, July\/August, prior to mating and one other time in the calendar year.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Parasite control<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>For parasite control, lowland flocks must take a minimum of 2 faecal egg counts per annum from lambs and submit to an approved laboratory for testing between 1<sup>st<\/sup> June and 30<sup>th<\/sup> September. The second faecal egg count must be carried out at least 7 days after the first.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Hill flocks are required to carry out one faecal egg count within 4 weeks post weaning.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The faecal egg count identifies the worm burden in the flock, so an informed decision can be made regarding treatment.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Flystrike control<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>For the flystrike control action, sheep must be assembled at least once in the period 1<sup>st<\/sup> of June to 30<sup>th<\/sup> September to remove faecal material around the hind quarter from any affected sheep.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mineral supplementation and meal feeding of lambs<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The mineral supplementation of lambs pre-weaning action must be carried out at least once during the grazing season to address mineral deficiencies of lambs in hill flocks.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Meal feeding hill lambs post weaning involves supplementation of lambs with compound feed for 4 weeks post weaning.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mineral supplementation of ewes and scanning<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>For the mineral supplementation of ewes post mating action, ensure the duration of cover is at least the first 60 days from the date of ram turnout.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Scanning 70 to 100 days post ram turnout and recording of results allows ewes to be grouped and managed in accordance with litter size.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Genotyped ram action<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Farmers are also required to carry out the genotyped ram action. Farmers with less than 150 breeding ewes must purchase a genotype ram once in the first 3 years of the scheme; farmers with greater than 150 breeding ewes must purchase a genotyped ram in two different years over the lifetime of the scheme.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The genotyped ram must be purchased within the year selected and be SIS eligible on the day of purchase – use the <a href=\"https:\/\/appsh.sheep.ie\/ram-search-by-id\">Sheep Ireland Ram Search facility<\/a> to verify ram eligibility. If the ram is a hill flock breed, e.g. Scottish Blackface, the ram only needs to be DNA sire verified by Sheep Ireland and be type one, two or three for scrapie at the time of purchase.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>National Sheep Welfare Scheme<\/h2>\r\nFarmers in the National Sheep Welfare Scheme must complete two mandatory actions from the following options: Shearing, Body Condition Scoring and Clostridial Vaccination of ewes. Applicants had the option to top up their payment if they choose to complete one further voluntary option from either foot-bathing or plunge dipping to control external parasites.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shearing<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Evidence of completion of the shearing action includes receipts from a shearing contractor or evidence of the sale of wool to a wool merchant.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Body condition scoring<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Body condition scoring must be carried out twice. The first assessment must be carried out between the 15<sup>th <\/sup>of April and the 15<sup>th<\/sup> of July 2025, and the second assessment must be carried out between the 1<sup>st<\/sup> of August and the 17<sup>th <\/sup>of October 2025.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Vaccination<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>For the vaccination of breeding ewes against clostridial diseases +\/- Pasteurella option, farmers not currently vaccinating ewes may vaccinate all lambs from the payable number of breeding ewes as an alternative.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Plunge dipping<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Plunge dipping, if selected, must be carried out on the breeding ewes where the flock owner has access to a plunge dip tub or a mobile plunge dipping service.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Foot-bathing<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Foot-bathing should be carried out a minimum of twice over the period from the 1<sup>st<\/sup> of April to the 1<sup>st<\/sup> of October and a minimum of two weeks should be left between foot-bathing.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Completion deadlines<\/h2>\r\nNational Sheep Welfare Scheme actions selected must be completed by 17<sup>th<\/sup> October 2025, however applicants who are unable to complete their chosen actions by this date could select the later date of 28<sup>th<\/sup> November 2025 at application stage.\r\n\r\nIn addition to completion of your chosen actions in the Sheep Improvement Scheme and the National Sheep Welfare Scheme, it is important to maintain receipts, update the scheme action record book and co-operate with inspections.\r\n\r\nIf your number of breeding ewes fall below the scheme payable number or other issues arise, <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/about\/farm-advisory\/advisory-regions\/wicklow-carlow-wexford\/contact-us\/\">contact your advisor<\/a> or the Sheep Scheme Section in the Department of Agriculture for support.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/less-meal-and-earlier-finishing-with-diverse-swards\/\">Less meal and earlier finishing with diverse swards<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/forage-crops-an-option-for-finishing-hill-lambs\/\">Forage crops: An option for finishing hill lambs?<\/a>","id":"190423","title":"Sheep scheme tasks and deadlines","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-07-15 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ewe-shorn-with-two-lambs-June-Feature.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/slats-soiled-water-storage.png","release_date":"2025-07-13","description":"As part of the Moorepark’25 Open Day, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Patrick Gowing took a closer look at slurry investments, examining the cost of additional slurry storage with the value of nutrients in it to grow grass.","main_body":"The value of slurry is dictated by its nutrient content and how we utilise this slurry on farms. Maximising the nutrient value of slurry has never been more important due to the increasing cost of fertiliser. Maximising slurry nutrient use efficiency will also help to maintain grass production levels in the face of regulatory reduction in chemical fertiliser application limits.\r\n\r\nSub-optimal management of slurry also represents a significant threat to water quality. We must ensure that application timings, locations and rates are optimised by considering storage capacity, management strategies, nutrient use efficiency and identify other opportunities to add value to slurry.\r\n\r\nAs we face into further reductions in chemical nitrogen allowances due to environmental regulation, the value of our slurry increases.\r\n<h2>Valuing slurry<\/h2>\r\nIn the past slurry has always been compared to the cost of chemical fertiliser. However, going forward, we need to look at the value of our slurry and its ability to grow grass in the absence of chemical fertiliser.\r\n\r\nIn the past, if we didn’t get the maximum value from our slurry by spreading at the wrong time or weather conditions, we could supplement our grass growth by top dressing with chemical nitrogen (N). This also potentially created water quality issues based on spreading time. With this in mind, we need to examine the cost additional slurry storage with the value of nutrients in it to grow grass rather than being compliant.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 1: Storage options and estimated costs<\/strong>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 51.008%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6029%; text-align: center;\"><strong>Details<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25.9459%; text-align: center;\"><strong>Unit cost<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.9292%; text-align: center;\"><strong>For 200 cows \/ 20 weeks<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6029%; text-align: center;\">Slatted tank<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25.9459%; text-align: center;\">9 foot deep, 16 foot wide<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.9292%; text-align: center;\">€790\/cow<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6029%; text-align: center;\">Overground tower<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25.9459%; text-align: center;\">+ Cover, reception tank, agitator<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.9292%; text-align: center;\">€835\/cow<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.6029%; text-align: center;\">Slurry bags<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25.9459%; text-align: center;\">Dilute slurry (&lt;4% DM)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.9292%; text-align: center;\">€325\/cow<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nIf we look at the cost of additional slurry storage the upfront capital cost is ~ €800 per cow excluding VAT and any potential grant (Table 1). While this is a significant cost if we average the cost over a 40-year lifespan of the tank it will cost €20\/cow\/year excluding a finance charge. If we now look at the value of the slurry by spreading it at the correct time to grow grass.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 2: Value of slurry, spread in optimal and poor conditions<\/strong>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 76.5117%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.2681%; text-align: center;\"><strong>Slurry produced over 20 weeks gals\/cow<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 24.7898%; text-align: center;\"><strong>(N, P, K) Value of slurry spread during optimal conditions <\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>(€\/cow)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.0578%; text-align: center;\"><strong>(N, P, K) Value of slurry spread during poor conditions <\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>(€\/cow)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.0304%; text-align: center;\"><strong>Difference<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>(€\/cow)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.2681%; text-align: center;\">1,452 gals<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 24.7898%; text-align: center;\">€64<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.0578%; text-align: center;\">€21<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 10.0304%; text-align: center;\">€43<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nAs we can see by spreading the slurry at optimal times it is worth an additional €43\/cow by using the nutrients to grow grass (Table 2). This will have a knock-on effect of improved water quality while maintaining grass growth.\r\n\r\n<strong>As part of the Moorepark 2025, Dr. Patrick Tuohy provided an overview of earlier findings from the Teagasc National Slurry Monitoring Programme. For key insights, watch the video below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"Moorepark'25 Open Day - Slurry Storage\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UjjLHqBbrvo\" width=\"442\" height=\"785\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n<h2>Slurry additives<\/h2>\r\nSome farmers are also exploring the option of adding value to their slurry by adding additives. There are two main types of additives, inoculants that add bacteria to the tank and also acids. The inoculants tested in research trials did not improve the nutrient content of the slurry and therefore should not be used.\r\n\r\nIncreasing the pH through the addition of acids has potential and is used in countries like Denmark however, it requires a lot of capital investment to ensure adequate mixing, and we are not in a position in this country to recommend it yet.\r\n<h2>Slurry drying<\/h2>\r\nOther farmers are looking at the potential of drying their slurry by using a screw press. This separates the liquid portion which is high in N back to the tank and the solid portion which is high in P into a dungstead.\r\n\r\nWhile there are benefits in drying if moving the material over long distances and then potentially helping balance nutrients across, the farm it needs to be spread carefully and matched to soil samples as you are spreading nutrient dense materials.\r\n<h2>Testing<\/h2>\r\nBefore looking into investing in adding value on slurry storage, we should first test the value of slurry we have. There can be a massive variance in nutrient content across tanks. Knowing the value of our own slurry and spreading accordingly could be the best investment prior to looking for alternatives.\r\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\r\nSpreading of slurry at the appropriate time can save you €43\/cow compared to spreading it in unfavourable conditions. Additional slurry storage is essential to achieve this. Slurry storage for 20 weeks costs ~ €800\/cow ex VAT.\r\n\r\nSlurry additives have a limited role in Ireland while, screw presses have a role especially in transporting long distances. Optimised management must begin with measurement; always start with a slurry test of each independent tank. Know the value of your own slurry.\r\n\r\nThe above was first published in the Moorepark Open Day 2025 book, <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">more insights from the Moorepark Dairy Open Day are available here<\/a>.","id":"189909","title":"Slurry storage and handling: How best to invest","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-13 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/slats-soiled-water-storage.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gareth-Peoples-700x365-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-11","description":"Teagasc DairyBeef 500 and Signpost Programme participant, Gareth Peoples fills us in on his approach to managing calves over the summer months, delving into his feeding and dosing protocols to ensure calf performance.","main_body":"With all of the calves successfully transitioned to the outdoors since early May, it is important to ensure calf performance is maintained from now on.\r\n<h2>Grouping and meal feeding<\/h2>\r\nI find grouping calves by size and age can help ensure even competition and it makes monitoring easier; smaller or slower-growing calves definitely benefit. Concentrate feeding will be maintained for the summer. The calves will receive 1.5kg per day from now on, depending on weather and grass quality. Although an extra cost and work, I feel it pays for itself when you see calves thriving.\r\n<h2>Grassland management<\/h2>\r\nFrom now on, I will target pre-grazing covers of &lt;1,000kg DM\/ha to encourage intakes. Calves are generally kept in the small paddocks and are moved every 2-3 days.\r\n\r\nKeeping fresh grass in front of calves is important, but it is just as important to get calves to graze out tight to ensure quality regrowth. Grazing down to the base of the grass plant is where the stem and fibrous material is, and doing so is important in preventing any digestive upsets. I will also keep straw with calves for the next few weeks as a buffer.\r\n<h2>Parasite control to ensure calf performance<\/h2>\r\nOne particular challenge we have faced in recent years on the farm is worms, and in particular lungworm.\r\n\r\nFor gut and stomach worms, we take regular faecal samples to monitor. Instead of guessing, we test every few weeks during the grazing season. If counts are low, there’s no point dosing – you’re just wasting money and building resistance. If counts are up, we treat – simple as that.\r\n\r\nLungworm (hoose) is a serious one. A couple of wet, muggy days and you could have a yard full of coughing calves. It comes on quick and, if you’re not watching, it can knock calves for six.\r\n\r\nThis was a particular issue last year and from speaking to farmers in the local discussion group, it was common in the area. We put a plan in place this year in conjunction with our local vet to try and get on top of it. The advice from the vet was once 25-30% of the calves start coughing, treat with a levamisole (yellow) based product.\r\n\r\nThe reason a levamisole product was recommended by the vet is that it paralyses the worms in the lungs and the calves could cough them up slowly. About 2-3 weeks after the levamisole treatment, he then recommended to treat calves with a long acting moxidectin based product that should give approximately 100 days cover. I am slightly concerned that this will lead to calves being slightly more naïve to worms during the second year and it will be something I will need to continue to monitor.\r\n\r\nIt’s not just about dosing, either. Where you put the calves makes a big difference to calf performance. I try to give them cleaner ground – silage after-grass is ideal. I avoid following older stock too closely, especially if they weren’t dosed well.\r\n\r\nThe above article first appeared in the Farming Independent as part of a Signpost Programme update.\r\n<h2>Climate Actions for July<\/h2>\r\nEach month, the Teagasc Signpost Programme promotes six key actions for each months. This month's actions are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Use NBPT protected urea,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Don't forget sulphur - little and often,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Reduce nitrogen on grass clover swards,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Book a milk recording,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Weigh calves and yearlings to monitor performance since turnout,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Apply lime.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-image-missing-alt alignnone size-full wp-image-191994\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/July-Climate-Actions-2025-scaled-e1752159238221.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"468\" data-warning=\"Missing alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/environment\/climate-change--air-quality\/signpost-programme\/\">Find out more about the Teagasc Signpost Programme here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/dairy-calf-to-beef\/dairybeef-500\/\">For more information on the DairyBeef 500 Campaign, visit here<\/a>.","id":"191966","title":"Maintaining calf performance – Gareth Peoples’ essentials","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-11 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gareth-Peoples-700x365-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Attendees-of-the-first-on-farm-knowledge-exchange-visit-and-workshop-1024x682.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-11","description":"FarmBioNet aims to help farmers assess biodiversity on their farms and implement low-cost, practical actions to enhance biodiversity without negatively impacting production.","main_body":"<em>Claudia Barry, Biodiversity Research Technician, Niall Walshe, FarmBioNet Research Officer, Meritxell Grau, FarmBioNet Project Manager, and Saorla Kavanagh, FarmBioNet Project Coordinator &amp; Research Officer, tell us more about its first workshop which share biodiversity knowledge among 30 National Network (NN) members.<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe Farmer-Focused Biodiversity and Agricultural Knowledge Network (<a href=\"https:\/\/farmbionet.eu\/\">FarmBioNet<\/a>) Project celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22<sup>nd<\/sup>, 2025, by holding the first on-farm knowledge exchange visit and workshop.\r\n\r\nThirty National Network (NN) members, representing every farm enterprise, participated on the day including 18 farmers, 3 foresters, researchers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), advisors, industry partners, policymakers and other relevant Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) actors. Every farm enterprise was represented.\r\n\r\nBoth the knowledge exchange visit and workshop took place on the McCall’s Farm in Calverstown, Co. Kildare. This historical farm, dating back to 1290, is managed holistically, fostering interactions between plants, soils and animals within a productive farming and forestry enterprise. The McCalls have been farming organically since 2023 and have contributed to several leading environmental projects including: <a href=\"https:\/\/biodiversityireland.ie\/projects\/protecting-farmland-pollinators\/\">Protecting Farmland Pollinators<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/biodiversityireland.ie\/projects\/farmer-moth-monitoring-project\/\">The Farmer Moth Monitoring EIP<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/restpoll.eu\/\">RestPoll<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-191617 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Teagasc-co-ordinator-Saorla-Kavanagh-welcomes-members-to-the-McCalls-farm-e1752146514856.jpg\" alt=\"Teagasc coordinator welcomed members to the FarmBioNet on the McCalls farm\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/>\r\n\r\n<em>FarmBioNet Project Coordinator, Dr. Saorla Kavanagh welcomes National Network members to the McCall's farm<\/em>\r\n<h2>Biodiversity-friendly farming practices<\/h2>\r\nThe day began with a warm welcome from Teagasc coordinator Dr. Saorla Kavanagh, who introduced the NN members to the McCalls and their farm as well as the aims for the day. The presentation was followed by an engaging workshop where participants discussed 58 different biodiversity-friendly farming (BFF) practices. Each practice was evaluated by participants for its impact on biodiversity and its economic viability for farmers. These discussions and evaluations are a key part of FarmBioNet’s efforts to collect valuable data on BFF practices and their dual benefits to nature and the farm economy.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191621\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Members-of-discussion-subgroup-2-representing-beef-farmers-e1752146647285.jpg\" alt=\"A group of beef farmers discussing biodiversity friendly practices as part of the FarmBioNet workshop\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe second half of the day featured a guided farm walk, led by Kim McCall, highlighting 13 of the many BFF practices implemented across the farm. Among the standout features were a series of ponds, ranging in age from 2 to 39 years old, which now provide habitat for a rich diversity of dragonflies, damselflies, and a host of other animal and plant species. Soil excavated during pond creation was used to build a south facing bank, offering essential nesting sites for pollinators including solitary mining bees and wasps.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191623\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Four-spotted-chaser-dragonfly-and-blue-damselfly-with-pond-in-the-background-left-and-beautiful-demoiselle-right-e1752146718393.png\" alt=\"Four-spotted chaser dragonfly with blue damselfly with pond in the background (left), beautiful demoiselle (right).\" width=\"700\" height=\"352\" \/>\r\n\r\n<em>Four-spotted chaser dragonfly with blue damselfly with pond in the background (left), beautiful demoiselle (right).<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe McCalls have planted over 60,000 trees on their land.  They have divided larger fields with newly planted hedgerows, with an average of 15 species per hedgerow. These hedgerows serve multiple purposes: providing food and shelter for livestock and wildlife, acting as wildlife corridors, and supporting habitat connectivity across the landscape.\r\n\r\nGrasslands on the farm are also carefully managed for biodiversity. A notable highlight is a 12-acre species-rich meadow, which is allowed to flower and reseed naturally through the year before being strip-grazed by cattle in the autumn. This practice supports a large diversity of insects including butterflies, bumblebees, solitary bees, hoverflies, shieldbugs, spiders and moths as well as large floral diversity including yellow-rattle, red clover, bird’s-foot-trefoil and orchids. The meadow is now part of the '<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatirishgrasslands.ie\/the-grasslands-trail\/\">Great Irish Grassland Trail'.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-191624 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Yellow-rattles-growing-in-species-rich-meadow-e1752146822616.jpg\" alt=\"Yellow rattles growing in species rich meadow\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/>\r\n\r\n<em>Yellow rattles growing in species-rich meadow<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe event proved to be a valuable and engaging experience, with overwhelmingly positive feedback form participants. Attendees valued the opportunity to contribute to research at a European level and were encouraged to know that their insights and experiences would inform the project’s outputs. The workshop sparked rich, open discussions around BFF practices, with individuals keen to share how they have implemented these measures on their own farms. The farm walk was particularly valued, offering a chance to see firsthand how the McCalls integrate BFF practices on their farm. Many highlighted the importance of balancing biodiversity efforts with farm economics and time commitments and were encouraged to know that these important considerations could be taken into account at both national and European levels when shaping future agri-environmental strategies.\r\n<h2>The aims of FarmBioNet<\/h2>\r\nFarmBioNet aims to help farmers assess biodiversity on their farms and implement low-cost, practical actions to enhance biodiversity without negatively impacting production. The project will use a multi-actor approach to determine best practices.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/farmbionet.eu\/\">Learn more about FarmBioNet and sign up to the biannual newsletter<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pollinators.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Farmland-Pollinator-Guidelines-2022-WEB.pdf\">You can find out more about helping pollinators on your farm here<\/a>.","id":"191615","title":"FarmBioNet workshop brings farmers together to share biodiversity knowledge","category":"Environment","release_date_time":"2025-07-11 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Attendees-of-the-first-on-farm-knowledge-exchange-visit-and-workshop-e1752147027650.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Professor-John-McNamara-Oireactas-Committee-July-9-2025.png","release_date":"2025-07-11","description":"Teagasc is taking significant steps to promote mental health and wellbeing among farmers. That’s according to Professor John McNamara, Senior Health and Safety Specialist, who addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food on Wednesday, July 9.","main_body":"Addressing the topic of farmer mental health and wellbeing, Professor McNamara explained: “Health promotion among farmers is vital not only for individual wellbeing, but also for maintaining farm productivity and safety.”\r\n\r\nOutlining some of the Teagasc initiatives, Professor McNamara pointed to the recent publication ‘Sowing the Seeds of Support: Positive Guidance for the Farming Community’, developed in collaboration with Mental Health Ireland, which offers practical guidance for managing stress, setting health goals and achieving work-life balance.\r\n\r\nResearch cited in the leaflet highlights significant concerns; a 2022 study found that 13.5% of farmers reported stress, declining to 8% following targeted interventions, Professor McNamara explained, while other Irish studies show that up to 50% of farmers experience sleep issues and burnout.\r\n\r\nOn other actions to support mental health and wellbeing among the farming community, Professor McNamara explained that Teagasc works closely with organisations like Mental Health Ireland, the HSE, the Department of Health, and the National Centre for Men’s Health to “signpost” farmers toward wellbeing resources. He also credited the work of ‘On Feirm Ground’, a programme which offers bespoke training to those in contact with farmers through their work, allowing them to direct farmers to supports, particularly in the area of mental health.\r\n\r\nAlso appearing before the Oireachtas Committee, Dr. David Meredith discussed the Teagasc research conducted in relation to farmer stress and wellbeing. The supports stemming from this work aim to either prevent or reduce occupational stressors, or provide farmers with knowledge, resources and support to access the services they require.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/publications\/opening-statement-on-behalf-of-teagasc-to-joint-oireachtas-committee-on-agriculture-and-food\/\">For more information, Professor McNamara’s and Dr. Meredith’s full opening statement to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food is available to read here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.oireachtas.ie\/en\/oireachtas-tv\/video-archive\/committees\/10478\">Alternatively, you can watch a recording of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food meeting from July 9 on Oireactas TV<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/publications\/sowing-seeds-of-support-positive-mental-health-guidance-for-the-farming-community-php\/\">The ‘Sowing Seeds of Support: Positive Mental Health Guidance for the Farming Community’ is available to download here.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/dairy-farmers-urged-to-focus-on-work-life-balance\/\">Dairy farmers urged to focus on work-life balance<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/making-dairy-farms-more-attractive-places-to-work\/\">Making dairy farms more attractive places to work<\/a>","id":"191599","title":"Championing farmer health and wellbeing","category":"Other","release_date_time":"2025-07-11 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Professor-John-McNamara-Oireactas-Committee-July-9-2025.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/original-EDCB52F3-4DC4-4184-87F3-D38C32FB8E50-1024x473.jpeg","release_date":"2025-07-10","description":"A new publication titled ‘Teagasc Research Impact Highlights in 2024’ has showcased the depth and breath of research undertaken by Teagasc.","main_body":"This publication showcases 20 case studies, highlighting some of these new impacts achieved in 2024, Teagasc Director of Research, Professor Pat Dillon said, who continued:\r\n\r\n“Teagasc is extremely fortunate to have an outstanding core of scientists, supported by top-class technical, farm, advisory, specialist and administration staff, whose work contributes to our collective research output.”\r\n<h2>Impact of investment in scientific research<\/h2>\r\nAs with all public spending, it is both desirable and necessary to show value for money and articulate the impact of investment in scientific research. This publication demonstrates the huge benefits of investment of public funds on scientific research to the Irish agri-food sector. This publication showcases 20 case studies highlighting some of these new impacts achieved in 2024.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/about\/research--innovation\/research-impact-highlights\/\">View the full list of highlights across Teagasc’s research programme in the Teagasc Research Impact Highlights in 2024 publication here<\/a>.\r\n<h2>Examples from the Teagasc ‘Research Impact Highlights in 2024’ are outlined below:<\/h2>\r\n<h3>Forecasting grass growth for farmers<\/h3>\r\nWeekly grass growth can be highly variable and, with climate change, is becoming increasingly unpredictable. The Moorepark St Giles Grass Growth model (MoSt GG) was developed by Dr Elodie Ruelle and colleagues and calibrated using Irish weather and soil data to capture variability in grass growth across different conditions. Since 2019, it has been used to predict grass growth on commercial grassland farms and, since 2020, its forecasts have featured on national television via the RTÉ Farming Forecast. In 2024, a major step forward was taken with its integration into PastureBase Ireland, a national online decision-support tool used by over seven thousand grassland farmers to implement best grassland management practices in 2024.\r\n<h3>Underreporting injuries hampers farm safety<\/h3>\r\nFarm injuries are significantly underreported across Ireland and the EU, limiting the effectiveness of safety policies. As part of the EU-funded SafeHabitus project, Teagasc researchers, Drs David Meredith, John McNamara, and Diana van Doorn, highlighted gaps in current data and proposed key safety indicators for inclusion in the EU Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN) survey. These include the number of work-related injuries, presence of a farm safety plan, and provision of safety training. Engaging with EU policymakers and partners across 11 member states, the project successfully secured agreement to include these indicators in the FSDN from 2025. This marks the first EU-wide standardised system for monitoring farm injuries among self-employed farmers, demonstrating how research-driven advocacy can bridge policy gaps, ultimately enhancing safety standards for agricultural workers across Europe.\r\n<h3>Protected urea: reducing emissions while sustaining production<\/h3>\r\nUsing protected urea (PU) in place of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is an important greenhouse gas emission reduction technology for the Irish agriculture sector. Protected urea use has been steadily growing, from about 10% in 2021 to 26% in 2024, but this needs to increase significantly more if agriculture is going to meet its climate carbon reduction targets by 2030.\r\n\r\nChallenging weather conditions in 2024 led to questions from farmers and the agricultural sector regarding yield performance of PU. A long-term fertiliser nitrogen (N) field trial at Teagasc Johnstown Castle, by Mark Plunkett, Dr Patrick Forrestal, and colleagues, compared different fertiliser combinations over 10 years. The results showed similar yields were achieved using the tested protected urea products and for CAN – including in 2024. These results were widely communicated to the agricultural industry by Teagasc staff to give reassurance to farmers using PU products.\r\n<h3> Food products for patients with dysphagia<\/h3>\r\nThe National Prepared Consumer Food Centre, Teagasc Ashtown, played a pivotal role in supporting innovative start-up company Ocras in the development of texture-modified foods for dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) that are safe, nutritionally adequate, and visually appealing. The partnership, led by manager of the National Prepared Consumer Food Centre, Shay Hannon, ensured the successful commercialisation of a range of unique products. The company has secured contracts with the Health Service Executive in Ireland, and care homes and is in discussions with the National Health Service to expand its offerings into the UK market.\r\n\r\nOcras’ innovative approach to food and packaging design has enhanced the quality of life for individuals with swallowing difficulties while promoting sustainability through waste reduction.\r\n\r\nProfessor Dillon concludes: “I would like to acknowledge our collaborators in universities and other external bodies, including the farming community and agri-food companies, who are directly involved in many of our research projects. I would also like to highlight the Teagasc Walsh Scholars and post-doctoral fellows, whose contribution to our ongoing research activities is invaluable.\"","id":"191662","title":"Highlighting the impact of Teagasc research","category":"Other","release_date_time":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/original-EDCB52F3-4DC4-4184-87F3-D38C32FB8E50-e1752149623318.jpeg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/phacelia.png","release_date":"2025-07-10","description":"With harvest 2025 commencing at a pace, tillage farmers are being presented with the perfect opportunity to establish catch crops. Here are some of the catch crop options available:","main_body":"Along with showcasing the latest research on crop choices, crop husbandry and agronomy programmes, the Crops and Technology Open Day held in the Teagasc Crops Research Centre showcased some of the catch crop options available, allowing growers to easily identify each crop’s strengths and growth habits.\r\n<h2>Forage rape<\/h2>\r\nPictured below, forage rape is a brassica species. Capable of trapping nitrogen, this fast-growing crop features a tap root and is suitable for grazing. However, care is needed as it is not suitable when oilseed rape is grown in the rotation.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191534\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/forage-rape.png\" alt=\"Forage rape catch crop\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n<h2>Phacelia<\/h2>\r\nSuitable in rotations with oilseed rape, phacelia is of the species hydrophyllaceae. Featuring a fibrous root system, it’s a fast-growing crop that is capable of capturing nitrogen.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191535\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/phacelia.png\" alt=\"A crop of phacelia\" width=\"700\" height=\"399\" \/>\r\n<h2>Buckwheat<\/h2>\r\nAnother fast-growing catch crop species that will trap nitrogen, buckwheat is of the polygonaceae species. Featuring a fibrous root system, it is a P enabler in high pH soils but has poor frost tolerance.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191536\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/buckwheat.png\" alt=\"A crop of buckwheat\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n<h2>Vetch<\/h2>\r\nA legume species, vetch is a fast-growing crop that will fix nitrogen. Although winter hardy, care is needed if including other legume crops within your rotation.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191537\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/vetch.png\" alt=\"A crop of vetch\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n<h2>Tillage radish<\/h2>\r\nAnother member of the brassica family, tillage radish features a deep rooting system, is fast growing and will trap nitrogen.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191538\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tillage-radish.png\" alt=\"tillage radish\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n<h2>Mustard<\/h2>\r\nDescribed as a very fast-growing crop, mustard is a brassica species featuring a tap root system. Capable of trapping nitrogen, it is not suitable for inclusion in rotations with oilseed rape.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191539\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/mustard.png\" alt=\"a crop of mustard catch crop\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n<h2>Linseed<\/h2>\r\nA linaceae species, linseed is an easily established species that will trap nitrogen. Featuring a deep fibrous root, and performing well in thin soils, non-frost hardiness is a disadvantage.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191540\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Linseed.png\" alt=\"Linseed catch crop\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n<h2>Crimson clover<\/h2>\r\nAnother legume capable of fixing nitrogen, crimson clover is fast-growing relative to white clovers, but care is needed when other legume crops form part of your rotation.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191541\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/crimson-clover.png\" alt=\"a crop of crimson clover\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n<h2>Catch crop sowing date<\/h2>\r\nAs part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/media\/website\/publications\/2025\/Tillage-Newsletter-July-2025.pdf\">Tillage Advisory newsletter for July (PDF),<\/a> Teagasc Tillage Specialist, Ciaran Collins explained the importance of sowing date for cover crops. Read his key message below:\r\n\r\nSowing date of the catch crop is crucial. The more growth that takes place, the more nitrates will be taken up. Large biomass production is vital to maximise the benefits of cover crops, and early sowing is essential to achieve good autumn growth and subsequent large biomass.\r\n\r\nExperiments at Teagasc Oak Park to demonstrate the effects of sowing date on biomass production showed that there was a linear reduction in the amount of biomass produced as sowing date is delayed (Figure 1).\r\n\r\n<strong>Figure 1: Biomass after various cover crop sowing dates<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191545\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/catch-crop-biomass-production.png\" alt=\"A bar chart showing that a mustard crop established on July 30 produced almost 2t DM\/ha more than a crop sown on August 18, as sowing date extends to September 8, total dry matter production declines to less than 0.5t DM\/ha\" width=\"575\" height=\"477\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe mustard in the experiment lost 2t DM\/ha for each three-week delay in sowing, so the clear message is to plant cover crops as soon as straw is removed to reap the benefits. Other benefits from cover crops include improved soil structure, reduced compaction, increased water infiltration, and reduced risk of soil loss in periods of heavy rainfall.\r\n<h2>The vital role of a catch crop<\/h2>\r\nDr. Bridget Lynch, Teagasc Research Officer, and Dr. Richie Hackett, Crops Research Officer at Teagasc, joined Cathal Somers on the latest podcast version of the Signpost Series to discuss the vital role of catch crops.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/ac39b862\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/publications\/tillage-newsletter-july-2025\/\">For more from the Tillage Advisory newsletter, visit here<\/a>.","id":"191532","title":"In pictures: Catch crop options","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/phacelia.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/TE100725v2A-1024x1024.png","release_date":"2025-07-10","description":"Tom Kelly, Scheme Manager of the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme, joins Michael Hennessy on this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss how Irish grain meets high quality standards.","main_body":"They explore the key elements of the scheme, its role in ensuring traceability and market confidence, and what it means for farmers on the ground. Tom also outlines new requirements around trailer identification and what farmers need to do in 2025.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen to the Tillage Edge podcast below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/82ad6874\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nProduced on behalf of Teagasc by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastcastmedia.com\/\">LastCastMedia.com<\/a>, more episodes and information are available on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/crops\/the-tillage-edge-podcast\/\">Tillage Edge podcast show page<\/a>.","id":"191555","title":"Tillage Edge: What’s behind Ireland’s Grain Quality Assurance?","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/TE100725v2A-e1752139615253.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cattle-at-grass-featured.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-10","description":"Compared to other animals cattle cannot dissipate their heat load very well. Cattle do not sweat effectively and rely on respiration to cool down. Dr. Bernadette Earley, Teagasc Grange Researcher, has previously produced the 'Heat Stress in Cattle Factsheet' to help farmers manage cattle on these hot days. Read it here:","main_body":"<p class=\"intro\">Compared to other animals cattle cannot dissipate their heat load very well. Cattle do not sweat effectively and rely on respiration to cool down. Dr. Bernadette Earley, Teagasc Grange Researcher, has previously produced the 'Heat Stress in Cattle Factsheet' to help farmers manage cattle on these hot days. Read it here:<\/p>\r\n<strong>View<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Heat_stress_fact_sheet_BE_July_2021.pdf\">Heat Stress in Cattle Factsheet<\/a> <strong>(PDF) here<\/strong>\r\n<h2>How cattle lose heat<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone size-full wp-image-191518\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cattle-heat-stress-628x478-1.png\" alt=\"An image showing how cattle lose heat, key in reducing the impact of heat stress\" width=\"628\" height=\"478\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\nPhoto above: Animals produce heat from their metabolism and this heat can be lost to the environment by several routes:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Convection<\/strong>: Transfer by flow of air<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Radiation;<\/strong> Transfer by emission of heat<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Conduction;<\/strong> Transmission by contact with another surface<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Evaporation;<\/strong> Transfer by evaporation of water e.g. panting or sweating<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nCattle do not sweat effectively and rely on respiration to cool down. A compounding factor on top of climatic conditions is the <strong>fermentation process within the rumen<\/strong> which generates additional heat that cattle need to dissipate. Since cattle do not dissipate heat effectively they accumulate a heat load during the day and dissipate heat at night when it is cooler.\r\n<h2>The facts<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Heavy cattle cannot handle heat stress compared to lighter weight cattle.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Increased fat deposition prevents cattle from regulating their heat effectively.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Solar radiation is a critical component that can lead to death loss from heat stress.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Typically, more black hided cattle die during heat waves then other hide colours. Since cattle rely on respiration as a method to manage heat - respiratory function is important (Figure 1).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Cattle that had severe respiratory disease early in the feeding period will have decreased ability to regulate their heat load.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Typically, more black hided cattle die during heat waves then other hide colours<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Managing heat stress<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cattle water normal requirements<\/strong> (Table 1). The water requirements of cattle increases during heat stress. Cattle lose water from increased respiration and perspiration (see figure 1). Additionally, consumption of water is the quickest method for cattle to reduce their core body temperature. Therefore, water consumption will be greater than typical metabolic requirements.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Flies cause cattle to bunch up which decreases cooling. Minimizing breeding areas for flies and applying insecticides to decrease fly populations prior to heat stress times is worthwhile.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>During times of increased heat stress cattle should be observed closely to identify if additional strategies need to be implemented.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>As heat stress increases cattle will begin to salivate and respiration rates will increase. Eventually, cattle will begin to group together. In severe heat stress cattle will be open mouth breathing with a laboured effort.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Did you know?<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Coat colour and type<\/strong>- cattle with lighter coat colour tend to be more tolerant of heat.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Body condition<\/strong>- heavier cattle tend to be more susceptible.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Adaptation<\/strong>- cattle will adapt to heat provided the temperature change is gradual.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Health<\/strong>- cattle with a prevailing health condition are less able to cope with changes in temperature.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Grazing management<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Rotate cattle in the evening rather than the morning. The assumption is that the grass will be consumed in the evening and the ‘heat of fermentation’ or digestion is mostly dissipated by mid-morning, thereby reducing the heat load produced by the animal.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Graze paddocks that allow access to temporary shade or trees during the heat of the day.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Table 1: Approximate total daily water intake of cattle at 4°, 14° and 21° C<\/strong>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 70.5286%; height: 240px;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%;\" rowspan=\"2\"><strong>Animal type<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%;\" rowspan=\"2\"><strong>Weight (kg)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 30.5286%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"3\"><strong>Water intake (litres)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\"><strong>4°<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\"><strong>14°<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\"><strong>21°<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%; height: 24px;\">Steers\/heifers\/bulls<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%; height: 24px;\">180<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\">15<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\">19<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\">22<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%; height: 24px;\">Steers\/heifers\/bulls<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%; height: 24px;\">270<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\">20<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\">25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\">30<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%; height: 24px;\">Steers\/heifers\/bulls<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%; height: 24px;\">360<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\">23<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\">30<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\">35<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%; height: 24px;\">Steers\/heifers\/bulls<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%; height: 24px;\">450<sup>1<\/sup><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\">30<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\">37<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\">44<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%; height: 24px;\">Steers\/heifers\/bulls<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%; height: 24px;\">540<sup>1<\/sup><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\">35<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\">42<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\">50<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%; height: 24px;\">Steers\/heifers\/bulls<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%; height: 24px;\">640<sup>1<\/sup><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\">40<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\">47<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\">56<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%; height: 24px;\">Suckler cows - lactating<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%; height: 24px;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\">43<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\">55<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\">64<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%; height: 24px;\">Suckler cows - non lactating<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%; height: 24px;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%; height: 24px;\">23<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%; height: 24px;\">25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%; height: 24px;\">33<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 17.4656%;\">Mature bulls<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.5344%;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.0348%;\">33<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.28309%;\">41<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 9.2107%;\">48<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><sup>1<\/sup>Estimated. Source: National Research Council 1996<\/em><\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong>In hot weather, cattle requirements for water increase 1.5 to 2.0 times their normal requirements. Check water sources and ensure adequate access and availability for cattle.<\/strong>\r\n<h2>The temperature humidity index<\/h2>\r\nTemperature is the most important environmental factor affecting the physiological functions of cattle. Cattle have a thermal neutral zone (optimal experience of comfort in relation to environmental temperature), between the lower critical temperature <strong>(LCT)<\/strong> and the upper critical temperature <strong>(UCT)<\/strong> (Table 2).  When cattle are within this thermo-neutral zone, they only have to expend minimal energy in order to maintain their body temperature and therefore, maintain performance. Once the ambient temperature goes above or below the thermo-neutral zone, the animal will be required to expend metabolic energy on heat production or heat dissipation therefore reducing the amount of energy available for other bodily functions. The LCT will vary depending on the condition of the animal’s coat, as can be seen in Table 2. The UCT varies depending on humidity levels.\r\n\r\n<strong>The temperature humidity index (THI), shown in Table 2, has been widely used as an indicator of thermal stress in livestock.<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191525\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Temperature-Humidity-Index-THI-thermal-stress-e1752136933172.png\" alt=\"The temperature humidity index (THI), shown in Table 2, has been widely used as an indicator of thermal stress in livestock\" width=\"700\" height=\"471\" \/>","id":"191514","title":"Heat stress in cattle","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cattle-at-grass-featured.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/014-1024x684.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-10","description":"The National Prepared Consumer Food Centre Strategy (2025-2030) was launched on Wednesday, 9th July, by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Noel Grealish TD. at Teagasc Ashtown, Dublin.","main_body":"The National Prepared Consumer Food Centre aims to enhance the competitiveness of Ireland’s prepared consumer foods sector through technical support and research, contributing to sustained growth. Ireland’s prepared consumer food sector has made significant strides in recent years. This new strategy has been developed to continue growth and enhance the prepared consumer food sector.\r\n\r\nLaunching the strategy, Minister Noel Grealish TD said: “I’m delighted to launch this new strategy. The National Prepared Consumer Foods Centre (NPCFC) at Teagasc Ashtown is a dedicated innovation hub designed specifically to meet the needs of this sector.\r\n\r\n“It was established in 2018 with funding from my Department and since then, my Department has allocated €10 million to the Centre.\r\n\r\n“This initiative is fully aligned with Food Vision 2030 Ireland’s 10-year strategy for the Agri food sector and also our National Development Plan, Project Ireland 2040.”\r\n\r\nMinister Grealish continued: “The work done by the National Prepared Consumer Foods Centre also supports food businesses to reformulate their products in line with the ambition of the Government’s Roadmap for Food Reformulation.”\r\n\r\nSpeaking from the launch, Teagasc Chairman, Liam Herlihy said: “The National Prepared Consumer Foods Centre is well established as a centre of excellence, helping companies across the country to pilot collaborative, industry-led innovation, access cutting-edge food research, and develop scalable, market-ready solutions.”\r\n<h2>The role of the National Prepared Consumer Food Centre<\/h2>\r\nSince opening in 2018 the Centre has completed over 520 projects with over 350 food companies providing technical support, training and access to services.\r\n\r\nThe NPCFC focusses on the following key supports for the food sector:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Food Innovation and product development<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Nutritional analysis and quality<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Advanced processing technology<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sensory analysis and quality<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Food safety and shelf life<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe Centre provides state of the art pilot scale processing equipment and access to modern analytical and sensory laboratories to characterise foods in terms of nutritional, compositional, microbial and sensory profiles\r\n\r\nThe new strategy centres on six key objectives:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Enhance the PCF sector through technical support<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Facilitate best in class equipment and technology<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provide expert knowledge and support<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provide access to state-of-the-art facilities<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Drive excellence through research<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Build relationship with key stakeholders including government, EU and International agencies.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/publications\/national-prepared-consumer-food-centre-strategy-2025-2030\/\">A copy of the strategy, which was developed in consultation with NPCFC technical group, governance committee and industry, is available here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>Photo caption: Pictured at the launch from left to right are: Ciara McDonagh, Teagasc Ashtown; Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director; Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairman; and Shay Hannon, Teagasc Ashtown.<\/em><\/span>","id":"191490","title":"New Strategy for National Prepared Consumer Food Centre","category":"Food","release_date_time":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/014-scaled-e1752133915184.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Field-of-silage-with-cows-in-background-Featured.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-10","description":"Not always prioritised, potassium (K) is an important nutrient of grassland. In this article, Climate and Sustainability Advisor based in Ballinasloe, Colm O’Leary reminds us that it’s time to maintain or build soil K levels.","main_body":"While each farm has a nitrogen and phosphorus allowance based on regulated limits, K is not a regulated nutrient. Potassium is a vital nutrient for building grass yield potential and improving nutrient (especially N) uptake and utilisation.\r\n\r\nIt is a key nutrient in building plant structure, helping keep grass upright, while maintaining water balance in the plant which is a help during dry conditions. A high percentage of K is recycled by grazing livestock (90%+ in urine) onto grazing land with the most significant offtakes associated with silage crops (typically 3-4 times the K requirements versus grazing).\r\n\r\nPaddocks that have had surplus grass removed as baled silage will also need to return K with each bale of grass silage removing approximately 10 units of K\/bale.\r\n<h2>Potassium – where to start<\/h2>\r\nMost farmers have a nutrient management plan or soil sample results to establish lime, phosphorus (P) and K rates. Check in with your advisor or consult your results to identify fields low in K which will appear as Index 1 (&lt;50mg\/l very low K supply) or 2 (&lt;100mg\/l low K supply). Any soils at Index 3 (101-150 mg\/l optimum soil supply) can be targeted to replace offtakes to maintain their optimum levels. If soils are at index 4 (&gt;150 mg\/l K), there is no K requirement for the year after the soil sample was taken and then revert to a K Index 3 maintenance application rate until the next soil sample is taken.\r\n\r\nPeaty or high organic matter soils (&gt;20% SOM) don’t have the ability to retain K like mineral soils. In the case, where a farm is low in K, prioritise fields that are most relied upon to deliver optimum growth (grazing platform or silage fields) and build these to the optimum level (Index 3).\r\n<h2>Requirements<\/h2>\r\nOn silage ground, the offtakes can be significant. A good rule of thumb when closing for silage would be 1 unit of K per every unit of N applied.\r\n\r\nThe predicted offtakes for a first-cut silage crop yielding 5t DM per ha (10 bales\/ac) is 125kg K\/ha (100 units\/ac). Second and third cuts have a predicted offtake of 75kg\/ha (60 units\/ac) assuming 3t DM\/ha yield.\r\n\r\nOfftakes from grazing are stocking rate dependant and significantly lower. For a dairy farm grazing at 2.5-3 LU\/ha, the predicted maintenance requirement is 40kg K\/ha (32 units of K\/ac). A beef farm stocked at 2 LU\/ha is predicted to require 15kg\/ha (12 units\/ac) for maintenance. Actual growth and farm offtakes will impact the true maintenance figure required. K application is often referenced as being particularly important for red clover silage.\r\n<h2>Sources of potassium<\/h2>\r\nThe best source of K on a livestock farm is cattle slurry or farmyard manure. The typical K content of slurry is 32 units of K\/1,000 gals at 6% DM, although slurry testing can show variances at farm level due to differences in livestock type and feeding regime.\r\n\r\nWhere compound fertilisers are used in line with the farms P allowance, 18:6:12+S is balanced fertiliser for grazing areas. On silage areas, 0-7-30 is suitable due to its P:K ratio. Where there is no P allowance on farm or it has been distributed elsewhere, 29-0-14+S can be used in line with normal N application to build on the grazing platform. MOP 50% (Muriate of Potash) is a suitable product for build-up in particular and with 50 units of K it is ideal for meeting the demands of silage areas after the final yearly cut has been taken.\r\n<h2>Timing of K application<\/h2>\r\nK is susceptible to ‘luxury uptake’, which means grass is likely to take up more than it needs during rapid growth periods. This can cause issues with grass tetany in lactating animals. High K levels when closing for silage can lead to excessive K in silage which is associated with milk fever susceptibility.\r\n\r\nFor this reason, a single application is recommended to not exceed 90kg K per ha (73 units\/ac). The typical route to build K is to apply a little and often on grazing land, use slurry to apply maintenance on silage areas and apply build up at the end of the growing season.\r\n\r\n<strong>Key messages:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Start identifying if there are K deficits on the farm with your advisor<\/li>\r\n \t<li>For silage ground, start planning MOP 50% where needed for maintenance or build up (1 bag\/ac K Index 1, 0.5 bag\/ac K Index 2)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Have paddocks where surplus bales have been harvested received slurry or chemical K?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Payback in increased grass yield and N use efficiency<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Optimum soil fertility allows reduced chemical N use on productive land key to water quality and GHG emission targets.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","id":"190975","title":"Start planning to replace potassium (K)","category":"Grassland","release_date_time":"2025-07-10 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-09 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Field-of-silage-with-cows-in-background-Featured.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BE090725v2A-1024x1024.png","release_date":"2025-07-09","description":"Teagasc Scheme Support Specialist, Seamus Nolan is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast, providing an update on the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS).","main_body":"Seamus discusses items that are eligible for grants, enabling farmers to make various improvements on their farms.\r\n\r\nTAMS consists of 10 different schemes and seven of these, including: the Animal Welfare, Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS); the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS); the Organic Farming Capital Investment Scheme (OFCIS); the Dairy Equipment Investment Scheme (DES); the Low-Emissions Slurry Spreader Scheme (LESS); the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS); and the Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme (PPIS) were previously available under TAMS 2.\r\n\r\nThe Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS), the Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme (FSCIS) and the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) are new additions to TAMS 3.\r\n\r\nThere is grant-rate of 60% in respect of investments under the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment, Organic Capital Investments and Farm Safety Investments.  The scheme consists of a €90,000 ceiling for individuals, joint ventures and companies, while a higher ceiling will be in place for DAFM-registered farm partnerships.\r\n\r\n<strong>For more information, listen to the Beef Edge podcast featuring Seamus Nolan below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/8f6050dd\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ie\/en\/service\/4255c-targeted-agricultural-modernisation-scheme-3-tams-3\/\">A full list of eligible items and references costs associated with TAMS is available here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nProduced on behalf of Teagasc by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastcastmedia.com\/\">LastCastMedia.com<\/a>, more episodes and information is available on th<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/thebeefedge\">e Beef Edge podcast show page<\/a>.","id":"190984","title":"Beef Edge: A TAMS update with Seamus Nolan","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-09 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-09 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BE090725v2A-e1752058636559.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/iStock-image-of-dairy-products-1024x683.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-09","description":"For the last 160 years, the reference method for measuring protein in foods has involved measuring a food’s nitrogen content and multiplying it by a conversion factor. ","main_body":"Despite being used in food labelling, nutritional assessments, global trade and the food sciences, many currently accepted conversion factors still originate from the 19<sup>th<\/sup> century.\r\n<h2>Recalculating the conversion factor for dairy protein<\/h2>\r\nA few years ago, the United Nations (FAO \/ WHO) summoned a group of international experts to recalculate the conversion factor for dairy protein. This could only be done with a low – medium level of confidence.\r\n\r\n“Milk is probably the most studied food product in the world, so the lack of confidence surprised us. This reflects the lack of certain specific analytical methods, and the associated published data, which we are working to resolve,\" Andre Brodkorb, who represented Teagasc on this panel, reflects.\r\n\r\nWhile the knowledge of food composition has improved over the years, it may be surprising to know that the actual definition of protein has also changed. Currently, used factors assume protein is the mass of purified, coagulating, nitrogenous substances, which correlates to the only method available to 19<sup>th<\/sup> century food scientists.\r\n\r\n“The accuracy achieved by Olof Hammarsten or Thomas Osborne, using a bunsen burner, filter paper and various salt solutions, is a surprisingly high bar to attain.  However, contemporary definitions of protein have changed, requiring these otherwise excellent analyses to be updated,\" Tim Hoekstra, a Teagasc Walsh Scholar PhD student working on this issue, notes.\r\n\r\n<strong>Figure 1: \"Jones 1931\": the source of modern-day conversion factors<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-190915\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Picture1.png\" alt=\"A copy of the factors for converting percentages of nitrogen in foods and feeds into percentages of protein, listing multiple ingredients with a suggested conversion factor\" width=\"700\" height=\"705\" \/>\r\n<h2>Milk<\/h2>\r\nThe nutritional sciences typically define protein as the mass of amino acids (i.e. the building blocks of protein), or sometimes the mass of dietary nitrogen. However, many proteins also contain carbohydrate portions as a fundamental part of their structure, whilst dairy proteins are unique by also containing phosphate – modified amino acids, which greatly enhance milk’s nutrition by binding calcium in a bioavailable “micelle” structure.\r\n\r\n<strong>Figure 2: Nitrogen - fractions in milk products, depicting amino acids in varying forms (polypeptide chains, peptides and free amino acids), as well as protein’s post translational modifications (i.e. phosphorylation, glycosylation), and “non-protein” nitrogen compounds<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-190917\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Picture2.png\" alt=\"A complex graph providing chemical symbols for the true protein and non protein nitrogen fractions in milk\" width=\"602\" height=\"366\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe researchers were also surprised to learn roughly a quarter of the nitrogen in milk that has been historically termed “non-protein nitrogen”, when considered under contemporary nutritional definitions, is actually protein.\r\n\r\nNoel McCarthy, the Teagasc Research Officer overseeing this project, explains: “The relative mass fractions in milk change dramatically between different protein ingredients. By logic, we can appreciate that if we include or exclude different mass fractions into the definition of protein, the resultant mass of protein changes, requiring different conversion factors.”\r\n\r\nAccounting for all this will require a set of conversion factors, specific to the context and product they are being used for. This will be published once the researchers have validated their analytical methods and built up a larger dataset.\r\n\r\nJohn Tobin, Head of the <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/food\/food-chemistry-technology\/\">Food Chemistry Department at our Moorepark<\/a> site, points out: “Conducting this important research at Teagasc makes sense, given our resident expertise and capability in determining the nitrogen fractions in milk, within our accredited laboratories, which support the production of certified reference samples, distributed across milk testing sites in Ireland.”\r\n\r\nThis research is funded by <a href=\"https:\/\/dairyresearchireland.ie\/\">Dairy Research Ireland<\/a> in collaboration with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucc.ie\/en\/\">University College Cork<\/a>.\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dairyresearchireland.ie\/\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone wp-image-190919\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DairyResearch-Ireland-logo.png\" alt=\"The logo of Dairy Research Ireland\" width=\"700\" height=\"254\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/a><\/div>","id":"190913","title":"Teagasc researchers bringing protein measurement into the 21st century","category":"Food","release_date_time":"2025-07-09 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-09 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/iStock-image-of-dairy-products-scaled-e1752053037959.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/suckler-cows-and-calves-grazing-white-clover-in-Grange-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-09","description":"Maintaining grass quality has become a huge challenge in recent weeks, writes Teagasc Beef Specialist, Catherine Egan who shares practical tips on getting grass quality back in check. ","main_body":"As you drive around the country, it is evident maintaining grass quality on farms has become a huge challenge in recent weeks. In many cases, sward stem content has increased, rotation length is extended to graze out paddocks and grass covers stock are going into are on the increase. It’s a vicious circle.\r\n\r\nAs part of its weekly newsletter, published each week, the Grass10 team present current grass growth rates and predicted grass growth rates for the week ahead. See this week’s figures below.\r\n\r\n<strong>Figure 1: Current grass growth as record on PastureBase Ireland farms (week of July 8)<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-190902\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/current-grass-growth-rates-Grass10-July-9-2025.jpg\" alt=\"A map showing average grass growth rates measured by farmers using PastureBase Ireland last week. Growth rates range from 49kg DM\/ha up to 77kg DM\/ha\" width=\"700\" height=\"840\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>Figure 2: Predicted grass growth rates for the week ahead as published by the Grass10 team<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-190903\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Predicted-grass-growth-rates-July-8-2025-Grass10-scaled.png\" alt=\"A map showing predicted grass growth for the week ahead. Growth rates of 39kg DM\/ha\/day to 81kg DM\/ha are predicted \" width=\"700\" height=\"840\" \/>\r\n\r\nAccording to Grass10 analysis of farmers measuring grass on Pasturebase Ireland, 49% of all farms are in a grass surplus this week and pre-grazing yield is on the high side (1,514kg DM\/ha). This is having a knock-on effect, reducing animal performance and resulting in poorer clean outs. This will also impact future grazing rotations.\r\n\r\nSo, what can be done now?\r\n<h3>1). Walk the farm - assess what grass is currently available<\/h3>\r\nReview stock numbers on the farm. Assess what is the demand for grass now based on what’s available and stock demand, can surplus paddocks be removed?\r\n<h3>2). How long are cattle spending in fields\/paddocks<\/h3>\r\nIf the intended 3 days grazing has increased to 5 days or in some cases 5 days grazing has increased to 7 days, this is going to have an impact on regrowth and animal performance. Action can be taken to use temporary reels to sub divide paddocks to ensure reduced time spent in paddocks grazing. Alternatively, at this stage of the year, can the number of grazing groups be reduced? This would result in a larger group helping increase grazing demand, thus allowing paddocks to be grazed in 3 days.\r\n<h3>3). Dealing with stem content<\/h3>\r\nDue to high stem content on some farms currently, topping may be needed to remove excess stemmy grass. Top the sward down to under 4-5cm. Where possible, removing surpluses as bales will reduce the need for topping.\r\n<h3>4). Grass quality for the remainder of the season<\/h3>\r\nThe other focus is to ensure that grass quality is corrected for the rest of the grazing season, particularly before we start building covers into the autumn. Depending on farm demand, the nutrient management plan should be reviewed to know how much is left to be applied and this should be allocated accordingly.\r\n<h3>5). Organic manures<\/h3>\r\nOther options, such as slurry and farmyard manure, should be assessed. Make a plan for these organic manures now. Additionally, review your nutrient management plan, there may be a possibility – if required – to apply lime on paddocks in the coming weeks.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/crops\/grassland\/grass10\/\">For more tips and advice on grassland management, visit here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/protected-urea-continues-to-deliver-performance-across-multiple-sites\/\">Protected urea continues to deliver across multiple sites<\/a>","id":"190898","title":"5 practical tips for grass quality","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-09 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-09 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/suckler-cows-and-calves-grazing-white-clover-in-Grange-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-participant-in-the-Farm-manager-apprenticeship-measuring-grass.png","release_date":"2025-07-09","description":"The Farm Manager Apprenticeship is the gold standard for farm management and farm ownership training in Ireland. ","main_body":"The Farm Manager Apprenticeship is for anyone who wishes to pursue a managerial career in the agricultural sector or existing personnel employed on farms to progress with their existing educational qualifications.\r\n\r\nThe programme aims to equip trainee farmers with management skills to successfully run farm enterprises. This is an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn while gaining valuable experience on commercial farms to progress your career opportunities into farm management.\r\n<h2>About the programme<\/h2>\r\nThis is a two-year programme with 9 modules, developed in consultation with industry. As part of this programme, apprentices will engage in on-the-job training with a SOLAS approved employer. Off-the-job training will take place in a Teagasc centre and will also include visits to farms, industry and research locations. On completion of the programme, the apprentice will hold a nationally recognised <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qqi.ie\/\">QQI<\/a> Bachelor of Science in Professional Sustainable Farm Management (NFQ Level 7).\r\n\r\n<strong>You will:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Earn while you learn,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Gain a recognised qualification,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Develop knowledge, skills and competencies in Sustainable Farm Management Practices,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Undertake a diverse range of work on a commercial farm,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Work as part of a team,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Embark on a career in Farm Management.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/form.jotform.com\/251213824392352\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-190505\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Farm-Manager-Apprenticeship-Graphic.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"435\" \/><\/a>\r\n<h2>Programme content<\/h2>\r\nThrough the Farm Manager Apprenticeship, you will complete 9 industry-focused modules over 2 years as follows:\r\n\r\n<strong>Year 1 \/ Stage 1<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Farm Finance &amp; Strategic Management,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Health &amp; Safety Management,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sustainable &amp; Environmental Farm Management,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Farm Product Quality &amp; Operations Management.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Year 2 \/ Stage 2<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Manager Skills,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Economic Sustainability &amp; Labour Management,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Farm Infrastructure &amp; Regulations,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Climate Smart Farm Technologies,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Apprentice Project.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Entry requirements<\/h2>\r\nTo be eligible for this apprenticeship, an applicant must:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Be directly employed by a SOLAS approved Employer<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Farm Technician Apprenticeship qualification (Higher Certificate in Technical Farm Operations – NFQ Level 6)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong><em>Or<\/em><\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (or equivalent) Award<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong><em>Or<\/em><\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Anyone working in the agricultural sector must be 18year old or older working in the agricultural sector (2years full-time) with the relevant experience and equivalent educational experience (NFQ Level 6 or higher*) deemed acceptable by employer and consortium and subject to the validation of supporting evidence and\/or assessment process.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Employer information<\/h2>\r\nApprentices will be employed on commercial farms in Ireland in such enterprises as arable, cattle, dairy, pigs, poultry, sheep and sucklers.\r\n\r\nThe Employer pays the Apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship, including while attending training with Teagasc. The rate of pay is agreed between the Employer and the Apprentice, with the basic pay will be minimum wage.\r\n\r\nOff-the-job training will be undertaken at either Teagasc, Kildalton College or Teagasc, Animal &amp; Grassland Research Centre, Moorepark.\r\n\r\nThe cost of the apprenticeship is €1,375 per year of the programme.\r\n\r\n<strong>Employers are required to:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Be a SOLAS approved employer,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Nominate a workplace mentor,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Release the apprentice for the ‘off-the-job’ block release days,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pay the apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Further information on the Farm Manager Apprenticeship<\/h2>\r\nFor further information on the Farm Manager Apprenticeship, contact Marcella Phelan, National Apprenticeship Programme Co-ordinator at <a href=\"mailto:marcella.phelan@teagasc.ie\">marcella.phelan@teagasc.ie<\/a> or 051-644508, or contact Dr. Emma-Louise Coffey, Programme Co-Ordinator at <a href=\"mailto:emmalouise.coffey@teagasc.ie\">emmalouise.coffey@teagasc.ie<\/a> or phone 025-42706.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/form.jotform.com\/251213824392352\">To express your interest in the Farm Manager Apprenticeship, click here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\"><em>Note: Where there is a mathematics requirement at Leaving Certificate Established or Vocational Programme, obtaining a minimum grade O6\/H7 in Maths or a F2 in Foundation Maths, mature and international applicants may be required to demonstrate that they possess the required competency through the completion of a maths assessment. The programme is through the medium of English and it is highly desirable that the applicant will meet CEF Level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Language). Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. The certificate of the English language standard must have been issued within 2 years of the expected start of your course.<\/em><\/span>","id":"190501","title":"Earn while you learn with a Farm Manager Apprenticeship","category":"Farm Business","release_date_time":"2025-07-09 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-participant-in-the-Farm-manager-apprenticeship-measuring-grass.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Prevent-Burnout-and-Exhaustion-1-1024x683.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-08","description":"Dairy farmers have been called upon to reflect on their work-life balance, as a recent study undertaken by Dublin City University (DCU) and Teagasc has pointed to considerable sleep and burnout issues.","main_body":"This urging on work-life balance came from Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae, T.D., who was presented with the DCU\/Teagasc study research findings at the Moorepark Dairy Open Day on July 2.\r\n\r\nOf note from this research was that 24% of Irish farmers reported burnout, while 50% reported sleep issues. And, at Moorepark, Dr Siobhán O’Connor, DCU, highlighted that persistent poor sleep and burnout can lead to poor health and mental health issues, while Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, Dr John McNamara emphasised the close link between excessive workload and farm workplace injury levels.\r\n\r\nSpeaking at the launch of the research findings, Minister Healy-Rae said: “While farmers are under pressure, particularly during the busy spring period and at harvest, it is encouraging that this study found that by adopting more effective work organisation, workload can be reduced, leading to an enhanced and more sustainable lifestyle for dairy farmers and their families.”\r\n<h2>Working effectively for a better work-life balance<\/h2>\r\nSome of these practices were showcased in the Working Effectively Village at Moorepark. The People in Dairying Research Programme, which was managed by Dr Conor Hogan, Teagasc Research Officer, found that farms with more effective work organisation reported shorter working hours, more days off, and earlier finish times in spring compared to all other farms. These farmers also found it easier to attract and retain staff. The research revealed considerable scope to reduce workload and minimise farmer stress during the busy spring period.\r\n\r\nFarmers in the study identified five key areas that can save time or cause hardship during spring, namely: calf management, workforce planning, weather, animal health, and work organisation. Earlier evening milking was a key practice to reduce total working hours, while early planning, smart investments, and initiative-taking workforce sourcing helped reduce stress and save time during the calving season.\r\n\r\nMinister Healy-Rae added: “Practical measures which contribute to improving farmers’ work-life balance are essential for safe and productive farming. After a hard day’s work, it is important that there is time for family life and interests outside the farm gate. Research also shows that by planning and managing the workload, the risk of a safety incident is reduced.”\r\n\r\nThe booklet for the dairy open day, which was sponsored by FBD Insurance, includes information on farmer health and safety and work organisation. <a href=\"ttps:\/\/teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">The Moorepark 2025 Open Day booklet (PDF) is available to download here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<em>Photo caption: Pictured (LtoR); Dr John McNamara, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist Advisor, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae, T.D; Dr Siobhán O’Connor, DCU, and Dr Stan Lalor, Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer.<\/em>","id":"190637","title":"Dairy farmers urged to focus on work-life balance","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Prevent-Burnout-and-Exhaustion-1-scaled-e1751985756819.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DE070725v2B-1024x576.png","release_date":"2025-07-08","description":"Emma Dillon, Economist and Senior Research Officer with the National Farm Survey joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the recently published preliminary results for the 2024 survey.","main_body":"Emma Dillon, Economist and Senior Research Officer with the National Farm Survey joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the recently published preliminary results for the 2024 survey.\r\n\r\nHow the survey works and how a representation is drawn of the dairy farms across the country from the 300 or so dairy farms that supply data to the survey is outlined. Additionally, survey adjustments to ensure it continues to be representative of the farming population is discussed.\r\n\r\nEmma discusses the headline figure that gets reported, outlining what has to come out of that for the farmer themselves and that it isn’t the same as the annual take home pay of a salaried employee.\r\n\r\nThe survey found, that despite a poor start to the production season, dairy farm incomes more than doubled in 2024, rising by 113% to an average of €108,200. The recovery in dairy incomes in 2024 was driven by much improved milk prices and favourable grazing conditions from mid-year onwards which boosted production later in the year.\r\n\r\nIn addition, input costs, such as feed and fertiliser, eased slightly relative to 2023, as did overhead costs. The strength of the income recovery is a reminder that Irish dairy farm incomes are highly sensitive to milk price movements in successive years, a factor over which dairy farmers have no control.\r\n\r\nThe increase in production costs and the shift in milk prices that has helped insulate farmers is outlined, while Emma looks at a number of ‘sticky costs’ that all farmers need to be conscious of to reduce their exposure to price volatility in future years.\r\n\r\nFinally, Emma talks about structural change that is important for the industry and how this will need to be assisted through funding for generational renewal from the perspective of both the new entrant or young farmer and the older generation that also need security as they step back from their careers in farming.\r\n\r\n<strong>For full insights, listen to the Dairy Edge podcast below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/351be099\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/NFS-Preliminary-Report-2024.pdf\">The National Farm Survey Preliminary Results 2024 are available to read here (PDF).<\/a>\r\n\r\nA co-production with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastcastmedia.com\/\">LastCastMedia.com<\/a>, more episodes are available on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/the-dairy-edge-podcast\/\">the Dairy Edge podcast show page<\/a>.","id":"190326","title":"Dairy Edge: The National Farm Survey Preliminary Results 2024","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DE070725v2B-e1751961713870.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Contract-rearing-book-launch-2025.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-08","description":"Seeking a contract rearer for your replacement heifers or thinking about diversifying your farm business to include a contract rearing enterprise? Then a new Teagasc publication ‘Guidelines to Contract Rearing’ will be of interest to you.","main_body":"The guide, which aims to make contract rearing a ‘win-win’ for both parties, shares key insights for the successful operation of livestock rearing arrangements.\r\n\r\nCovering topics such as the impact of whole farm stocking rate, the contract agreement, animal performance targets, grass growth requirements, cost structure and disease control, it features a number of case studies, shedding light on the key aspects for both dairy farmers and contract rearers to consider.\r\n\r\nFrom the dairy farmer’s perspective, having the heifers contract reared simplifies the system, allowing more time to be allocated to managing the cows. Whereas from the rearer’s perspective, advantages include removing the risks associated with volatile markets, better cash flow, no investment in livestock required and it can often complement existing farm enterprises.\r\n\r\nSpeaking on its growing importance, Collaborative Farming Specialist at Teagasc, Ruth Fennell said: “Due to dairy herd expansion, reduced stocking limits for derogation farmers, and reductions in leased land availability, demand for contract rearing has grown. Recent ICBF data estimates over 780 dairy farmers rear heifers under contract, with a similar number providing rearing services.”\r\n\r\nOutlining what’s typically involved, she added: “Contract rearing involves the movement of livestock from the owner’s farm to be raised by another farmer. Typically, replacement heifers leave the dairy farm to be reared on a drystock farm, then return in-calf and ready for milk production.”\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/publications\/guidelines-to-contract-rearing\/\">For further insights, download the ‘Guidelines to Contract Rearing’ book here<\/a>. Alternatively, the publication will be available to pick up from your local Teagasc office.\r\n<h2>Other supports<\/h2>\r\nTeagasc has advisors within each of its advisory regions that are assigned the role of providing support and technical advice to those considering and operating under contract rearing arrangements.  Many of these advisors also have discussion groups specifically established for those involved. Contact your local Teagasc office for more information.","id":"190071","title":"Contract rearing &#8211; all you need to know","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Contract-rearing-book-launch-2025.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Charolais-store-cattle-using-a-green-feed-machine.png","release_date":"2025-07-08","description":"Accounting for 75% of Irish agricultural related greenhouse gas emissions, Dr. Paul Smith, a Research Officer based in Teagasc Grange, brings us up to date with Teagasc’s ongoing research in the area of methane and methane suppressing feed additives.","main_body":"The microbial ecosystem residing in the rumen or forestomach of the ruminant animal facilitates the conversion of human inedible plant matter into high-quality sources of meat and dairy protein.\r\n\r\nHowever, this digestive process results in the production of methane as a metabolic byproduct during the microbial fermentation of ingested feed.\r\n\r\nMethane is the second most important greenhouse gas (GHG), after carbon dioxide, and accounts for 75% of Irish agricultural related GHG emissions, the vast majority of which is enterically produced in the rumen.\r\n\r\nBoth the quantity, and quality, of the feed consumed by ruminant livestock is the predominant contributor to the volume of methane emitted by an animal. Simply put, as an animal’s level of feed intake increases, more feed is fermented in the rumen, which increases the supply of energy and protein to the animal but also elevates the supply of substrates to methanogens (microbes that produce methane), leading to an increased synthesis of enteric methane.\r\n<h2>A promising mitigation strategy<\/h2>\r\nBased on work conducted by Teagasc Grange, across various diets, including intensive finishing rations and forage-based diets, and animal types, beef cattle have been shown to produce 22-27 g of methane for every kg of dry matter (DM) intake. Reducing the quantity of methane emitted by ruminant livestock will be pivotal to achieving a 25% reduction in Irish agricultural GHG emissions by 2030.\r\n<h3>Methane suppressing feed additives - do they have role?<\/h3>\r\nThe addition of methane suppressing feed additives to the diet offered to ruminants has been identified as a promising GHG mitigation strategy for the sector, with the potential to reduce national GHG emissions by 0.79 Mt of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2<\/sub>) equivalents (eq).\r\n\r\nOver the last decade, Teagasc has extensively investigated a variety of different methane inhibitors, including seaweeds, microbial probiotics, oils and by-products from the grain industry as well as commercial or near market ready synthetic compounds.\r\n\r\nAt Teagasc Grange, a dedicated <em>in-vitro<\/em> lab has been established to provide an initial lab-based screening of potentially promising feed additives. Following this, the best performing additives are then evaluated in animal-based research trials.\r\n\r\nAlong with investigating their effect on methane emissions, the impact of all feed additives on animal performance (feed intake, growth, milk yield) as well as health and welfare is thoroughly investigated. Based on research to date, methane emissions reductions of up to 30%, in absence of any negatives to animal productivity, have been observed in some Teagasc studies conducted on housed cattle.\r\n\r\nIndeed, while promising, the delivery of methane suppressing feed additives to pasture-based livestock is still a challenge. With this said, research is currently underway within Teagasc to develop cost-effective strategies for administering feed additives to grazing livestock.\r\n\r\n<strong>In this short video, <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/staff-directory\/paul-smith\/\">Dr. Paul Smith<\/a>, Beef Research Officer at Teagasc Grange, gives an overview of some of research on methane supressing feed additives conducted at Teagasc:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/73XDU6d2-4k?si=foffxvqEB3REHsId\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/environment\/climate-centre\/publications\/scientific-publications\/\">Links to Teagasc lead peer-reviewed published research in this area can be found here<\/a>.","id":"190358","title":"Methane suppressing feed additives – Teagasc’s ongoing research","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Charolais-store-cattle-using-a-green-feed-machine.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DairyBeef-500-participants-Charlie-and-Charles-Smyth.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-08","description":"In advance of a major farm walk this week, DairyBeef 500 Advisor, Fergal Maguire talks us through Charlie Smyth’s dairy beef system in Co. Cavan, identifying five key changes that have improved farm profitability and sustainability.","main_body":"In April 2021, Charlie Smyth joined the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign. As a demonstration farmer, his role is to promote and showcase a dairy calf-to-beef system that is socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. While Charlie’s system was already operating at a good level of efficiency, a new farm plan was designed to focus on five key areas where improvements could significantly enhance both profitability and long-term sustainability.\r\n<h2>1). Reducing age at slaughter<\/h2>\r\nOne of the primary focus areas was to reduce the age at slaughter. In 2021, steers were finished at an average age of 27 months. By 2024, that had been reduced to exactly 24 months - a three-month improvement. This reduction came with only a minor decrease of 4kg in carcass weight, while delivering significant savings on feed and housing costs by shortening the finishing period.\r\n<h2>2). Buying better beef genetics<\/h2>\r\nFinishing steers at less than 24 months required better beef genetics on farm. Prior to joining the DairyBeef 500 Campaign, purchased calves often had poor beef traits, which affected performance at finishing. Today, whether buying Friesian or beef-sired calves, Charlie prioritises animals with strong beef genetics and high Commercial Beef Values (CBV), with a firm emphasis on quality over price.\r\n<h2>3). Improving grass utilisation<\/h2>\r\nGrass utilisation has also been a major focus. A new paddock system has been installed, complete with centralised water troughs and temporary fencing, enabling a flexible rotational grazing system. Cattle are now typically moved every three days. Previously, cattle could remain in the same paddock for over a week, negatively impacting both animal performance and grass regrowth.\r\n\r\nCharlie’s goal is to have animals close to 500kg by October 1<sup>st<\/sup>. Achieving this liveweight target pre-housing reduces the need for concentrates during the winter finishing period.\r\n<h2>4). Adjusting the system to suit housing capacity<\/h2>\r\nAs overall efficiency improved, Charlie increased calf numbers. However, this put pressure on winter housing, especially within a 24-month Friesian system. Without a standalone calf shed, calves were reared in the weanling shed - a system that became limiting as numbers grew.\r\n\r\nTo address this, 50% of the calves purchased now are early-maturing heifers, which can be finished and sold by the end of November. This change frees up valuable housing space and allowed calf numbers to increase without the need for new housing infrastructure.\r\n<h2>5). Disease prevention through vaccination<\/h2>\r\nWith more calves on the farm, the risk of respiratory disease also increased. To address this, a robust pneumonia vaccination programme was introduced. Calves receive an injectable pneumonia vaccine and an intranasal IBR dose two days after arrival, followed by a booster a month later, and a final booster one month prior to housing in autumn. As a result, calf mortality has remained below 1% for the past three years.\r\n\r\n<strong>For further insights, listen into the Beef Edge podcast below, where Charlie Smyth joined podcast host, Catherine Egan to give an overview of his system:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/1d4ed313\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n<h2>See the system in action<\/h2>\r\nCharlie and his father Charles Smyth will host a <strong>Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Farm Walk<\/strong> on their farm near Virginia, Co. Cavan (Eircode A82 DA00) on <strong>Thursday evening, 10<sup>th<\/sup> July at 7:00 PM<\/strong>. The event offers a valuable opportunity for anyone involved or interested in dairy calf-to-beef systems to see firsthand how a simple, streamlined approach - from calf rearing to beef finishing - can be labour-efficient and highly profitable.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/event\/dairybeef-500-smyth-php\/\">Find out more about Charlie Smyth’s DairyBeef 500 Farm Walk here<\/a>.","id":"189892","title":"5 key changes on Charlie Smyth’s DairyBeef 500 farm","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-08 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DairyBeef-500-participants-Charlie-and-Charles-Smyth.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Signpost-Series-podcast.webp","release_date":"2025-07-07","description":"Dr. Bridget Lynch, Teagasc Research Officer, and Dr. Richie Hackett, Crops Research Officer at Teagasc, joined Cathal Somers on the latest podcast version of the Signpost Series to discuss the vital role of catch crops.","main_body":"<strong>Listen to the podcast version of the Signpost series webinar below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/ac39b862\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nA questions and answers session took place at the end of the webinar which was facilitated by Teagasc’s Shay Phelan.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/corporate-events\/sustainable-agriculture-webinars\/\">Click here to register for future Signpost Series webinars<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/signpostpodcast\/\">More podcasts from the Signpost Series are available here<\/a>.","id":"190042","title":"Listen: The vital role of catch crops","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Signpost-Series-podcast.webp"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-new-shed-constructured-within-a-farmyard.png","release_date":"2025-07-07","description":"As infrastructure investment costs have increased dramatically, Dairy Specialist, Patrick Gowing reminds us of the importance of proper yard planning to future proof your investments.","main_body":"Over the last number of years, the cost of investing in farm buildings has increased dramatically. In 2017, for example, we typically would have said a slatted cubicle shed would cost ~ €1,700\/cow space ex VAT. In 2025, the cost of the same development has increased to €3,500\/cow space ex VAT.\r\n\r\nGiven the level of capital it requires, if you are planning on any investment on your farm, it is very important to plan the yard properly and future proof it going forward.\r\n<h2>Designing your farmyard<\/h2>\r\nMost farmyards have developed over time, with a new feature added typically every other year. Often times these are added without consideration for the overall flow and design of the yard.\r\n\r\nNow is the time to step back and have a hard look at your yard, as there are many aspects we have to take into consideration. However, if you design it right, it will minimise soiled water issues, reduce labour and improve lameness in the herd.\r\n\r\nYour farmyard should always be designed with a larger herd in mind. It doesn’t cost anything to leave space behind a shed for potential future development - even if the herd never grows.\r\n\r\nBased on this, Teagasc has developed some design principles you should consider when planning your yard. Teagasc will also be holding a series of farmyard design events across the country, starting in July this year, highlighting best practice in farmyard design.\r\n\r\n<strong>Figure 1: Flows within the farmyard<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-189953\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Designing-a-farm-yard.png\" alt=\"An infographic showing the correct flows needed within a farmyard\" width=\"602\" height=\"453\" \/>\r\n<h2>Design principles:<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Main movements on a dairy farm are milk lorry, cow movement and machinery. They should not cross over – allow each to operate individually.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Allow for future expansion. Develop the farm in streets rather than courtyards.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Locate silage and other feed storage facilities close to the feeding area.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Do not locate silage pits or drystock housing between cow wintering unit and milking shed.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Locate the exit from the main housing in close proximity to the holding yard entry (5-10m) to reduce movements across open yards.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Separation of soiled water, clean water and slurry.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Calving boxes associated with cubicle shed and close proximity to the milking parlour.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Minimise turns from paddock to holding yard entry. Plan for 3 turns maximum and use bends rather than 90 degree turns on farm roadways.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Face open-sided sheds towards sheltered side, as 70% of wind\/rain comes from southwest.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Locate cattle crush and holding pen adjacent to the milking parlour and winter accommodation.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Have an appropriately sized handling facility with good animal access.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Allow for expansion of milking facilities, winter accommodation and slurry storage.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Divert surface runoff from higher ground and divert roof water to clean drains.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/rural-economy\/farm-management\/farm-buildings\/events\/\">Details of the Teagasc Farmyard design events will be available here shortly<\/a>.","id":"189952","title":"Farmyard layout – ‘Good design fixes all problems’","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-new-shed-constructured-within-a-farmyard.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/flies-present-on-a-cows-teat-a-cause-of-summer-mastitis.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-07","description":"Summer mastitis is normally associated with dry cows and heifers in the summer months (late June-mid September). ","main_body":"In the last week, conditions became more humid, fly numbers are on the rise, so the risk of summer mastitis has increased.\r\n\r\nThere is no doubt that it has a higher prevalence in some years and under certain conditions. Apart from animals getting very sick, the potential loss of a quarter, if the animals temperature gets high enough in calf autumn calvers may even abort their calf.\r\n\r\nIt is caused by a combination of bacteria that work together to give rise to the condition. The main ones are <em>S. dysgalactiae, Peptostreptococcus indolicus<\/em> and <em>Acranobacterium pyogenes<\/em>. It is thought to be spread by insects namely the sheep headfly.\r\n\r\nGrazing  susceptible animals in fields that are damp with high hedges or near wooded areas can increase the incidence during mild humid weather.\r\n<h2>Symptoms<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Swelling of the teat and infected quarter<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Frequent kicking as large numbers of flies gather around the teat tip causing irritation to the animal<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Animals often lie away from the group and will spend more time lying<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Once on their feet they can show stiffness in the back legs and are reluctant to walk<\/li>\r\n \t<li>As the condition progresses you can see noticeable weight loss<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If checked they will often have a high temperature and they run the risk of aborting if they are in calf or are left untreated<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In severe cases it can be fatal<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The infected quarter can often eventually burst and the discharge is yellow in colour and foul smelling.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Treatment<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Will often depend on how advanced the condition is.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mild cases will be treated with antibiotics and possible use of intramammary tubes<\/li>\r\n \t<li>More severe cases will also need a course of anti- inflammatory drugs(non steroidal)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In all cases the affected quarter needs to by frequently stripped out to reduce toxin build up<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Some vets will opt to amputate the teat to allow it to drain freely<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Affected animals should be isolated from the group<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Prevention and control<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Dry cows should be thoroughly herded at least once a day during the high risk periods. That means going into the field walking through all the cows, any cows lying or away from the group should be got up and udders inspected for any signs of swelling or stiffness when they move.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dry cows that are being fattened off grass will also be at risk. If at all possible it is worth considering having these cows fit for slaughter as early in the summer as you can when the risk period is lower. Fat cows that get summer mastitis will have to be retained longer as they will often lose condition and if they need antibiotic treatment you will have to observe the withdrawal period.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Your choice of field for dry cows is important as some fields will suit flies more than others.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Fields that are open, dry and kept well topped will reduce the habitat where flies can thrive and so reduce the risk.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Some vets may recommend tubing cows at drying off and to tube susceptible pregnant heifers but with the drive to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) this may be a lesser favoured option. In any case if you decide to use intramammary tubes then good hygiene is crucial. Teats should be swabbed pre and post treatment with surgical spirits. The last thing you want to do is to introduce dirt or damage the teat opening or teat canal. Always remember the safety risk when trying to tube cows.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Teat seals have also been used to prevent flies from introducing infection through the teat opening. They are usually alcohol based that and give a thin polyurethane covering over the teat. They can be applied by dipping the teat in the solution.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Application of Stockholm tar around the teats and udder at least once a week will help to deter flies but it must be frequently applied to be effective.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Fly repellents are also used in conjunction with some of the other preventative methods. These usually contain synthetic pyrethroids and will come in the form of a pour-on or in a tag (flectron) that is put into the animals ear. The frequency with which the pour-on is used will depend on the product used.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In Scotland farmers that have experienced problems will also make garlic licks available to stock to try and deter flies.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In reality you may have to use a combination of techniques to reduce the incidence on your farm.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/animalhealthireland.ie\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AHI_Monthly_Newsletter_July_2024_FINAL-_CCK_Bulletin.pdf\">For more on summer mastitis, visit the Animal Health Ireland (AHI) website<\/a>.","id":"189833","title":"Be vigilant of summer mastitis","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/flies-present-on-a-cows-teat-a-cause-of-summer-mastitis.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/suckler-calves-at-grange.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-07","description":"Cattle farmers, whether suckler or dairy, have been given another opportunity to join the National Genotyping Programme.","main_body":"According to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), farmers who sign up can avail of labour and timing savings, along with facilitating safer practice, by enrolling in the National Genotyping Programme (NGP). These benefits include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Exclusive access to new double tissue tags so that all of your calves can be DNA sampled at birth.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>No more sampling with button tags – labour saving<\/li>\r\n \t<li>No more waiting for tags to arrive or rounding up of animals for tagging – time saving<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Much safer tagging newborn calves as opposed to older animals – safer practice<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAdditionally, by participating in the NGP, the ICBF explains, all calves will be fully parentage verified before registration, and animals will receive genomic evaluations soon after birth, facilitating the availability of <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/what-is-the-commercial-beef-value-cbv-and-where-can-it-be-found\/\">Commercial Beef Values<\/a> (CBVs) for calves, weanlings or store cattle at the point of sale.\r\n\r\nKey benefits of the DNA registration will be parentage and sex verification. It will be of great benefit to farmers from an admin point of view, as it will eliminate paperwork required to correct registration errors that can occur during the extremely busy spring period.\r\n\r\nFurther benefits will include higher reliability data, thus allowing the truly best animals (verified rather than assumed) to be used as the source of the next generation of replacements. The potential to identify the best and worst performers in the herd for milk production, fertility, health and carbon will play a significant role in driving the industry forward and will be of great benefit to farmers who will be able to put their best team on the pitch by virtue of all this information.\r\n<h2>What’s involved?<\/h2>\r\nFor new herds signing up in 2025, the ICBF explains, the programme will run from 2025-2027. From January 2026-2027, you would be registering your calves electronically, using the DNA registration process. This will mean taking a tissue sample from the calf at birth, posting to the relevant lab and recording the calves’ information online via Agfood.ie or using a farm software package. Once the DNA results are returned to ICBF, you will complete the registration online and a passport (blue card) will be issued.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icbf.com\/scep-herds-encouraged-to-sign-up-to-the-national-genotyping-programme-2\/\">For more information, including the costs involved and details on how to sign up to the National Genotyping Programme, visit the ICBF webpage here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nMore from Teagasc Daily: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/what-is-the-commercial-beef-value-cbv-and-where-can-it-be-found\/\">What is the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) and where can it be found<\/a>","id":"189827","title":"Have you signed up to the National Genotyping Programme?","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/suckler-calves-at-grange.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cows-walking-out-of-a-parlour-AHI-video.png","release_date":"2025-07-07","description":"Lameness is one of the most pressing health and welfare challenges facing Irish dairy farms. To coincide with Animal Health Ireland's (AHI) new video series to tackle lameness, Eoin Ryan, School of Veterinary Medicine, UCD), and Stephanie Ronan, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, explore why lameness matters not just for animal welfare, but also for farm productivity, sustainability and public trust.","main_body":"<h2>What is lameness?<\/h2>\r\nLameness is a clinical sign of pain, usually involving one or more limbs. In dairy cows, it affects walking ability, behaviour and comfort. Lameness can be caused by either non-infectious or infectious lesions.\r\n\r\nNon-infectious causes include sole bruising, sole ulcers, white line disease and foot abscesses. These are often linked to risk factors like rough or uneven roadways, long walking distances, high stocking densities, inadequate cubicle design, or body condition loss around calving.\r\n\r\nInfectious causes include digital dermatitis (Mortellaro), foul-in-the-foot, and slurry heel. These conditions thrive in wet, dirty environments and are more likely in herds where slurry builds up in housing or on roadways.\r\n<h2>A widespread issue<\/h2>\r\nRecent Teagasc research found that approximately 1 in 10 Irish dairy cows is lame at any one time, with levels rising to over 30% in some herds. The top 20% of Irish herds maintain lameness prevalence below 5%.\r\n<h2>Why does it matter?<\/h2>\r\nLameness is first and foremost a welfare issue. It causes pain, restricts natural behaviour and makes it harder for cows to access feed and water. It also has major economic impacts. Lame cows eat less, lose condition, produce less milk and are more likely to have fertility issues. A lameness prevalence of 10% in a 100-cow herd costs an estimated €8,570 per year (€85.70 per cow), due to treatment costs, reduced production, and increased culling.\r\n\r\nSustainability is also affected. Lame cows have shorter productive lifespans, meaning more replacements are needed to maintain milk output, increasing the carbon footprint per litre of milk. Additionally, antibiotics are often needed to treat infectious lameness, making it harder for farms to reduce usage and prevent resistance.\r\n<h2>Monitoring and recording<\/h2>\r\nEarly detection is key. Regular mobility scoring using the AHDB system helps farmers identify cows showing signs of impaired mobility (score 2 or 3) and intervene early.\r\n\r\nLameness can be recorded through the ICBF website or by text. Keeping good records helps track trends, manage treatments, and support better breeding decisions, as cows genetically predisposed to lameness are 44% more likely to be affected.\r\n<h2>What can farmers do?<\/h2>\r\nReducing lameness involves addressing both infectious and non-infectious causes:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Improve infrastructure<\/strong>: Maintain smooth, clean walking surfaces and avoid sharp turns.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Hoof care<\/strong>: Carry out routine foot trimming.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Nutrition<\/strong>: Minimise post-calving condition loss.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Environmental hygiene<\/strong>: Regular slurry removal and effective foot bathing.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Biosecurity<\/strong>: Avoid bringing in infectious agents via carrier animals.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Have a lameness management plan<\/strong>: Set clear goals, carry out regular risk assessments, and take prompt action when lame cows are identified.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Learn more<\/h2>\r\nThe full video ‘An Introduction to dairy cow lameness’ is available to watch below:\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g6FklKnM270?si=ThKQi5Qa_jjHK3Bt\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nThis article is the first in a five-part series aimed at helping farmers tackle lameness through practical, evidence-based solutions.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/animalhealthireland.ie\/\">For more information, visit the Animal Health Ireland (AHI) website<\/a>.\r\n\r\nMore from Teagasc Daily: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/tackling-lameness-new-video-series-launched\/\">Tackling lameness: New video series launched<\/a>","id":"187598","title":"Why dairy cow lameness matters","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cows-walking-out-of-a-parlour-AHI-video.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/reseeding.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-06","description":"Surplus grass on farms mean farmers may have an opportunity to reseed, but what’s the latest research from Moorepark saying on selecting grass varieties?","main_body":"Regular reseeding enables farmers to produce higher yields of better-quality pasture on farms, which boosts feed self-sufficiency and enhances the sustainability of their farms.\r\n\r\nWhen deciding which perennial ryegrass varieties to sow during reseeding, the Pasture Profit Index (PPI) is used as a variety selection tool. The PPI outlines, in economic terms, the agronomic differences between varieties for traits that influence the profitability of ruminant production systems.\r\n<h2>Using the PPI<\/h2>\r\nThe 2025 PPI list is displayed in Table 1. Performance data for each variety is collected and evaluated through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List trials, conducted at five locations across Ireland.\r\n\r\nVarieties are ranked based on their total PPI value which is calculated by adding its performance in each of the traits that make up the PPI. These sub-indices (and their relative emphasis within the PPI) are spring (19%), summer (6%) and autumn (8%) dry matter (DM) production, mid-season quality (measured as DM digestibility; 25%), silage DM yield (13%) and persistency (29%).\r\n\r\nFor 2025, Galgorm is the top-ranked variety, with a PPI value of €263 - a €10 increase over the top variety in 2024. The higher the € value for a trait, the greater the variety’s performance.\r\n\r\nCognisance should be taken of a variety’s strengths and weaknesses as indicated by the PPI. The grazing utilisation sub-index does not contain € values but ranks varieties on a scale of one to five stars, with five stars indicating the highest grazing efficiency.\r\n<h2>Choosing varieties through the PPI<\/h2>\r\nUsing the PPI allows farmers to choose varieties that deliver the best return on investment when reseeding. Focusing on the individual traits helps tailor seed mixtures to suit specific systems.\r\n\r\nWhen choosing varieties for intensively grazed paddocks on the milking platform, those performing strongly in the grazing utilisation, quality and spring\/autumn DM subindices should be selected.\r\n\r\nVariety selection for paddocks destined for regular intensive silage harvesting would benefit from prioritising the silage and spring yield traits.\r\n\r\nPaddocks located on the grazing platform but destined to be closed for silage should aim to combine high silage and utilisation traits.\r\n\r\nResearch has shown that the performance of a seed mixture can be accurately predicted by averaging the trait values of the individual varieties included in the seed mixture.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 1: 2025 Pasture Profit Index<\/strong>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 66.8357%; height: 888px;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 45.7263%; height: 24px; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"8\"><strong>PPI values €\/ha per year<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Total<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 40.2882%; height: 24px; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"7\"><strong>Sub-indices<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Variety<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Ploidy<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Heading date<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\"><strong>PPI<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Spring<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Summer<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Autumn<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Quality<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Silage<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Persistency<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\"><strong>Utilisation<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Galgorm<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">263<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">61<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">70<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">59<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">47<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">**<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Aberspey<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">238<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">27<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">59<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">52<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">65<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">34<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Barwave<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">236<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">109<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">52<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">46<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">-19<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">48<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Tollymore<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">229<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">56<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">53<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">36<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">21<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">69<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">-6<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Aberclyde<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">226<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">39<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">64<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">34<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">44<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">45<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Abersevern<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">226<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">1<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">80<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">66<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">46<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">31<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Abergain<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">214<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">56<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">38<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">48<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">46<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Gracehill<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">204<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">38<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">53<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">50<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">11<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">52<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">**<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Abermagic<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">195<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">23<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">61<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">65<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">18<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">27<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">***<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Nashota<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">190<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">46<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">52<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">26<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">28<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">38<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Ballintoy<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">187<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">39<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">54<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">37<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">24<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">33<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Aberwolf<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">184<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">44<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">53<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">38<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">11<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">38<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">**<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Aberplentiful<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">183<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">51<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">59<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">39<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">11<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">29<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">***<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Astonconqueror<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">182<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">65<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">50<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">34<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">-10<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">42<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Moira<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">178<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">95<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">35<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">44<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">-32<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">35<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">***<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Aberchoice<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">175<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">6<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">64<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">48<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">22<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">34<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">**<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Fintona<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">172<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">42<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">49<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">37<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">-4<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">47<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Anurad<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">171<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">46<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">48<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">29<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">31<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">21<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">-6<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">***<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Aberbann<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">169<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">-4<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">77<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">64<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">-25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">56<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Abergreen<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">169<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">29<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">65<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">58<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">5<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">12<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Meiduno<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">168<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">43<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">51<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">35<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">17<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">22<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Glenfield<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">165<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">36<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">57<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">30<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">4<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">38<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Dunluce<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Inter<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">165<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">17<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">54<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">40<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">24<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">35<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">-6<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Ballyvoy<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">157<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">55<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">38<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">34<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">19<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">11<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Bowie<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">150<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">4<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">47<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">41<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">29<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">29<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Astonenergy<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">140<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">2<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">43<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">32<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">50<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">13<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Aberbite<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">136<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">-9<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">53<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">42<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">33<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">39<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">-22<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Briant<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">135<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">3<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">54<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">34<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">13<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">31<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">***<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Oakpark<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">132<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">49<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">40<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">-11<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">28<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Drumbo<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">125<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">15<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">39<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">30<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">16<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Astonking<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">D<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">124<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">54<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">47<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">26<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">-25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">22<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">***<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Xenon<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">121<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">5<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">42<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">22<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">30<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">22<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Triwarwic<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">120<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">12<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">49<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">18<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">7<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">34<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 24px;\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.42433%; height: 24px;\">Aspect<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 4.85883%; height: 24px;\">T<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.5518%; height: 24px;\">Late<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.43809%; height: 24px;\">115<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.01737%; height: 24px;\">4<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.52423%; height: 24px;\">46<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 7.17599%; height: 24px;\">18<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.37942%; height: 24px;\">28<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 3.02064%; height: 24px;\">24<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.6309%; height: 24px;\">-6<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.53969%; height: 24px;\">*****<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nThe above was adapted for use on Teagasc Daily from the paper titled: Pasture Profit Index 2025, authored by Tomás Tubritt, Noirín McHugh, Sarah Walsh and Michael O’Donovan.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">For more insights from the Moorepark Open Day, visit here<\/a>.","id":"185793","title":"Use the Pasture Profit Index when reseeding","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-06 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/reseeding.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Moorepark-solar-launch.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-06","description":"A new guide, jointly authored by Teagasc and Munster Technological University (MTU), offers dairy farmers practical insights into cutting energy bills and lowering emissions through solar power.","main_body":"Dairy farms are particularly well-suited for solar PV due to their consistent electricity demand throughout the year. The energy-intensive nature of milking parlours, milk cooling systems and water heating makes the self-consumption of solar power highly beneficial.\r\n\r\nThe <em>Solar Energy Guide for Dairy Farms<\/em>, launched at this week’s Moorepark Open Day by Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, provides a practical and up-to-date overview of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology for dairy farms, covering how PV systems work, installation considerations, planning requirements and the financial supports available.\r\n\r\nThe guide provides clear, evidence-based information on how to assess, install and benefit from these systems. The publications also answers common questions on system design, planning permission, battery storage and grants. It includes up-to-date details on the 60% TAMS grant, export tariffs, and the new Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS). It also highlights a free online tool, FaRMOT, developed by MTU and Teagasc, to help farmers optimise energy savings.\r\n\r\nSpeaking at the Moorepark’25 Open Day, the lead author, Dr John Upton of Teagasc said: “This guide will help farmers make confident, informed decisions. Solar PV is no longer just a green option; it is a smart investment that supports farm resilience.”\r\n\r\nBeyond financial savings, solar PV contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a 26 kWp system on a dairy farm can offset approximately 7.5 tonnes of CO<sub>2<\/sub> annually, demonstrating the role of renewables in achieving climate targets.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/publications\/a-solar-energy-guide-for-dairy-farms\/\">‘A Solar Energy Guide for Dairy Farms’ (PDF) is available to download here<\/a>.","id":"185640","title":"All dairy farmers need to know about solar","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-06 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Moorepark-solar-launch.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harvesting-Winter-Barley-OP-featured.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-06","description":"Health and Safety Authority (HSA) figures tell us that 17 children lost their lives due to farm related accidents between 2014-2023. Over 90% of cases involved a farm vehicle or machine. Through a recent Today’s Farm article, Jacinta O’Neill shares some tips to prevent such accidents occurring.","main_body":"The HSA has a clear and valuable set of guidelines on how to protect children from the potential risks of farm machinery:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Only carry children in a machinery cab if it is absolutely essential. The cab must be fitted with a properly designed and fitted passenger with seat belts.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Children under seven should not be allowed in the cab of a tractor or other farm machinery, even with a passenger seat. This is a legal requirement.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discuss farm safety with visitors and agricultural contractors and make contractors aware of any possibility of children being present.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>It is important to talk to children about the dangers of machinery and set rules. But a child cannot be expected to keep themselves safe. This is an adult’s responsibility.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Park your tractor, or any vehicle, to ensure forward movement when you next drive off. Visibility is always best when driving forward.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Check blind spots for people, especially children, before moving off.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Adults and children tend to move to the back window of a tractor to attempt to communicate with the driver but on many tragic occasions, the driver reversed without seeing them.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Always be aware of the possible presence of children along roads, around schools, villages and towns and travel at a speed that provides time for a safe controlled stop.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Never allow children to travel on trailers, transport boxes or machines. The risk of falling off is very high and the consequences can be devastating.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Safe driving for teenagers<\/h2>\r\nChildren can be very interested in tractors and self-propelled machines, but they are not permitted to drive them. The HSA states state that children 14 and over may be permitted to drive a tractor or self-propelled machine on the farm if:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>They have attended a recognised training course.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>They are closely supervised by a responsible adult.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>They have the ability to operate the controls with ease.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>All the controls are conveniently accessible for safe operation by the operator when seated in the driver’s seat.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The controls which operate the power take off (PTO) devices, hydraulic devices and engine cut-off are clearly marked to show the effect of their operation,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The tractor is well maintained,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The ground over which the tractor is to be driven is free from hazards such as steep slopes or excavations, river banks, lake or pond edges, deep ditches and similar areas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Risk assessment<\/h2>\r\nEvery farmer with three or fewer employees must complete a farm safety risk assessment document. To find out more, please contact your local Teagasc office. You may also decide to register to attend a half day Farm Safety Course which will help you develop a plan focused on managing safety on your farm.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/publications\/todays-farm-mayjune-2025-php\/\">The above article first appeared in a recent edition of Today’s Farm, access the full publication here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/hsa.ie\/eng\/\">Find out more about the Health and Safety Authority here<\/a>.\r\n<h2>Little leaders with big messages in farm safety art competition<\/h2>\r\nA pioneering initiative by Teagasc which blended digital learning and creativity to promote farm safety among children took place on, Thursday, 19<sup>th<\/sup> June 2025.\r\n\r\nThe Stay Safe with Jessy Farm Safety Campaign consisted of an online webinar and art competition for primary school children, which brought together creativity and learning around farm safety for young artists, their educators and their families across the country.\r\n\r\nOver 1,300 children submitted artwork in response to the competition, showcasing a huge variety of styles and impactful farm safety messages through drawings, paintings, and slogans.\r\n\r\n<strong>View a recording of the webinar here:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8FINCDEwuHQ?si=9rKE76-E7EV2-m9k\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>","id":"185463","title":"Farm Safety: Preventing tragedy on the farm","category":"Other","release_date_time":"2025-07-06 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Harvesting-Winter-Barley-OP-featured.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DEGrass10LogoJohnMaher-1024x1024.png","release_date":"2025-07-05","description":"For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses current grazing advice as some farms are coming into a surplus in grass supply while others, particularly on the southern coast, are tight on grass supply. ","main_body":"John also reviews where fertiliser nitrogen use is at and what should be left for the rest of the grazing season, plus there is a grazing update from Enda Armstrong from Galway, who is currently growing lots of grass.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/f2bf7337\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nFor more tips and advice, <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/Grass10-01stJuly2025\">view the Grass 10 weekly newsletter here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThe Weekly Grass10 update is hosted on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/the-dairy-edge-podcast\/\">Dairy Edge podcast show page<\/a>.\r\n\r\nFor more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:\r\n\r\nThe Dairy Edge is a co-production with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastcastmedia.com\/\">LastCastMedia.com<\/a>","id":"187587","title":"Listen: An update on grassland management from Grass10","category":"Grassland","release_date_time":"2025-07-05 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DEGrass10LogoJohnMaher.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Solitary-bee-leafcutter-700x525-2-e1751884363686.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-05","description":"Did you know that nearly 80% of Ireland’s bee species don’t live in hives at all? In fact, most bee species are classified as 'solitary bees’, and many people have never heard of them.","main_body":"As part of a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rte.ie\/brainstorm\/2025\/0623\/1519896-solitary-bees-nature-pollinators\/\">RTÉ Brainstorm<\/a> article, Colm O'Leary a PhD researcher in the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and a Teagasc Walsh Scholar, highlighted the importance of the solitary bee and shares ways to help this vulnerable species.\r\n\r\nAs the name suggests, solitary bees don’t live in hives, don’t have a queen and they don’t make honey. But they’re just as important – if not more important – when it comes to pollinating crops and wildflowers. Solitary bees are the unsung pollinators that are essential to the health of our ecosystems and our food production. And right now, many of them are in trouble.\r\n<h2>More about these bees<\/h2>\r\nSolitary bees are a diverse group of wild bees that nest alone rather than in hives or colonies like honeybees or bumblebees. Each female builds her own nest, collects her own pollen and nectar and lays her own eggs. There are no workers to help her, and no honey, just one female bee doing all the work.\r\n\r\nIn Ireland, we have approximately 100 species of bees, and about 80 of these are solitary. Some of the most common of these include mining bees (which dig nests into areas of bare soil) and cavity nesting bees (which use mud or leaves to seal up nests in hollow stems and holes in wood). Despite their name, solitary bees are not anti-social – many nest in loose groups – but each female is entirely independent.\r\n<h2>Why do they matter?<\/h2>\r\nSolitary bees are incredibly effective pollinators. Unlike honeybees and bumblebees that carry pollen by sticking it to their hind legs, solitary bees coat their bodies with dry pollen. Unfortunately for the bee, dry pollen falls off more easily as the bee visits flowers. Fortunately for the flower, this results in more pollen being transferred to the reproductive parts of the flower, leading to seed and fruit production. The work of solitary bees is especially important in agricultural areas, for example in apple orchards where they play a crucial role in blossom pollination and crop production.\r\n<h2>How vulnerable are these bees?<\/h2>\r\nApproximately 30% of Irish bee species are in decline. Solitary bees face many of the same threats as other pollinators: habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, but their unique biology can make them particularly vulnerable. To start with, they have short flight ranges – many solitary bee species only travel a few hundred metres from their nest – which means there needs to be food and nesting sites close together.\r\n\r\nIn addition, many solitary bees have highly specialised diets and will only visit a narrow range of flowering plants. If those plants aren’t present, then the bees that depend on them will vanish too.\r\n\r\nSolitary males can live for only a few days, whereas females may live for a few weeks. This means timing is everything; males only have a few days to find a mate, and females only have a few weeks to construct a nest, gather enough pollen, and lay eggs. And because the female does all the work, if she has to spend more time travelling further to find flowers, then there is less time to lay eggs.\r\n<h2>What can we do the help them?<\/h2>\r\nSolitary bees may not make honey, but their underappreciated work plays a key role in our landscapes and helps support the production of important agricultural crops. All of us can play a part, and whether you skip the occasional mowing, stop using pesticides, create a nest site or manage a meadow, it will all help in some way. Simple actions at home, on farms and in community spaces such as the following can make a real difference.\r\n\r\nCreate bee scrapes for mining bees. Ongoing research shows that mining bees like to nest in areas of bare soil on south-facing slopes. This habitat can be created by scraping the top centimetre of soil and vegetation using a shovel, then during the winter, a small bit of weeding will help reduce the plant growth in preparation for spring. A sunny bank on a field margin can be perfect.\r\n\r\nMake a bee hotel. Cavity nesting bees can nest in hollow stems or holes drilled into wooden logs. Make sure the holes are as deep as possible (preferably 15cm deep), and having a range of diameters, from 2mm to 10mm, will also cater for a wider range of species since bees will select a hole that matches their body size. My research has shown that placing bee hotels in sunny locations about one metre off the ground is preferable. Placing a bee hotel by a fence post or the wall of a garden shed are great locations.\r\n<h2>Protect existing areas of native flowers and plants for pollinators<\/h2>\r\nAllow flowers to bloom by reducing how frequently you cut your grass by taking part in initiatives like <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/why-solitary-bees-love-no-mow-may\/\">No Mow May<\/a>. Better yet, start managing part of your garden as a meadow by allowing the grass and wildflowers to grow and flower until late summer.\r\n\r\nKeep flowers and nest sites close together. Placing nest sites in areas with lots of flowers will help a female bee lay more eggs since she can spend less time travelling from her nest to the flowers, and back again.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rte.ie\/brainstorm\/\">Read more from RTÉ Brainstorm here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nSolitary bee image credit: Colm O'Leary","id":"185552","title":"How can we help the solitary bee?","category":"Environment","release_date_time":"2025-07-05 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Solitary-bee-leafcutter-700x525-2-e1751884363686.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/beef-photos\/Suckler-cows-SCEP-Daily-A-Nolan.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-05","description":"Did you join the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) in 2023? SCEP is a 5-year scheme, now in its 3rd year. It is a good time for suckler farmers to review where they are now in relation to scheme targets. Alan Nolan, Drystock Advisor in Mayo takes a look at the key requirements and actions","main_body":"<h2>Key requirements<\/h2>\r\nTo start, there are a number of key requirements that farmers must comply with throughout the duration of the SCEP to ensure they remain in the scheme. These include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Bord Bia SBLAS membership must be maintained for the duration of SCEP participation.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A minimum of 50% of the yearly reference number should calve down between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A valid BISS application for 2025 must be submitted.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFailure to comply with any of the above requirements will result in a farmer being removed from the programme and having to re-imburse payments already received. It is critically important if you have reduced suckler numbers in recent years to ensure that you had enough calves registered on 30th June to reach 50% of the SCEP yearly reference.\r\n\r\nRemember SCEP is an environmental scheme that is paid on a per hectare basis. Farmers in the scheme are paid €225\/ha on the first 15 hectares and €180\/ha on the remaining hectares.  This works out at a payment of €150 per cow on the first 22 cows and €120 per cow on the remaining cows. For a farmer with a reference number of 20 this works out at a payment of €3000 per annum over the 5 years, minus the cost of genotyping.\r\n<h2>Five mandatory actions<\/h2>\r\nThe scheme is built around five mandatory actions. As the scheme progresses some of the targets in these actions have increased. It is good for farmers to re-cap and be aware of any of these new targets so that they can maximise their payments over the lifetime of the scheme.\r\n<h3>Action 1 - Eligible Bull \/ Eligible AI<\/h3>\r\nIn years 3 &amp; 4, 85% of calves born must be sired from a 4- or 5-star eligible bull.  In year 5 this target increases to 90%. Therefore, it is important where a stock bull is changed or where a farmer purchased in-calf heifers that this target is still reached.\r\n<h3>Action 2 - Female Replacement Strategy<\/h3>\r\n2025 is an important year for this action. Applicants are required to ensure that by the 31<sup>st<\/sup> October 2025 at least 65% of their yearly reference number are eligible females. They must be genotyped 4 or 5 star on the Replacement Index at the time of purchase for replacements brought into the herd, or at the time of genotyping for those replacements bred within the herd.  This will increase to 75% in Oct 2027.\r\n<h3>Action 3 - Genotyping:<\/h3>\r\nApplicants must continue to genotype 70% of their yearly reference number and submit the samples by 30<sup>th<\/sup> November each year. This may be an area of concern for farmers who have reduced suckler cow numbers over the last few years. In this case all cows and females on the farm may be genotyped. There may not be enough new calves born to reach the 70% figure and there may be no other cattle on the farm available for genotyping. So, on suckler only farms it is important to ensure there is enough calves born each year to reach the 70% genotyping figure.\r\n<h3>Action 4 - Weighing and Submission of Weights to ICBF<\/h3>\r\nThis action remains the same in that farmers must weigh at least 80% of the calves born on their farm along with their dams. Calves must be unweaned and a minimum of 50 days at weighing. All weights must be submitted to ICBF by the 1<sup>st of<\/sup> November annually.\r\n\r\n<strong>Action 5 - Calving Details and Surveys<\/strong>\r\n\r\nApplicants are required to complete a range of survey forms collecting data relating to calving details and calf and cow traits throughout the year. Calves born in the herd must be kept on the farm till they are at least 5 months of age. This is one action a number of farmers have failed on in the past, in that they have not returned all the survey information and therefore have lost out on over 20% of their annual payment, despite reaching all other targets.\r\n<h2>Maximise your payment<\/h2>\r\nFor farmers to maximise their payments under the SCEP, it is essential to complete and meet all actions and requirements. Failure to comply with any of the steps - whether it is meeting the 50% calving requirement or completing surveys - can result in reduced payments or no payment.\r\n\r\nMake sure to keep a track on your herd’s progress to ensure you receive your full payment in the programme over the next 2-3 years. Use the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icbf.com\/\"> ICBF website<\/a> for assistance. Login onto your ICBF home page and view the SCEP Eligibility page to see if you are reaching the required targets.","id":"185756","title":"SCEP – Halfway Review","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-05 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/beef-photos\/Suckler-cows-SCEP-Daily-A-Nolan.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Generic-landscape-featured.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-04","description":"Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2024 report published today, 4th July, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pointed to a reduction of 1.7% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Irish agriculture in 2024. Ireland’s total GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF) decreased by 2% on 2023 levels.","main_body":"Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2024 report published today, 4<sup>th<\/sup> July, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pointed to a reduction of 1.7% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Irish agriculture in 2024. Ireland’s total GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF) decreased by 2% on 2023 levels.\r\n\r\nAgricultural emissions fell by 0.346 MtCO2e (1.7%) in 2024, to stand at 20.41 MtCO2e, primarily due to reduced cattle numbers. A 10.6% increase in fertiliser nitrogen use partially diminished the impact of reduced cattle numbers on emissions.\r\n\r\nThe three primary greenhouse gases of concern for the agricultural sector are methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. Methane emissions have decreased by 2.9% since 2023, while nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide have increased by 1.2% and 2.8%, respectively.\r\n\r\nAgriculture contributed 38% of Ireland’s GHG emissions in 2024. Compared to the 2018 baseline for the 2030 Climate Action Plan target, agriculture emissions have decreased by almost 1.0 MtCO2e (4.6%).\r\n\r\nHead of the Teagasc Climate Centre, Dr Karl Richards said; “Compared to 2018, farmers have reduced nitrogen fertiliser use, but its usage increased in 2024, contributing to the increase in nitrous oxide emissions. Protected urea use has increased rapidly from zero in 2018, to almost one third of straight nitrogen fertiliser sales in 2024.\r\n<blockquote>\"We need to continue to focus on technologies to both reduce our reliance on nitrogen fertiliser, while also switching to lower emission nitrogen products.”<\/blockquote>\r\nDr Tom O’Dwyer, Head of the Teagasc Signpost Programme said; “We must keep the focus on maintaining reduced nitrogen (N) fertiliser use. This is achieved through nutrient management planning, following agronomic advice to ensure optimal soil fertility through lime application, recycling animal manures, application of chemical Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), clover and grassland management.\r\n<blockquote>\"It is concerning that less lime was spread in both 2023 and 2024 compared to previous years, and that the purchase of fertiliser P and K also declined in both 2023 and 2024.\"<\/blockquote>\r\nOptimising soil fertility will support lower fertiliser N usage, while also optimising conditions for grass and clover performance. Increasing the adoption of protected urea from the current 30% to over 80% is a challenge for the entire sector.”\r\n\r\nAs well as taking steps to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, farmers also need to take steps to reduce methane emissions from their farming activities.  There are two key measures that farmers can employ now on their farms to reduce methane: improving EBI and reducing the age at which animals are finished. Between 2010 and 2022 the average finishing age of prime beef cattle reduced from 27.9 to 25.6 months, but this trend stalled in 2023 and 2024.  Challenging weather conditions, combined with a reduction in the number of young bulls being produced, increased average finishing age to 26.5 months in 2024.\r\n\r\nDr Paul Crosson, Beef Enterprise leader in Teagasc said; “Reducing finishing age for beef cattle is an essential element for Irish agriculture to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.\r\n\r\n\"Key to this is increasing live weight gain of beef cattle, which also improves farm profitability. This must be a key focus for all in the beef industry.”\r\n\r\nResearch across the Teagasc Climate Centre continues to identify new technologies to reduce emissions. Dr Richards said, “Increased research across the Teagasc Climate Centre has identified feed additives and slurry amendments that can significantly reduce methane emissions on Irish farms. They are both on the point of being commercially available for use by farmers. But financial incentives, or subsidies, will be required to incentivise their use by farmers and business models are urgently needed to ensure timely adoption in the near future.”\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/environment\/climate-centre\/\">Find out more about the Teagasc Climate Centre here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/environment\/climate-change--air-quality\/signpost-programme\/\">More information on the Teagasc Signpost Programme is available here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.ie\/publications\/monitoring--assessment\/climate-change\/air-emissions\/EPA-Provisional-1990-2024-GHG-Report-Final.pdf\">The full EPA report 'Ireland's Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions' is available here<\/a> (PDF).","id":"187541","title":"Green shoots of progress: Farmers contribute to emissions reductions","category":"Environment","release_date_time":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Generic-landscape-featured.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/forestry-photos\/Ash-Dieback-clearing-Daily-040725-Feature.png","release_date":"2025-07-04","description":"If your forest has been impacted by Ash Dieback, support is available. Here our forestry advisory team provide information on the current supports from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for forest owners affected by Ash Dieback. ","main_body":"<h2>Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme (RADS) 2023-2027<\/h2>\r\nIf you own an ash forest, which was planted with a grant from the Department and have not yet joined a reconstitution scheme, you can still apply for the ‘<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.gov.ie\/static\/documents\/1._Reconstitution_Ash_Dieback_Scheme_2023-2027_060625.pdf\">Reconstitution for Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027<\/a>’. This scheme provides support for forest owners impacted by the disease and covers both site clearance and replanting operations.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Site clearance<\/strong> involves the clearance of affected ash trees and associated operations in order to prepare and present the site for replanting.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Reconstitution<\/strong> involves the replacement of the ash trees with alternative species following The following <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/crops\/forestry\/grants\/overview-of-forest-establishment-grant-rates\/\">Forest Type (FT) options<\/a> are available for replanting:<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>FT1 Native forests<\/li>\r\n \t<li>FT6 Broadleaf, mainly oak and beech<\/li>\r\n \t<li>FT7 Diverse Broadleaf<\/li>\r\n \t<li>FT8 Agroforestry<\/li>\r\n \t<li>FT10 Continuous Cover Forestry<\/li>\r\n \t<li>FT11 Mixed high forests: Diverse Conifer<\/li>\r\n \t<li>FT12 Mixed high forests with Sitka Spruce and minimum 20% broadleaves<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nUnder the scheme, grant support will be paid to eligible applicants in three instalments:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Application for the Site Clearance Grant.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Application for the first Instalment Grant and top up premium payment (where such top ups are applicable) may be made following the reconstitution of the treated area (75% of reconstitution grant).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Application for the second Instalment Grant may be made four years after the site is successfully reconstituted (25% of reconstitution grant).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nCurrent support for site clearance is €2,000\/hectare cleared. Support for site reconstitution varies according to the Forest Type(s) selected – between €3,858\/ha for Forest Type 12 - Mixed high forests with mainly spruce, with minimum 20% broadleaves and €8,555\/ha Forest Type 8 - Agroforestry.\r\n\r\n<strong> <img class=\"wp-image-187118  alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/forestry-photos\/Ash-Dieback-trees-Daily-040725-Feature.png\" alt=\"Ash trees with ash dieback\" width=\"481\" height=\"259\" \/><\/strong>\r\n<h2>Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP)<\/h2>\r\nIf you have already participated in the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027, or if you replanted your ash forest under one of the previous Department reconstitution schemes due to the impacts of Ash Dieback i.e.:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Reconstitution Scheme Ash Dieback – introduced <strong>in 2013<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) – introduced <strong>in 2020<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback – introduced in early <strong>2023<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nthen you can be eligible for additional support (€5,000 per hectare) - under the <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.gov.ie\/static\/documents\/climate-action-performance-payment-scheme.pdf\">Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThose landowners who have already cleared their Ash Dieback-affected forest and received a payment for replanting their ash under a Department reconstitution scheme for Ash Dieback may apply for the first instalment of CAPP additional payment through <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agfood.ie\">www.agfood.ie<\/a>. The CAPP is paid in three instalments, totalling €5,000 per hectare. The first instalment of €2,500 may be made through this online portal.\r\n<h3>CAPP Support rates<\/h3>\r\nThe overall CAPP support rate is €5,000 per hectare, with one instalment of €2,500 and two payments of €1,250. The payments will be made as follows:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>An application for the first instalment of CAPP of, €2,500 per hectare, can be made after an applicant receives payment of an Ash Dieback reconstitution scheme replanting 1<sup>st<\/sup> instalment grant.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>An application for the <strong>second instalment of CAPP, of €1,250 per hectare,<\/strong> can be made the year after receipt of the first CAPP payment. An applicant must have received payment of an Ash Dieback reconstitution scheme 2nd instalment grant and received all relevant premium payments on the related Afforestation contract. The 2<sup>nd<\/sup> instalment grant on an Ash Dieback reconstitution scheme can be applied for 4 years after the 1<sup>st <\/sup> instalment Ash Dieback reconstitution scheme grant has been paid.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>An application for the third instalment of CAPP of €1,250 per hectare, can be applied for the year after the second instalment of CAPP has been paid.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf you have not applied under any reconstitution scheme for ash dieback yet, then you should contact a Registered Forester - <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.gov.ie\/static\/documents\/Webiste_Register_of_Foresters_and_Forestry_Companies_26062025.pdf\">List of Registered Foresters<\/a>, PDF - and ask them to make an application on your behalf under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/forestry\/grants\/reconstitution-ash-dieback-scheme-20232027\/\">Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023–2027<\/a>.\r\n<h3>Ash dieback videos<\/h3>\r\nTeagasc Forestry has produced a useful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLTH4B8So4FoSCqf7Dcy6r55hrHF3xLnUz\">Managing Ash Dieback- series of short videos<\/a>, which include the following topics:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Life cycle and symptoms<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Forest roads<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Timber harvesting<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Replacement species selection, planting and protection<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Remedial silvicultural research<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Researching tolerant genotypes<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFurther information on Ash Dieback and all aspects for forestry is available from your local <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/crops\/forestry\/staff-contact-us\/\">Teagasc Forestry advisory staff<\/a> and\/or by logging onto the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/forestry\">forestry section of the Teagasc website<\/a>","id":"187087","title":"Supports for owners of ash forests impacted by ash dieback","category":"Forestry","release_date_time":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-07 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/forestry-photos\/Ash-Dieback-clearing-Daily-040725-Feature.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Moorepark-32-New-videos-launched-to-help-farmers-tackle-lameness-in-cows-2-1024x683.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-04","description":"“Recent Teagasc research found that approximately 1 in 10 Irish dairy cows is lame at any one time, with levels rising to over 30% in some herds. The top 20% of Irish herds maintain lameness prevalence below 5%,” Dr Conneely added.","main_body":"<p class=\"x_MsoNormal\">“Recent Teagasc research found that approximately 1 in 10 Irish dairy cows is lame at any one time, with levels rising to over 30% in some herds. The top 20% of Irish herds maintain lameness prevalence below 5%,” Dr Conneely added.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"x_MsoNormal\">Launched by <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,<\/span> at the Moorepark Dairy Open Day on July 2, a series of short Animal Health Ireland (AHI) videos is now available online.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"x_xmsonormal\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">The SCIP project (Sound Cow Innovation Programme) was also launched, which is an EIP-funded initiative involving Animal Health Ireland (AHI), Teagasc, UCD, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ICBF, ICFTA (Irish Cattle Foot Trimmers Association), Tirlán, veterinary input and Farm Relief Service. It aims to pilot a lameness control programme on Irish dairy farms.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"x_xmsonormal\">Michelle McGrath, Hoof HealthCheck Programme Manager at Animal Health Ireland said; “For the average 100 cow dairy herd with 10% lameness, the cost of lameness is approximately €8,750 per annum. The SCIP programme is key in highlighting a preventative approach to lameness in dairy herds, while complementing how farmers are successfully approaching lameness. The programme will be a first step to having a lameness control plan for all farms in Ireland.”<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"x_xmsonormal\">The first in the series of videos on dairy cow lameness explores why lameness matters, not just for animal welfare, but also for farm productivity, sustainability and public trust.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"x_xmsonormal\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLtdH7yKPHqVXYyZOxgKxJX3hdm6fcNuHK.\">Watch the full series of videos now on the AHI YouTube channel here.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"x_xmsonormal\">On Teagasc Daily, an article will accompany each video, as part of a five-part series aimed at helping farmers tackle lameness through practical, evidence-based solutions. <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/\">Follow here for Teagasc Daily updates.<\/a><\/p>","id":"186993","title":"Tackling lameness: New video series launched","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Moorepark-32-New-videos-launched-to-help-farmers-tackle-lameness-in-cows-2-scaled.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/download-1024x683.png","release_date":"2025-07-04","description":"The Moorepark Dairy Open Day is a key biannual event that highlights cutting-edge research and innovations across all areas of dairy farming.","main_body":"<p data-start=\"621\" data-end=\"969\">The Moorepark Dairy Open Day is a key biannual event that highlights cutting-edge research and innovations across all areas of dairy farming.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"971\" data-end=\"1338\">We are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s photo competition at the Moorepark Dairy Open Day. The competition aimed to highlight the many reasons why dairy farming remains a rewarding career, and the dedication to future generations in dairying.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"1340\" data-end=\"1558\">We received an overwhelming response with hundreds of inspiring photographs submitted, each one telling a unique story about the connection between farmers, their families and their herds.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"1982\" data-end=\"2147\">Following careful judging, the selected winning photographs captured the essence of Irish Dairying.<\/p>\r\nThe overall winning photograph was taken and submitted by Imelda Kinsella, Co. Kilkenny (picture below).\r\n\r\n<img class=\" wp-image-185803\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Picture4.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Imelda Kinsella's young son who is keeping a close eye on the maiden heifers.\" width=\"691\" height=\"518\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe second prize winner chosen was <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"> Anne Murphy of Co. Cork.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-185800\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Picture1.jpg\" alt=\"Cows crossing a road.\" width=\"691\" height=\"710\" \/>\r\n\r\nAll entries were displayed at the Moorepark Dairy Open Day on July 2nd, and can be viewed <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/news\/prize-winners-in-the-teagasc-this-is-dairying-photographic-competition-announced\/\">here.<\/a>","id":"185961","title":"&#8216;This is Dairying&#8217; Photo Competition Winners Announced","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/download.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/weanling-pigs.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-04","description":"Aisling Holmes, Research Technician at the Teagasc Pig Research Facility (TPRF), gives an update on the farm’s performance in the first half of 2025.","main_body":"Aisling compares the farrowing and weaning data with the same period in 2024, highlighting how the average number of pigs born alive has increased to 17, and how this has been successfully carried through to weaning, achieving an average of 14.5 pigs weaned per litter. She also notes improvements in weaning weights, which have risen to 8.7 kg, yielding roughly 126 kg of weaned pig per sow.\r\n\r\nAisling explains that, despite the constraints of the three-week batch system and ongoing research trials, the team is close to the maximum production levels they can sustain while maintaining animal health and body condition throughout the cycle.\r\n\r\n<strong>For more information, watch the video below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iIacMAt9Qms?si=Jm1vxb-jjfCIRIvD\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/animals\/pigs\/\">Find out more about the work of the Teagasc Pig Development Department here<\/a><strong>.<\/strong>","id":"185854","title":"Watch: An update from the Moorepark Pig Research Farm","category":"Pigs &amp; Poultry","release_date_time":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/weanling-pigs.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Charlie-and-Charles-Smyth-pictured-in-their-finishing-shed.png","release_date":"2025-07-04","description":"Father and son team, Charles and Charlie Smyth run a progressive and commercially successful dairy calf to beef operation just outside Virginia, Co. Cavan.","main_body":"Participants in the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign, their system centres on maximising beef output from grass, consistently hitting key performance targets, and managing costs to ensure a healthy profit.\r\n<h2>Calf purchases and management<\/h2>\r\nEach spring, the Smyths purchase around 100 calves, both male and female, and a mix of Fleckvieh, Angus, Hereford, Friesian, and a small number of continental crosses such as Belgian Blue, Limousin, and Charolais. Whether sourced directly from farms, or through local marts, Commercial Beef Value (CBV) is prioritised, with Charlie placing a firm emphasis on quality.\r\n\r\nCharlie does things slightly differently when it comes to weaning calves. They are usually kept inside for one month after coming off milk and are fed a diet of ad-lib meal and straw. Charlie believes that this is key to having a calf that is well able to thrive when they go to grass.\r\n\r\nExplaining as to why calves are supplemented with meal throughout the summer, Charlie explained: “I think the kilogram of meal is great for holding the condition on calves because not every day is going to be dry and sunny, and the reality is that not every day they will be going into the right grass covers either.”\r\n\r\nDespite sourcing calves from a wide range of suppliers, a strict health plan keeps calf mortality impressively low at under 1% annually. All calves are put on a vaccination programme for pneumonia and IBR shortly after arrival.\r\n<h2>Keeping the meal bill down<\/h2>\r\nOperating across five fragmented land blocks on a mix of free-draining and heavy drumlin soils, the Smyths’ farm presents a challenge that many beef farmers face; if weather conditions are tricky in the spring, cattle may not get out until April.\r\n\r\nSo, key to keeping the meal bill down is to make good quality silage. First-cut silage was mown on the 15<sup>th<\/sup> of May and will test at around mid-70s DMD (Dry Matter Digestibility). Now with such high grass growth rates, a lot of surplus paddocks are being taken out as high-quality baled silage.\r\n\r\nGrass utilisation is another focus area on the farm. Charlie has installed a new paddock system with centralised water troughs and temporary fencing to allow for flexibility and rotational grazing. Cattle are typically moved every three days to improve grass utilisation.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, Charlie is determined to push animal performance further by improving grazing management.\r\n\r\nHe explained: “If you're not measuring what you have, you're more than likely to graze heavy covers out of fear of running out of grass. That can really affect weight gain. This year, I’m putting a real focus on measuring grass to optimise cattle performance. I want a lot of my 2024-born cattle as close to 500kg by the first of October, and I just won’t achieve this if I’m constantly going into heavy grass covers.”\r\n\r\nAdditionally, since joining the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign, the Smyths have invested heavily in farm infrastructure. In 2024, they constructed a modern finishing shed capable of comfortably housing 64 finishing cattle.\r\n<h2>Upcoming event<\/h2>\r\nCharlie and Charles Smyth will open their farm gates to host a Teagasc DairyBeef 500 farm walk on the evening of Thursday, July 10<sup>th<\/sup> at 7pm, on their farm just outside Virginia, Co. Cavan. This event promises to be a valuable opportunity for anyone involved in dairy calf to beef to see at first-hand how a simple system, from calf rearing to finishing beef cattle, can be labour efficient while at the same time generating good levels of profitability.\r\n\r\n<strong>Charlie Smyth features on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into his dairy beef system and upcoming farm walk. Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/1d4ed313\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nAlong with the Smyths, Teagasc advisors and specialists will be available on the night of the farm walk for interactive discussions and to answer all questions that arise. There will be a lot of valuable information and experiences to be shared and anyone with an interest in dairy calf to beef systems should feel free to attend. We look forward to welcoming you on the night.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/event\/dairybeef-500-smyth-php\/\">For more information on the DairyBeef 500 Farm Walk on Charlie Smyth’s farm, visit here<\/a>.","id":"169553","title":"Labour efficient and profitable – the Smyths’ dairy-beef system","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-07-04 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Charlie-and-Charles-Smyth-pictured-in-their-finishing-shed.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Combine-harvester-in-tillage-crops.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-03","description":"Michael Hennessy, Teagasc Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, writes on preparing your combine for harvest, sharing tips for a trouble-free season.","main_body":"As harvest approaches, now is the perfect time to ensure your combine has been thoroughly checked through. The combine is often the most expensive machine on the farm, and proper preparation can save you breakdowns, stress and expense when the weather breaks and every hour counts.\r\n\r\nHere are some practical steps to get your combine ready for the busy weeks ahead.\r\n<h2>Clean thoroughly<\/h2>\r\nStart by giving your combine a full clean-down. Ideally, this should have been done after last harvest, but it’s never too late. Use a compressor, brushes and an industrial vacuum to remove straw, chaff, soil and dust. Pay special attention to stone traps, sieves, the grain pan, straw walkers and under guards where debris builds up. Wearing goggles and a dust mask is strongly recommended when blowing down the machine.\r\n\r\nIf mud or crop residue has hardened on augers and elevator housings, it should be removed before it causes premature wear. Run the machine briefly with elevator and auger covers open to shake loose any remaining debris - but make sure no tools or people are in the vicinity before starting.\r\n\r\nIf washing down the panels, avoid directing water at sealed bearings or electrical components. If you steam clean, protect electrics and re‑grease bearings afterwards.\r\n<h2>Service and repair<\/h2>\r\nNext, inspect for worn or damaged parts and carry out repairs now rather than in the middle of harvest.  Key areas to check include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Header<\/strong>: Check the reel, knives, lifters, auger and elevator chains for wear or damage. Chains should deflect about 6mm per 300mm of length, and belts about 12mm per 300mm. Replace or adjust as necessary.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Drum and concave<\/strong>: Look for worn rasp bars, broken concave wires, or a “bellied-out” concave, which will reduce threshing performance.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Bearings and belts<\/strong>: Spin bearings to check for dryness or roughness and inspect belts for cracks. Worn bearings heat up quickly and checking with a handheld thermal imaging camera can be invaluable to spot problems before they fail completely. Replace worn parts now - bearings and belts are inexpensive compared to a harvest delay.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Augers and elevators<\/strong>: Ensure chains are properly tensioned and not running slack or rubbing, which can lead to cracked grain or failure.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nUse the operator’s manual for guidance on service intervals, correct lubricants and tension settings specific to your machine.\r\n<h2>Engine and electrics<\/h2>\r\nDrain and replace the engine oil and filters, and check fuel and hydraulic filters. Clean the radiator and oil cooler fins of dust and chaff. Keep the fuel tank full to prevent condensation and water contamination.\r\n\r\nCheck battery terminals, starter connections and ensure the isolator switch is working; loose or corroded connections can cause fires.\r\n<h2>Spares and backup<\/h2>\r\nCarrying some spares of the most common breakage parts is essential, as these always seem to break after office hours or at the weekends. Finally, having a good relationship with your machinery dealer and their mechanic is essential, as it often the case you will be relying on their good will to fix you machine at short notice or after hours.\r\n<h2>Working without damaging soils during the harvest<\/h2>\r\nOnce your machine is ready, it’s equally important to operate it with care in the field to protect your soils. Although soils are relatively dry at the moment with a 40mm soil moisture deficit, there are always parts of the field\/farm which have damper soils. Modern combines are large and heavy, and repeated passes or working when soils are damp can cause compaction and rutting that affect future crops.\r\n\r\nUse tramlines or a controlled traffic approach to keep wheels on the same tracks throughout the field. This limits the area of soil affected and makes it easier to alleviate compaction later.\r\n\r\nCheck tyre pressures and consider fitting wider or dual tyres to reduce ground pressure. Some contractors now use tracks rather than wheels to spread the load even further.\r\n\r\nPlan your route through the field to minimise turning on soft ground and avoid unnecessary crossings. Always empty the grain tank in designated areas rather than at random and keep trailers on headlands or firm ground where possible.\r\n\r\nTaking a few of these precautions helps maintain good <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/environment\/soil\/soil-health\/soil-physical-health\/what-is-soil-structure\/\">soil structure<\/a> and drainage, which pays off in future crops.\r\n<h2>Tillage Edge podcast<\/h2>\r\nThe Tillage Edge podcast’s coverage from the recent Teagasc Crops and Technology Open Day continues this week, sharing updates on the Tillage AgNav Programme, winter rye and wheat diseases.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/a48368c5\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nIn part one of the podcast series from the Crops and Technology Open Day, Dr. Ewen Mullins discussed the event and farmer feedback, Veronica Nyhan took us on a tour of the Oak Park soil pit and Jack Jameson discussed his wheat variety trials.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen in to part one below: <\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/45a65bed\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>","id":"185906","title":"Harvest without headaches: Combine maintenance and soil care","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Combine-harvester-in-tillage-crops.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tommy-Delahunt-in-a-field-of-pea-bean-intercrop-e1751553605888.png","release_date":"2025-07-03","description":"Are you interested in intercropping or considering adding it to your rotation? Then an upcoming walk on the farm of Growing Organics participant, Tommy Delahunt will be of interest to you.","main_body":"Farming 31.5ha of organic tillage in east Wicklow, after opting for a partial conversion, Tommy Delahunt grows a range of winter and spring cereals, intercropping includes pea\/bean and barley\/pea, along with multispecies grass swards. Tommy believes that a diverse range of crops in the rotation will limit the likelihood of weeds becoming a problem on the farm.\r\n\r\nThe relatively new concept of growing a pea\/bean intercrop is being carried out on Tommy’s farm, with the aim of providing an Irish-grown source of protein for the organic animal feed market. The farm walk on July 9, 2025, will take an in-depth look at the intercropping of such protein crops and at intercrops of barley\/pea also.\r\n<h2>Marketing organic crops<\/h2>\r\nTommy’s crops of barley\/pea are sown under contract for an organic dairy farmer, and spring oats are grown for the expanding organic feed market; some of the oat crop is contracted to Flahavans.\r\n\r\nAs part of the Growing Organics Farm Walk, seeding rates for oats – comparing high versus low – and also the advantages of a winter oat crop compared to a spring oat crop for weed control will be discussed.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, as Tommy is growing some crops under contract for other organic farmers, there will be a look at grain handling facilities, along with assessing the value of the crop for sale to the organic feed market.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-185760 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Organic-Farm-Walks-Tommy-Delahunt-12x3-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"651\" \/>\r\n<h2>When and where?<\/h2>\r\nThe Growing Organics Farm Walk will take place on the farm of Tommy Delahunt, Ballinaclogh, Co. Wicklow, Eircode: A67 T660 at 11am on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.\r\n\r\nTeagasc advisors, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine representatives, organic certification bodies and Tommy Delahunt will all be available on the day to answer questions and give guidance.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/event\/growingorganics-tillage-php\/\">Find out more about the Growing Organics Farm Walk and Programme here<\/a>.","id":"185758","title":"Intercropping &#8211; a chance to view it in action","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tommy-Delahunt-in-a-field-of-pea-bean-intercrop-e1751553605888.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/TE030725v2A-1024x1024.png","release_date":"2025-07-03","description":"The Tillage Edge podcast’s coverage from the recent Teagasc Crops and Technology Open Day continues this week, with Michael Hennessy bringing you updates on the Tillage AgNav Programme, winter rye and wheat diseases.","main_body":"Michael Hennessy speaks with John Spink about the launch of the Tillage AgNav programme, which is an important new decision support tool for Irish tillage farmers.\r\n\r\nRichie Hackett shares advice on growing winter rye, a crop gaining popularity in recent years. And, Stephen Kildea discusses wheat diseases, with a focus on why yellow rust has become more problematic in 2025.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/a48368c5\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/crops\/the-tillage-edge-podcast\/\">For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast, visit here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThe Tillage Edge podcast is produced on behalf of Teagasc by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastcastmedia.com\/\">LastCastMedia.com<\/a>.","id":"185393","title":"Tillage AgNav tool, growing winter rye and tackling wheat diseases – highlights from the Oak Park Open Day part 2","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/TE030725v2A.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Plot-scale-landspreading-studies-1024x703.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-03","description":"Ammonia (NH3) is an atmospheric pollutant that also contributes to loss of biodiversity, public heath issues and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. A recent workshop hosted by Teagasc presented the latest research and policy directives relating to ammonia emissions from Irish agriculture. ","main_body":"The workshop was the culmination of a four-year project, Triple A, led by Teagasc researcher, Dominika Krol.\r\n<h2>The Policy Perspective<\/h2>\r\n99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland come from agriculture, with 90 % from animal manure. This includes emissions from manure management (in housing and storage), slurry applied to soil, emissions from dung and urine deposited at pasture by grazing animals and emissions from application of synthetic fertilisers. The reduction in ammonia emissions is directed by the National Emission Reduction Commitments (NEC) Directive. In 2023, ammonia emissions decreased by 4 %, bringing it within compliance of the directive. However, with stricter limits coming into effect in 2030, continued uptake of measures such as Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS), reduction in nitrogen fertiliser and use of low emission fertilisers is needed.\r\n<h2>What does the research show?<\/h2>\r\nA significant amount of research has been dedicated to calculating the emission factors of ammonia from cattle production under Irish conditions. As part of Triple A, a review of previous research in Ireland was performed to assess the effectiveness of various measures that could reduce ammonia emissions. Ammonia emissions vary by housing, manure management, diet, and climatic conditions. Among the measures that reduce the emission factors of ammonia were the inclusion of urease inhibitors with urea fertilisation on grassland, immediate cleaning of concrete yards and slurry amendments such as acidification. Emissions from urine and dung patches during grazing were also lower than emissions from animal housing, therefore extended grazing can reduce emissions. LESS reduced emissions although not to the same extent as in other countries, most likely due to milder weather. Other ways to reduce spreading emissions were to spread slurry in evening times, diluting slurry or separating liquid and solid fractions and spreading of the liquid fraction. Follow up research is focused on providing more up-to-date information on the specific efficacy of various LESS methods. This work is still on-going.\r\n\r\nAnother experiment assessed various slurry additives at meso-scale (20L) and pilot-scale (660L) for their effect on emissions in storage and spreading. Additives such as acidifiers showed potential to curb emissions significantly - up to 75% for ammonia and 30% for methane - while also maintaining manure nutrient value and increasing grass yield. The study highlighted that acidification has promise in reducing ammonia emissions. However, there are barriers to adoption, such as the large volume needed and cost.\r\n\r\nComplementing the environmental focus, the project highlighted the public health consequences of agricultural ammonia emissions. Ammonia reacts in the atmosphere to form fine particulate matter (PM₂. ₅), which is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. There is a disproportionate health burden on rural communities, however this type of air pollution can travel long distances and affect people’s heath far from its source. There is a need for integrated policies that align agricultural practices with air quality standards.\r\n<h2>What’s Next?<\/h2>\r\nMany of the measures mentioned above are already in the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC). Adoption of certain measures from the MACC can not only aid in reducing agriculture’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also ensure Ireland stays compliant with the NEC directive. Future research will focus on investigating the trade-offs between ammonia and GHG mitigation measures, refining and validating emission factors in large scale studies and investigating novel strategies in manure management such as precision application and digital tools.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-168308\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/teagasc-climate-centre-logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"258\" height=\"133\" \/> <img class=\"alignnone wp-image-168309\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/triple-A-logo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"123\" \/>\r\n<h3>Acknowledgements<\/h3>\r\nThe Triple A project was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA) of Northern Ireland. This research was conducted as part of the Teagasc Climate Centre.\r\n<h3>Publications<\/h3>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Owusu-Twum, M.Y., Kelleghan, D., Gleasure, G., Forrestal, P., Lanigan, G.J., Richards, K.G. and Krol, D.J., 2023. Ammonia emission factors from cattle production systems in Ireland–a review. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 62(1), pp.75-95.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Owusu-Twum, M.Y., Kelleghan, D., Gleasure, G., Connolly, S., Forrestal, P., Lanigan, G.J., Richards, K.G. and Krol, D.J., 2025. Mitigation of ammonia and methane emissions with manure amendments during storage of cattle slurry. <em>Waste Management &amp; Research<\/em>, <em>43<\/em>(4), pp.568-579.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Wyer, K.E., Kelleghan, D.B., Blanes-Vidal, V., Schauberger, G. and Curran, T.P., 2022. Ammonia emissions from agriculture and their contribution to fine particulate matter: A review of implications for human health. <em>Journal of Environmental Management<\/em>, <em>323<\/em>, p.116285.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","id":"168287","title":"Triple A: Abating Ammonia Emissions from Agriculture","category":"Environment","release_date_time":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Plot-scale-landspreading-studies.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Winter-oats-Oak-Park-June-2025.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-03","description":"Research undertaken in the Teagasc Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, to support the development of the Winter Oat Guide, has offered new insights as to the most appropriate nitrogen fertiliser strategies for winter oat crops.","main_body":"Leading this research has been Dr. Atikur Rahman, a Research Officer working in the area of oat agronomy and physiology, who shared some of the key findings at the Crops and Technology Open Day, an event organised in partnership between Teagasc and the Irish Farmers Journal, on June 25.\r\n\r\nOne specific focus of Dr. Rahman’s work has been the drivers of yield in winter oat crops. He noted: “Our work reaffirms that grain number per panicle is the main yield driver in winter oats, and our research has focused on how we achieve this yield potential by manipulating grain number per panicle.”\r\n\r\nAs expected, Nitrogen (N) fertiliser application strategy is the primary driver, but a balance is required between timing and total N supplied to the crop. Quantifying this, Dr. Rahman said: “From our research, our primary advisory recommendation is to apply the recommended application of nitrogen in two splits by growth stage 32.”\r\n\r\nAs to the why, Dr. Rahman added: “Applying nitrogen by growth stage 32, along with ensuring all other management practices are completed on time, ensures a healthy crop during the critical yield formation period.\r\n<blockquote>“In winter oats, the most critical period for yield formation occurs between flag leaf emergence to panicle emergence. If the crop becomes stressed during this period, there is the potential for a significant reduction in yield through oat panicle floral abortion, occurring when the oat plant senses stress and causing the spikelets to go dry and die.”<\/blockquote>\r\nAlong with insufficient nitrogen applications being cited as a cause of the above, Dr. Rahman noted that harsh chemical mixes are also a stress factor during this period, adding: “In both cases, the oat plant – although its panicle may have had a very high potential to form grain – has decided not to [maximise yield] because it is under stress.”\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_169199\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"700\"]<img class=\"wp-image-169199 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Atikur-Rahman.jpg\" alt=\"Dr Atikur Rahman speaking in from of a crop of winter oat\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/> Dr. Atikur Rahman discussed Teagasc's ongoing research in the area of oats at the Crops and Technology Open Day[\/caption]\r\n\r\nGiven the above, nitrogen applications prior to reaching growth stage 32 are key for optimising grain yield, but Dr. Rahman noted that balance is needed, especially when it comes to counteracting lodging. The Nitrogen index of the soil on which these studies were undertaken was index 1. Growers may need to adjust their applied N based on available residual N and the type of soil.\r\n\r\n“Grain number is clearly influenced by nitrogen and some farmers might be tempted to put on more nitrogen, but lodging is a concern,” he added.\r\n\r\nExplaining how this is the case, Dr. Rahman summarised work from Teagasc Walsh Scholar, Tapiwa Zengeza’s study which showed that in 2023 – a high lodging pressure year due to wind and rain – plots receiving more than 150kg of N\/ha suffered yield losses through lodging.\r\n\r\n“Studies undertaken at Oak Park show that at N application rates of &gt;150kg\/ha, there is a high lodging risk – even with full applications of plant growth regulators – and penalties for KPH. During 2023, we recorded yield losses of 3% when N application rates increased from 150kg N\/ha to either 180kg N\/ha or 240kg N\/ha. Treatments receiving &lt;150kg N\/ha showed no lodging in the three years of this study,” Dr. Rahman concluded.\r\n<h2>Highlights from the Oak Park Open Day<\/h2>\r\nMore highlights from the Teagasc Crops &amp; Technology Open Day in Oak Park, Carlow were provided via the Tillage Edge podcast. Michael Hennessy spoke with Dr. Ewen Mullins about the event and farmer feedback, Veronica Nyhan gave a tour of the soil pit and Jack Jameson discussed his wheat variety trials.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/45a65bed\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from the Crops and Technology Open Day<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/time-to-catch-on-to-rye\/\">Time to catch on to rye?<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from the Crops and Technology Open Day<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/what-lies-beneath-insights-from-the-oak-park-soil-pit\/\">What lies beneath: Insights from the Oak Park soil pit<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from the Crops and Technology Open Day<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/fast-growing-faba-beans-a-runner-in-shorter-growing-seasons\/\">Fast-growing faba beans – a runner in shorter growing seasons?<\/a>","id":"169164","title":"New thinking on winter oat nitrogen fertiliser strategies","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-07-03 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Winter-oats-Oak-Park-June-2025.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Dr-Emer-Kennedy-Professor-Laurence-Shalloo-and-Dr-Deridre-Hennessy.png","release_date":"2025-07-02","description":"Farmers attending the Moorepark Open Day today, July 2, were shown a blueprint for a more profitable and sustainable dairy farming future.","main_body":"Addressing the gathered masses, Head of the Animal &amp; Grassland Research and Innovation Programme at Teagasc, Professor Laurance Shalloo said: “There has been a 50% increase in costs of production since 2020. That increase has resulted from input cost inflation, weather effects, higher input systems and investment at farm level.”\r\n\r\nAlthough dairy continues to be Ireland’s most profitable farming enterprise, Professor Shalloo noted that substantial profit differences exist between farms and there are opportunities for a refocus on costs of production across all farms.\r\n\r\nCost control is essential every year, he advised, and improving grass utilisation while reducing purchased feeds has shown consistently that it increases profits.\r\n\r\n“Increased volatility in input costs and milk prices highlight the need to further build resilience into Irish dairy systems,” Professor Shalloo noted.\r\n<h2>Grass, breeding and future focuses<\/h2>\r\nJoining Professor Shalloo at board one at the Moorepark Open Day, Dairy Enterprise Leader with Teagasc, Dr. Emer Kennedy highlighted the need to refocus on grass, be that production and utilisation.\r\n\r\n“The most profitable dairy systems in Ireland are those that maximise grass in the cow’s diet. In 2023, home-grown forage accounted for just 78% of dairy cow diets in Ireland,” Dr. Emer Kennedy explained, before adding: “Increasing the proportion of home-grown forage in the cow’s diet to over 90% will be a key target going forward.\r\n\r\n“We know this is possible; National Farm Survey data from 2023 shows that the average Irish dairy farmer produced 10.4t DM\/ha. In contrast, top-performing farms measuring through PastureBase Ireland (PBI) consistently exceed this, suggesting considerable room for improvement.\r\n\r\n“Grass silage and concentrates are three to four times more expensive than grazed grass and by prioritising pasture utilisation, farmers can significantly reduce feed costs and boost margins,” Dr. Kennedy explained.\r\n\r\nGenetics and breeding targets are also important, with Dr. Kennedy adding: “The Economic Breeding Index (EBI) is constantly updated to help farmers select cows best suited to grass-based systems. Highly fertile cows, achieving a 90% six-week calving rate, breeding replacements through sexed semen and producing high Commercial Beef Value (CBV) non-replacement stock all contribute to higher productivity at lower costs.”\r\n\r\nAdditionally, Dr Deirdre Hennessy detailed future focus areas. She noted that farmers must focus on pasture and costs, making farms a desirable workplace and continuing to use sexed semen and high Dairy Beef Index sires. For future policy, she explained, it must be based on science, while research and extension must serve to develop new technologies and promote their use of farms through knowledge transfer actions and consistent messaging.\r\n\r\n<strong>For more insights, a recording of board one from the Moorepark Open Day is available to view below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/25zoVRMbnAg?si=mDxJEte059PEqdpV\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n<h2>A positive outlook at Moorepark<\/h2>\r\nThere is a positive outlook for dairying at the moment and there are good opportunities for young people to consider a career as a dairy farmer. Teagasc has a range of educational options to equip young people to meet the challenges facing the sector and to flourish. Those were the views of Professor Frank O’ Mara, Director of Teagasc who spoke at Moorepark today.\r\n\r\nProfessor O Mara said: “Ireland’s grass-based milk production system ensures milk production in Ireland is competitive internationally. Grazed grass is the cheapest feed for cows and systems built on that are key to the sector being sustainable and resilient to both climate change and economic shocks.”\r\n\r\nIn the ‘business of farming’ village at the Teagasc Dairy Open Day in Moorepark, it is highlighted that there is a large variability in costs on Irish farmers as measured by both the Teagasc National Farm Survey and the Teagasc Profit Monitor results.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the research currently underway to address the challenges faced by the dairy sector is being displayed at the open day. The technologies available, and those being researched to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions in terms of both methane and Nitrous oxide are being highlighted and discussed with the farmers and industry personnel attending the open day.\r\n\r\nThere is also a major focus on nutrient management to reduce the potential load on the environment. The measures being promoted as part of the Teagasc ‘Better Farming for Water, 8-Actions for Change campaign are on display.\r\n\r\nThe forum in the afternoon today will be opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from the Moorepark Open Day<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/making-dairy-farms-more-attractive-places-to-work\/\">Making dairy farms more attractive places to work<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from the Moorepark Open Day<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/fewer-male-dairy-calves-and-more-beef-from-the-dairy-herd\/\">Fewer male dairy calves and more beef from the dairy herd<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from the Moorepark Open Day<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/ebi-values-to-be-revised\/\">EBI values to be revised<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from the Moorepark Open Day<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/20-more-grass-growth-achievable-on-dairy-farms\/\">20% more grass growth achievable on dairy farms<\/a>","id":"174796","title":"Moorepark: Opportunities exist, but cost control essential","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Dr-Emer-Kennedy-Professor-Laurence-Shalloo-and-Dr-Deridre-Hennessy.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Dr-Conor-Hogan-Moorepark-2025.png","release_date":"2025-07-02","description":"As less than 5% of dairy farmers are under 35, farmers attending the Moorepark Open Day, today, July 2 were reminded that the future of Irish dairying depends not just on productivity, but also on people.","main_body":"Addressing delegates at board 2 – the Business of Dairying, Dr. Conor Hogan, a Research Officer on the People in Dairy Programme, explained: “The lack of young people entering the dairy sector represents a key structural challenge.\r\n\r\n“Given the evolving expectations of both current and future farmers, it is increasingly apparent that improving working conditions and enhancing the attractiveness of dairy farming as a career are critical for both generational renewal and making farms better workplaces for all involved.”\r\n\r\nTo make this possible, Dr. Hogan detailed four foundational practices, as detailed in table 1 below, that must be embedded on all farms. These include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>1). A 16:8 hour milking interval – to shorten working day length,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>2). Proactive workforce planning – to build a farm team,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>3). System specialisation and outsourcing to contractors – to maximise the amount of time spent on productive tasks,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>4). An efficient calf rearing system – to reduce the spring workload.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Table 1: <\/strong>Work organisation effectiveness benchmarks and targets for farms from the 1<sup>st<\/sup> February to 30<sup>th<\/sup> June\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Average<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Top 25%<sup>1<\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Target<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Start time<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">06.48<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">06.47<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">07.00<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Finish time<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">19.08<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">18.25<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&lt;18.00<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Farmer workday length (hour)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">12.3<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">11.4<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&lt;11.0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Farmer work (hours\/week)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">61.1<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">51.2<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&lt;48<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Farmer days off per year (holidays and weekend days)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">19<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">33<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&gt;60<sup>2<\/sup><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\"><sup>1<\/sup>Selected based on the farms ranking for work organisation effectiveness. <sup>2<\/sup>Allowing on average on day per week off and a two-week holiday.<\/span>\r\n<h2>Making it happen - the skills that will shape future success<\/h2>\r\nTo realise these opportunities, Dr. Hogan explained, the next phase of development for dairy farms must be underpinned by robust skills and planning.\r\n\r\n“Financial benchmarking and sound business planning will be essential for guiding smart investments and managing volatility. Equally, people management and leadership, including how work is organised and how people are supported, will determine the attractiveness of farms as workplaces.”\r\n<h2>Work on the basics<\/h2>\r\nAs costs on dairy farms have increased by +50% since 2020, Dr. Padraig French also reminded those in attendance that a refocus on the basics is required, whether that be through better cows, pasture management or work practices.\r\n\r\n“Dairy farmers need to invest in things that are going to improve profitability or reduce costs,” he explained, “and investing in soil fertility is the starting point.”\r\n\r\nAs evident in table 1, Dr. French also spoke on key performance indicators, tracking the progress from 2013\/2014 to today, while also setting targets for the future.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 2: Moorepark’s key performance indicator (KPI) targets for dairy farms<\/strong>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>KPIs<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>2013\/2014<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>2023\/2024<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Target<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">EBI (€)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">84<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">198<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&gt;240<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">6 week calving rate (%)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">57<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">68<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&gt;90<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Optimum soil fertility (% area)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">12<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">24<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&gt;90<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Labour efficiency (hours\/c0w)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">42<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">35<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&lt;18<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Pasture utilised (t DM\/ha)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">7.0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">8.0<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&gt;12.0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Grazed pasture in diet (%)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">61<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">55<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&gt;65<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Concentrate fed (t\/cow)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">1.1<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">1.3<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">&lt;0.5<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">Total costs (€\/kg MS)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">3.70<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">5.65<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\">3.80<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<strong>For more insights, a recording of Board 2 from the Moorepark Open Day is available to view below:<\/strong>\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vHPAjW9ivio?si=dKz9TiUIqS84WN7k\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Irish-Dairying-Innovating-for-the-future.pdf\">More information on the above is available in the 'The business of dairying: future-proofed through innovation' paper written by Abigail Ryan, Conor Hogan, Padraig French and Brendan Horan and available in the Moorepark Open Day book<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/moorepark-opportunities-exist-but-cost-control-essential\/\">Moorepark: Opportunities exist, but cost control essential<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/fewer-male-dairy-calves-and-more-beef-from-the-dairy-herd\/\">Fewer male dairy calves and more beef from the dairy herd<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/ebi-values-to-be-revised\/\">EBI values to be revised<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/20-more-grass-growth-achievable-on-dairy-farms\/\">20% more grass growth achievable on dairy farms<\/a>","id":"174498","title":"Making dairy farms more attractive places to work","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Dr-Conor-Hogan-Moorepark-2025.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Stephen-Butler-discussed-sexed-semen-strategies-at-Moorepark-2025.png","release_date":"2025-07-02","description":"The practical advice and synchronisation programmes for effective use of sexed semen on commercial dairy farms were developed and refined by Professor Stephen Butler and his team at Teagasc Moorepark. Few technologies have delivered as much for the Irish dairy and beef industries.","main_body":"As part of today’s Moorepark Open Day, Professor Butler reminded farmers of the progress to date: “In 2021, there was no sex-sorting lab in Ireland, and approximately 85,000 sexed semen straws were used on Irish dairy farms.\r\n\r\n\"Today, we have two labs operating in Ireland. The use of sexed semen has increased to more than 350,000 straws this year and is expected to increase further in the years ahead. Because of increasing use of sexed semen during the period from 2021 to 2024, the use of conventional dairy semen almost halved, and the use of beef semen almost doubled.\r\n\r\n“We’ve witnessed a year-on-year decrease in the number of male dairy calves born, as farmers increase the use of beef genetics in their dairy breeding programmes. In 2021, 49.1% (417,852) of all dairy registered calves were male. As a sexed semen uptake has increased, this proportion has declined to 42.6% (295,162) in 2024, and it’s projected to be less than 40% (276,000) of the total male dairy origin calf crop in 2025 and less than 37% (250,000 calves) in 2026.”\r\n\r\n<strong>Professor Butler highlighted some of the reasons for this increased uptake:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The use of sexed semen in dairy production allows predetermination of calf sex with ~90% confidence,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Large teams of high Economic Breeding Index (EBI) bulls are now available sexed,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Acceptable pregnancy rates are being achieved across thousands of herds,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Using high EBI sexed semen on the best EBI dams accelerates herd genetic gain,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Using sexed semen to generate replacement heifers at the start of the breeding season ensures that all replacements are born at the start of the calving season the following year,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sexed semen facilitates a marked increase in the use of high DairyBeef Index (DBI) beef semen to generate all non-replacement calves, which could account for over 70% of the total calf crop. These beef-cross calves are more saleable compared with male dairy calves.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>New strategies<\/h2>\r\nAlthough the use of sexed semen to generate replacements is having the intended consequence of reducing the number of male dairy births, Professor Butler noted that new strategies will be required to generate high EBI male calves suitable for breeding the next generation. Work is ongoing in Moorepark on reproductive technologies to assist with this and to accelerate genetic gain.\r\n\r\n“Identifying elite genetic merit dams to be oocyte donors and fertilising the oocytes with semen from elite genetic merit sires can facilitate generation of multiple offspring annually per dam-sire combination.\r\n\r\n“Intense selection using this approach increases the likelihood of generating elite genetic merit offspring and can be applied to both dairy and beef breeds,” Professor Butler added.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Strategies for the successful use of sexed semen were also discussed at Moorepark 2025. <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Irish-Dairying-Innovating-for-the-future.pdf\">Read Professor Stephen Butler’s and Professor Donagh Butler’s paper titled ‘Accelerating genetic gain’ here for more information<\/a>.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>A recording of Professor Stephen Butler’s and Professor Donagh Berry’s presentation from the Moorepark Open Day is available to watch below (embed video link once available).<\/strong><\/span>\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RabrB5wjlcA?si=KjJgqGM7L-DD8S94\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark 2025<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/ebi-values-to-be-revised\/\">EBI values to be revised<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark 2025<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/20-more-grass-growth-achievable-on-dairy-farms\/\">20% more grass growth achievable on dairy farms<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/moorepark-opportunities-exist-but-cost-control-essential\/\">Moorepark: Opportunities exist, but cost control essential<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/ebi-values-to-be-revised\/\">EBI values to be revised<\/a>","id":"169925","title":"Fewer male dairy calves and more beef from the dairy herd","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Stephen-Butler-discussed-sexed-semen-strategies-at-Moorepark-2025.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Donagh-Berry-pictured-at-Moorepark-2025.png","release_date":"2025-07-02","description":"Some 25 years since its launch, the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) has become the envy of dairy breeding programmes globally, allowing Irish dairy farmers to select and breed for more profitable and efficient dairy cows for a grass-based system.","main_body":"Developed by Teagasc and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), the beauty of the EBI has been its ability to evolve, incorporating traits of importance whether from a production, fertility, cow maintenance or carbon point of view, all the time making farmers incorporating the EBI into their breeding programmes better off financially.\r\n\r\nHowever, in order to keep this breeding index in check with future market trends and projected costs, Professor Donagh Berry told the gathered crowd at Moorepark 2025 today, July 2, that the relative emphasis on individual traits and the genetic base on which the EBI is based will be updated this year.\r\n\r\n“The economic values in the EBI were last updated at the end of 2022 and they will be undergoing a review in 2025. The economic value on each trait in the EBI is defined as the expected change in profit per unit change in that trait, holding all other traits in the EBI constant,” Professor Berry noted.\r\n\r\nBased on informed estimates of future market costs and prices, each trait within the EBI is weighted according to its relative monetary value.\r\n\r\n“The EBI must be designed with future resilience in mind. Global and national markets for feed, fertiliser and energy significantly affect milk revenue and herd management and, thus, the relative importance of these traits in a breeding index,” Professor Berry commented when explaining why this review was occurring.\r\n<h2>Base animal change<\/h2>\r\nGenetic evaluations such as the EBI use a ‘base’ animal to keep results consistent over time. Ireland last changed its base for dairy cows in 2016-2017, which caused a drop of €71 in the EBI of all animals.\r\n\r\n“The old base for production and fertility was 2005 born cows, calved and milk recorded in 2007, and milk recorded in at least two of the next five years,” Professor Berry said, before adding: “This is due to be updated to a more recent base for milk, fertility, health and management traits later in 2025.”\r\n\r\nIt is expected the new base will be updated to 2015-born cows, calved and milk recorded in the 2017-2019 period. As to the consequences of the base change, Professor Berry noted: “The most important thing to know about a base change is that it has zero effect on the ranking of animals.\r\n\r\n“Using an old base can make current animals appear better than they are, which can be misleading. Changing the base affects all animals’ PTAs, often lowering them but updating the base is more about making the results clear and easy to interpret,” Professor Berry concluded.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Professor Berry was joined by Professor Stephen Butler at board 3 at the Moorepark Open Day, where they discussed Accelerating genetic gain. For more information, a recording of their presentation is available to view below:<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RabrB5wjlcA?si=ovH-60p356rHprzY\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Irish-Dairying-Innovating-for-the-future.pdf\">For more insights, their full paper from the Moorepark 2025 Open Day is available to read here<\/a>.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/20-more-grass-growth-achievable-on-dairy-farms\/\">20% more grass growth achievable on dairy farms<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/moorepark-opportunities-exist-but-cost-control-essential\/\">Moorepark: Opportunities exist, but cost control essential<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/fewer-male-dairy-calves-and-more-beef-from-the-dairy-herd\/\">Fewer male dairy calves and more beef from the dairy herd<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Moorepark: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/making-dairy-farms-more-attractive-places-to-work\/\">Making dairy farms more attractive places to work<\/a>","id":"170139","title":"EBI values to be revised","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Donagh-Berry-pictured-at-Moorepark-2025.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Cows-walking-on-a-roadway-at-Moorepark.png","release_date":"2025-07-02","description":"Farmers attending Teagasc’s flagship dairy event, Moorepark 2025, today, July 2, were presented with a clear pathway to increase grassland productivity, with Teagasc researchers sharing a strategy to increase grass growth by 20%.","main_body":"Addressing the thousands of dairy farmers gathered, Professor Michael O’Donovan and Dr. Michael Egan urged dairy farmers to realign their grassland management efforts, highlighting key actions to undertake over the short, medium and long term.\r\n\r\nProfessor O’Donovan started by quantifying the variation in grass dry matter production witnessed on dairy farms nationally, noting:\r\n\r\n“Data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey shows that the average dairy farmer grows approximately 9.5t DM\/ha of grass, whereas the average farmer measuring and recording grass covers through PastureBase Ireland grew 13.2t over 2014-2024, and the top 100 of these farms grew 15.2t DM\/ha.\r\n\r\n“Bridging the gap between these top performing farms and the average will be key going forward and our key message from today is many dairy farmers can increase the quantity of grass grown on their farms by 20%.”\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone wp-image-174337 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Michael-O-Donovan-Moorepark-2025.png\" alt=\"Michael O Donovan pictured at the Moorepark Open Day 2025\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<em>Dr. Michael O'Donovan pictured at the Moorepark Open Day 2025<\/em>\r\n<h2>What sets these farms apart?<\/h2>\r\nThe performance differences, available to view in table 1 below, that set these higher achieving farmers apart from the average were also discussed, pinpointed to their focus on soil fertility, extending the grazing season at both shoulders of the year, investing in infrastructure to make additional grazings possible, additional sward rejuvenation and the incorporation of clover.\r\n\r\n“All-in-all, the top 100 PastureBase Ireland dairy farmers are growing and utilising more grass, achieving more grazing days and are feeding less meal. This isn’t just based on farm location, we are seeing these differences of farms right across the country,” Professor O’Donovan commented.\r\n\r\n<strong> Table 1: Grassland management performance differences <\/strong>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 42.7695%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Farm productivity (t\/ha)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">9.5<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">13.2<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">15.2<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Soil fertility<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">Low<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">Medium<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">High<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Grazing season length (days)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">235<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">265<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">280<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Grazing infrastructure \/ number of grazings<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">6<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">7+<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">8+<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Concentrate usage (kg\/cow)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">1,350<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">1,100<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">800<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Area in clover (%)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">&lt;5%<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">20%<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">35%<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Area reseeding \/ over sowing<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">&lt;5%<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">5-10%<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">15-30%<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Fertiliser usage (kg N\/ha)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">170<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">190<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">200<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 25%;\"><strong>Grass utilisation (t\/ha)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.28046%;\">7.5<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 6.68269%;\">10<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 5.8063%;\">12<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2>Bridging the grass performance gap<\/h2>\r\nAcknowledging the performance gap is one thing, but implementing measures to bridge it is another, and the Teagasc researchers detailed how.\r\n\r\nThe starting point to this is correcting soil fertility through liming acidic mineral soils. Although soil pH is improving on dairy farms, 76% of soil samples tested from these are suboptimal for lime. If corrected to a pH &gt;6.5, it would facilitate the incorporation of white clover along with delivering an additional 1.5t DM\/ha of grass production, mainly stemming from improved nutrient use efficiency and the release of the soil’s locked up nitrogen and phosphorus reserves.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, by achieving 8 grazing rotations, an additional 1.3t DM\/ha of grass can be produced. Reaching this target, however, will require a major focus on spring and autumn grazing strategies.\r\n<blockquote>“We are seeing it all too much, farmers aren’t focused enough on their autumn closing targets and this is having knock-on effects on spring grass availability and potentially grass production for the remainder of the grazing season,” Professor O’Donovan noted.<\/blockquote>\r\nThe levels of reseeding nationally were also discussed and although challenging conditions over 2024 curtailed reseeding, Professor O’Donovan noted that it needs to be prioritised on many dairy farms.\r\n\r\n“Once soil fertility has been corrected, reseeding is the next step and research from Moorepark has shown that rejuvenating swards with high performing perennial ryegrass and white clover varieties selected from the Pasture Profit Index (PPI) can boost dry matter yield by 1.5-2.5t DM\/ha annually, while also making better use of the nutrients supplied,” Professor O’Donovan said.\r\n<h2>Build clover into your grassland system<\/h2>\r\nFarmers, if not already doing so, were also encouraged to incorporate white clover into their perennial ryegrass swards, with Dr. Egan commenting: “Grass-clover swards are now a proven technology and swards with 20% clover content in April are capable of supplying 70-100kg of nitrogen per hectare through the process of biological nitrogen fixation.\r\n\r\n“Along with the potential for savings on chemical nitrogen, our research has shown improved animal performance, stemming from higher intakes and sward quality characteristics.”\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone wp-image-174349 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Michael-Egan-presenting-at-the-Moorepark-Open-Day-2025.png\" alt=\"Michael Egan pictured in front of a board at the Moorepark Open Day 2025\" width=\"700\" height=\"399\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\nAlthough the key selling point of white clover swards is the reduced requirement for chemical nitrogen, Dr. Egan stressed the need for farmers to align nitrogen inputs with sward clover content and the clover plant’s ability to fix nitrogen. To do so, he encouraged farmers to follow the Teagasc fertiliser blueprint for clover swards, available to view in table 2 below.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 2: Managing nitrogen input with clover<\/strong>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>April clover content (%)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Feb<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>March<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>April<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>May<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>June <\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>(2 rot)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>July<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>(2 rot)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>August <\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>September<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Total<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" colspan=\"10\"><strong>Chemical fertiliser (kg N\/ha)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Grass sward<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>24<\/td>\r\n<td>36<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>32<\/td>\r\n<td>30<\/td>\r\n<td>28<\/td>\r\n<td>21<\/td>\r\n<td>23<\/td>\r\n<td>214<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>5%<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>35<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>175<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>10%<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>35<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>10<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>150<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>15%<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>35<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>10<\/td>\r\n<td>Soiled water<\/td>\r\n<td>10<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>130<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>20%<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>35<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>Soiled water<\/td>\r\n<td>Soiled water<\/td>\r\n<td>Soiled water<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>105<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For more insights, view Professor O’Donovan’s and Dr. Mike Egan’s presentation to the Moorepark Open Day below:<\/span><\/strong>\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cIXlTUe_iEM?si=c3MOXkxi_1xd0hk2\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Irish-Dairying-Innovating-for-the-future.pdf\">Read their full paper, titled: Management strategies to increase dry matter performance on Irish dairy farms’ here<\/a>.<\/span>","id":"169983","title":"20% more grass growth achievable on dairy farms","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-02 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Cows-walking-on-a-roadway-at-Moorepark.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/OviCast010725v2A-1024x1024.png","release_date":"2025-07-01","description":"Jonathan Higgins, who with his father Philip, runs a mid-season lambing sheep flock alongside a contract heifer-rearing system in Skreen, Co. Sligo, joins this week’s OviCast podcast.","main_body":"Joining podcast host Ciaran Lynch, Jonathan talks about their contract rearing system and in depth about the performance and management of their ewe flock.\r\n\r\nThe challenges of farming on a fragmented farm, with varying land types, and the role of multi-species swards on the farm are discussed, with Jonathan sharing his experiences of managing the latter over the past few seasons.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen to the full episode of the OviCast podcast below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/74d0a853\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishgrassland.ie\/event-detail\/sheep-event-2025\/\">Jonathan and Philip Higgins will host this year’s Irish Grassland Association Sheep Farm Walk, find out more about the event here.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/sheep\/ovicast-sheep-podcast\">Visit here for more episodes and information from the OviCast podcast<\/a>.","id":"169733","title":"Multispecies swards add the finishing touch on Sligo farm","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/OviCast010725v2A-e1751380627117.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Moorepark25-Launch-700.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-01","description":"Teagasc invites all dairy farmers and industry stakeholders to Moorepark tomorrow, Wednesday 2 July. The Moorepark’25 Open Day will take place at the Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork.","main_body":"Proudly sponsored by FBD Insurance, with additional support from Ornua and Allied Irish Bank, the theme of this year’s Moorepark Open Day is ‘<em>Innovating for the future’<\/em>.\r\n\r\nThe dairy industry has been through transformational change in the past 10 years since the removal of milk quotas. The pent-up capacity for growth was released, and milk solids output has almost doubled. However, since 2022, the dairy industry has entered a consolidation phase.\r\n\r\nSpeaking ahead of the Moorepark Open Day, Director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O’Mara said: “It is important that we take time to reflect and plan for the next phase of development for the Irish dairy industry.\r\n<blockquote>“The industry must continue to align with EU and national policy objectives, with a particular focus on lowering carbon emissions, enhancing animal welfare, improving water and air quality, and enhancing biodiversity. At the same time, dairy farms must generate financially rewarding career opportunities with a favourable work-life balance.”<\/blockquote>\r\nTo address this, Moorepark’25 will showcase current and emerging technologies and practices designed to empower farmers to increase their economic, environmental, and social sustainability. It will also provide attendees with the opportunity to examine the results of the comprehensive, innovative research programme undertaken by Teagasc, and to engage with research, advisory and education staff.\r\n\r\nAlso commenting ahead of the Moorepark Open Day, Professor Laurence Shalloo, Head of the Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation Programme, said: “The dairy industry has a consistent track record of innovation in areas for example around the uptake of the EBI, the uptake of white and red clover at farm level, the use of sexed semen, and the use of high DBI bulls to increase the beef merit of non-replacement dairy calves from the dairy herd.\r\n<blockquote>“This level of innovation and technology adoption will be key to addressing the challenges of cost control, generational renewal, improved water quality and lowering greenhouse gas emissions as the industry moves forward.”<\/blockquote>\r\n“The dairy industry has consistently responded in a positive manner to challenges in the past, and I am sure it will face the current challenges with the same focus. Moorepark’25 will provide the pathway and support to farm families to address these challenges while embracing the opportunities.”\r\n<h2>Key attractions from Moorepark<\/h2>\r\nAnother key attraction is the forum, which will reflect on the phenomenal changes that have occurred in the Irish dairy sector during the 10 years since milk quotas were removed, lessons learned and explore the challenges and opportunities that it now faces.\r\n\r\nMoorepark’25 will also feature live displays, discussions, demonstrations and workshops. Demonstrations on grazing management, reseeding, low emission slurry spreading, fertiliser type, white clover swards, calibration of fertiliser spreaders, farm infrastructure, manure storage options, body condition scoring, milk quality, calf rearing, genetics, and health and safety will take place throughout the day. A range of Irish dairy products will also be on display.\r\n\r\nWorkshops will take place around cost control and growth opportunities for dairy farm businesses from a national and international perspective as well as on milk quality.\r\n\r\nFinancial support for our research programme from the Irish government, European grants, and Dairy Levy Research Funds is gratefully acknowledged. We look forward to meeting you at Teagasc Moorepark on Wednesday, July 2.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">For more information and to plan your route to the Moorepark Open Day, visit here<\/a>.","id":"168876","title":"All roads lead to Moorepark","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/uploads\/Moorepark25-Launch-700.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/hybrid-rye-grown-at-Oak-Park-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-07-01","description":"Rye, a relatively new crop to Ireland, sparked plenty of discussion among tillage farmers at the Crops and Technology Open Day, held in Teagasc Oak Park on June 25.","main_body":"“Rye offers high yield potential, and our knowledge of its agronomy under Irish conditions has improved considerably in recent years,” Teagasc Research Officer, Richie Hackett prefaced before outlining the trial work ongoing in the Teagasc Crops Research Centre.\r\n\r\nFrom its arrival on the Irish cropping scene in 2018, the area planted under winter rye has increased slowly to approximately 3,000ha in 2024, with the bulk of these crops being hybrids – varieties claimed to be less susceptible to ergot.\r\n\r\nTo provide farmers with the confidence and tools needed to grow rye, Richie Hackett explained that extensive trial work is ongoing at Oak Park, all with the aim of producing a guide to growing rye by 2026.\r\n\r\nEarly results of this research have been promising; rye yields have matched or outperformed winter wheat yields across a number of trial sites, the higher resistance to ergot claim has held true thus far, and rye crops achieved peak yield at lower nitrogen inputs per hectare than winter wheat varieties.\r\n<blockquote>“Rye also benefits from having a longer sowing window. Planting can occur from the middle of September right through to the middle of November but ideally planting should be finished by mid-October.<\/blockquote>\r\n“Our research has shown that hybrid rye varieties typically experience much lower levels of disease pressure than winter barley or wheat. Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) can occur, but its effect on yield of rye is much less than that of barley even when sown early, while the crop is less inclined to be affected by take-all disease,” Richie Hackett added.\r\n<h2>Straw management, slugs and markets<\/h2>\r\nConor Kavanagh, a Crops Advisor based in Tipperary, discussed straw length, slug pressure and the importance of having a secure market if considering growing rye.\r\n\r\n“Hybrid rye is a very tall crop, and it produces favourable straw yields – up to 20 bales\/ac.\r\n\r\n“Careful consideration on field selection is needed, as it can be very susceptible to slug damage and problem fields or following oilseed rape crops should be avoided,” Conor Kavanagh added.\r\n\r\nHe also reminded potential growers: “Don’t plant rye unless you have a merchant that is going to take it. Not every merchant will take the crop and have a conversation before sowing.”\r\n<h2>Food applications for Irish-grown rye<\/h2>\r\nThe potential for Irish-grown rye to enter food applications was also discussed by Teagasc Walsh Scholar, Sinead Dermody who told the attending crowd of her ongoing research through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Protein-I project. Under this research, both hybrid rye and population rye varieties are being studied.\r\n\r\nWith the majority of winter rye grown in Ireland destined for animal feed, Sinead Dermody explained how her research is examining its suitability for food applications.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_168436\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"700\"]<img class=\"wp-image-168436 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/images\/Sinead-Dermody-speaking-at-Crops-and-Technology-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Sinead Dermody speaking in front of a display at the Crops and Technology Open Day\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/> Sinead Dermody presented her ongoing research as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's PROTEIN-I project at the Crops and Technology Open Day[\/caption]\r\n\r\n“We are growing up to 14 multi-purpose varieties in two locations over the last three years, in Carlow and Waterford – varieties deemed by the breeders as suitable for feed, food and distilling, and our focus is food.”\r\n<blockquote>“The preliminary outcomes so far indicate that hybrid varieties achieve higher mean yields than population varieties and this is no surprise given they have been subject to greater breeding efforts and exhibit hybrid vigour.<\/blockquote>\r\n“What’s really promising is that the hybrid varieties, while more productive in terms of grain yield, also present with higher Hagberg Falling Numbers, which is an important specification for flour functionality.”\r\n\r\nOther work on winter rye grain quality is ongoing within <a href=\"https:\/\/protein-i.ie\/\">PROTEIN-I<\/a>, which involves examining the hybrid rye grain milling and nutritional traits under high to low nitrogen application (0 kg\/ha-180 kg\/ha).\r\n\r\nAlong with collecting data from harvest 2025, further research in this area will be required in terms of flour functionality and safety.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Crops and Technology 2025<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/highlights-from-the-oak-park-open-day\/\">Highlights from the Oak Park Open Day<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Crops and Technology 2025<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/what-lies-beneath-insights-from-the-oak-park-soil-pit\/\">What lies beneath: Insights from the Oak Park soil pit<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Crops and Technology 2025<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/fast-growing-faba-beans-a-runner-in-shorter-growing-seasons\/\">Fast-growing faba beans – a runner in shorter growing seasons?<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Crops and Technology 2025<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/handle-pesticides-safely\/\">Handle pesticides safely<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Crops and Technology 2025<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/calculating-the-carbon-footprint-of-your-crops\/\">Calculating the carbon footprint of your crops<\/a>","id":"168392","title":"Time to catch on to rye?","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/hybrid-rye-grown-at-Oak-Park-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/DairyEdge-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-30","description":"ICBF business analysts, Mark Waters and Gearoid Slattery, join James Dunne on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss the National Genotyping Programme, how it has performed to date, the benefits of genotyping, some the challenges that have been faced and the opportunity for new participants in the next phase of the programme.","main_body":"We are also joined by Cork dairy farmer Sheena Murphy who outlines her experience of being in the programme and how it has benefited her herd.\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/ed7b4735\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe>\r\n<h2>Moorepark Open Day<\/h2>\r\nThe Teagasc <a href=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">Moorepark Dairy Open Day<\/a> will take place on Wednesday, 2nd July 2025, 8:30am - 5pm, at the Teagasc Animal &amp; Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996.\r\nThe theme of this year’s event is ‘Innovating for the future’.\r\nJoin us on Wednesday, 2nd July at Moorepark!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/the-dairy-edge-podcast\/\">More episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast<\/a>","id":"140523","title":"Listen: The Benefits of Genotyping","category":"","release_date_time":"2025-06-30 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/DairyEdge-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Silage-pit-rolling-700x400-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-30","description":"Silage quality and quality – Ruminant Nutrition Specialist, Dr. Aisling Claffey writes on the importance of striking a balance between dry cow feed and a quality buffer, the key parameters of quality grass silage and why chasing bulk isn’t necessarily a good thing.","main_body":"Silage quality is often overlooked as a critical element to supporting herd performance on dairy farms, with dry cow forage only making up 10-12 weeks of total winter feed requirements.\r\n\r\nSilage quality of at least 74 DMD is optimal to buffer the milking herd through the shoulders or during prolonged dry periods in the mid-season, if demand cannot be met by pasture growth.\r\n\r\nWhile much of the focus is placed on DMD and crude protein as metrics of silage quality, it is important that silage has good fermentation characteristics to ensure palatability and support high dry matter intakes. Optimal fermentation will also minimise losses from the clamp during storage, exposure to aerobic conditions and at feeding out.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 1: Key parameters for assessing quality of grass silage <\/strong>\r\n<table class=\"tblClean\" style=\"height: 444px; width: 100%;\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 44px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 44px;\" scope=\"col\">Measure<\/th>\r\n<th style=\"width: 12.5635%; height: 44px;\" scope=\"col\">Dry cows<\/th>\r\n<th style=\"width: 20.4707%; height: 44px;\" scope=\"col\">Milking cows and young stock<\/th>\r\n<th style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 44px;\" scope=\"col\">Comment<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 22px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 93.6019%; height: 22px;\" colspan=\"4\">Feed value metrics<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 22px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 22px;\">DMD%<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.5635%; height: 22px;\">68 to 70<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.4707%; height: 22px;\">74+<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 22px;\">Key determinant of overall feed value<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 44px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 44px;\">UFL (energy) per kg<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.5635%; height: 44px;\">0.72 to 0.75<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.4707%; height: 44px;\">0.83 to 0.88<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 44px;\">Higher UFL means more feed energy for milk solids and weight gain<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 44px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 44px;\">Crude protein % (CP)<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.5635%; height: 44px;\">12<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.4707%; height: 44px;\">14+<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 44px;\">Lower DMD and\/or N application reduce CP.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 44px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 44px;\">PDIE g\/kg (protein)<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.5635%; height: 44px;\">75+<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.4707%; height: 44px;\">80+<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 44px;\">Determined by UFL and CP levels in silage<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 48px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 48px;\">Intake value g\/kg LW<sup>0.75<\/sup><\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.5635%; height: 48px;\">90 to 95<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.4707%; height: 48px;\">&gt;105<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 48px;\">Higher values indicate better intake potential<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 44px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 44px;\">Potassium (K) content<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 12.5635%; height: 44px;\">&lt;2.2% for dry cows<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.4707%; height: 44px;\">&gt;2.4% no issue for milking cows<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 44px;\">High K silage fed from two weeks  pre-calving creates milk fever risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 44px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 44px;\">pH<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 33.0342%; height: 44px;\" colspan=\"2\">4.0 to 4.2 (4.4 for drier crops)<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 44px;\">Too high pH indicates poor preservation, too low may affect intake<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 44px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 44px;\">Ammonia<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 33.0342%; height: 44px;\" colspan=\"2\">Less than 8% N<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 44px;\">High ammonia indicates poor preservation and reduces intake<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 22px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 22px;\">Lactic acid<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 33.0342%; height: 22px;\" colspan=\"2\">8-10% of DM<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 22px;\">Higher values indicate a stable, palatable silage<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 22px;\">\r\n<th style=\"width: 17.768%; height: 22px;\">Ash<\/th>\r\n<td style=\"width: 33.0342%; height: 22px;\" colspan=\"2\">&lt;8% of DM<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 42.7997%; height: 22px;\">High ash indicates soil contamination<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nCutting date has an important role to play in silage quality, with earlier cutting dates allowing a balance to be struck between the proportion of digestible green leaf in the sward and total dry matter yield.\r\n\r\nMany farmers will have capitalised on good conditions through early-mid May to ensure high quality forage was reserved, but many farms are still chasing ‘bulk’ with late cuts. This negatively impacts on digestibility and protein supply from the forage as the proportion of stem increases.\r\n\r\nMore fibrous feeds also limit intake, thereby having a more pronounced impact on animal performance.\r\n\r\nSilage quality nationally averages approx. 68 DMD with a range of 58-80 DMD observed, so there is much scope for improvement on farm. Testing silage stocks annually is a step not to be overlooked, to ensure you understand the nutritional implications of available feed on your farm (see parameters outlined in Table 1).\r\n<h2>Surplus bales<\/h2>\r\nWith grass growth improved on many farms, surpluses should be removed to correct pasture quality where quality and\/or utilisation has deteriorated on individual paddocks or to make high quality silage, in advance of turning our focus to building autumn cover.\r\n<h2>Moorepark Open Day<\/h2>\r\nVisit the silage demo in the Grassland village at the Moorepark Open Day on Wednesday 2nd July to observe the impact of cutting date on cumulative yield to date and subsequent silage quality.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/national-events\/events\/moorepark-open-day.php\">Find out more about the Moorepark Open Day here<\/a>.","id":"139289","title":"Silage: Get it right on dairy farms","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-30 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-07-01 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Silage-pit-rolling-700x400-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Low-input-grassland-ACRES-scoring.png","release_date":"2025-06-29","description":"John Enda Flannelly, a Drystock Advisor based in Teagasc Claremorris, shares some useful tips for farmers looking to improve their ACRES score.","main_body":"It is that time of year for farmers who are in ACRES Co-Operation (CP) or farmers in ACRES General who availed of the Low-Input-Grassland action to have their land scored.\r\n\r\nThis scoring refers to the results-based assessment of land parcels to determine their ecological integrity and environmental quality, which then influences the payment rate a farmer receives. Each parcel receives a score of 1-10 and farmers receive a payment based off what score they get. The higher the score the higher the payment.\r\n<h2>The grassland scorecard<\/h2>\r\nThere are 10 different types of scorecards, however I will focus on the grassland scorecard which is the most common type of scorecard. But you will find that similar questions repeat throughout all these scorecards.\r\n\r\nThe first section of the scorecard deals with ecological integrity. The first question in this section asks how many positive plant indicators are present in the parcel? If these positive indicators are present, it is a sign that the grassland is semi-natural and has been managed extensively in recent years. The more positive indicators and the greater their cover, the higher the land will score.\r\n\r\nHere are a few things farmers can do to have the best possible chance of having more of these positive indicators in their parcels:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Firstly, reduce fertiliser rates in these parcels. Fertiliser will encourage more grasses to grow and not these positive indicators.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Secondly and very importantly is to not spray the parcel, as this will kill off a lot of these positive indicators.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>My final tip on this is to get your adviser out to score the parcel before topping. This will give your advisor the best chance to find as many positive indicators as they can.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAnother scorecard question a farmer may easily gain marks on is the vegetation structure question. To gain maximum marks in this question a farmer needs their field sward to be medium height throughout with positive indicators flowering when your adviser is scoring it. It is important not to have the field over-grazed or under-grazed or else you will receive less marks for this question.\r\n<h2>Threats and pressures<\/h2>\r\nThreats and pressures are the next section on the scorecard. The first question in this section deals with any damaging activities in the parcel. One common area where farmers will lose marks on this question is having a round feeder in the field with severe poaching around it. It is not against the rules to have a round feeder in the field but, it is important to keep moving it to different areas of the field to prevent poaching. Other damaging activities to look out for are dumping, burning or the removal of mature scrubs or trees.\r\n<h2>Risks to the quality of waterbodies<\/h2>\r\nThe next question where farmers can easily gain or lose marks is the risk to the quality of waterbodies in the parcel. If livestock are drinking out of a waterbody in the parcel that is being scored and the there is a clear pathway for sediment or nutrients to pollute the waterbody, the farmer will lose marks. To prevent this, farmers could put up a fence to prevent livestock entering the waterbody or take other corrective measures.\r\n<h2>Bracken and encroaching scrub<\/h2>\r\nOther areas where farmers may lose marks is the cover of bracken or encroaching scrub in a parcel.\r\n\r\nIf the bracken is forming in dense parts of the field this is where farmers may start to lose marks. It is important to keep control of this bracken and not let it spread throughout the field.\r\n\r\nLikewise, it is important to prevent immature scrub from developing in the field. So, the land needs to be managed and not just abandoned in order to gain a high score.\r\n<h2>Scoring deadline<\/h2>\r\nThere are many other ways in which you can improve your score in each parcel, so it is important to contact your advisor and discuss the best way to improve it.\r\n\r\nAny farmer in ACRES Co-Operation can avail of Non-Productive-Investments at the end of each year. There are many actions available which will receive a separate payment if approved. These actions can potentially help improve the farmers score in the following years. Farmers must have their scoring completed by the 31<sup>st<\/sup> of August 2025 by their advisor.","id":"139317","title":"Improving your ACRES score","category":"Environment","release_date_time":"2025-06-29 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-30 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Low-input-grassland-ACRES-scoring.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Mowed-silage-in-rows-Feature.png","release_date":"2025-06-29","description":"With first-cut silage saved and most ground for second cut now closed, it’s the perfect time to check your fodder budget to ensure you’ve enough ground closed. Read some key tips here:","main_body":"First-cut silage is already in the pit or bale, but there are reports that yields this year may be slightly lower than previous years. This makes it even more important to check if you’ve applied enough fertiliser and closed enough acres to meet your winter fodder needs - including an essential 15-20% buffer.\r\n\r\nPlanning carefully now will help avoid last-minute feed shortages and keep your herd well fed throughout winter. It’s better to have a little extra silage than to run short when it counts.\r\n\r\nNow is the time to do a fodder budget. Calculate how much silage your herd will need over the winter months, factoring in your current stocks and what you expect from second cut. Don’t forget to add a 15–20% buffer for a potentially long winter or dry August that could affect grass growth.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you find you’re short, consider your options:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Plan for a third cut, if you have enough fertiliser allowances and the weather conditions are favourable.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Look into sourcing silage off-farm.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Explore alternative feeds to fill the gap.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/grassland\/grassland-calculators\/\">If you are unsure of the above, you the Teagasc Grassland calculators to compare your feed requirements against your stocks<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/demonstration-farms\/future-beef-programme\/factsheets-for-suckler-farmers\/\">For more tips and advice on nutrition and feed management, view the Future Beef Programme’s factsheets on Nutrition and Feed Management here<\/a>.","id":"139287","title":"Are you confident in your winter fodder budget?","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-29 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-30 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Mowed-silage-in-rows-Feature.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Pig-Edge-thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-28","description":"Providing a fascinating insight into the Key Performance Indicators attained on pig farms across Ireland last year, Specialised Pig Advisor, Ger McCutcheon joins this episode of the Pig Edge podcast to delve further into the findings from the National Herd Performance Report.","main_body":"The report provides the detailed performance analysis of the pig farms that participated in the Teagasc Profit Monitor (PM) recording system in 2024.\r\n\r\n<strong>For full insights, listen to into the Pig Edge podcast below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/130e5e18\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nProduced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/pigs\/the-pig-edge-podcast\/\">more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast are available here<\/a>.","id":"139285","title":"Analysing the National Herd Performance Report","category":"Pigs &amp; Poultry","release_date_time":"2025-06-28 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-30 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Pig-Edge-thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Health-and-Safety-pic-Moorepark-2025-300x200-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-28","description":"Along with showcasing the latest research findings, new technologies and latest advice for running successful dairy farms, the Moorepark Open Day will also serve to heighten awareness among farm families.","main_body":"Taking place next Wednesday, July 2, farm families are invited to explore an interactive farming health and safety trail, designed to promote practice safety awareness on farms. There’s also the opportunity to win one of four €250 FBD hotel vouchers for taking part.\r\n\r\nThe trail invites attendees to visit at least three of six key safety demonstrations, each focusing on essential farm safety topics including:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Farm machinery blind spots,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Working at height,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Livestock handling, facilities,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Health and wellbeing,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Chainsaw safety,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>ATV safety.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAt each demonstration, participants will collect a sticker on a specially designed trail card. Completed cards can be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win one of three €250 vouchers for an FBD Hotels &amp; Resorts break, a perfect reward for families who prioritise safety on their farms. An additional €250 voucher is available to the most meaningful and inspiring description of ‘What Farming Safely means to me’.\r\n\r\n“This initiative is all about making safety accessible, engaging and family friendly,” said Laurence Shalloo, Head of Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation programme at Teagasc.\r\n<blockquote>“By bringing safety demonstrations to life and adding a bit of fun, we’re helping reinforce critical behaviours that can save lives and protect farmers from injury.”<\/blockquote>\r\nThe initiative is proudly supported by Teagasc and FBD Insurance, two leading organisations committed to enhancing safety, sustainability and wellbeing in Irish agriculture. Participants can pick up their trail cards at the Dairy Open Day starting point in Moorepark and begin their journey through the six learning stations at their own pace.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/national-events\/events\/moorepark-open-day.php\">For more information and to plan your route to the Moorepark Open Day, visit here<\/a>.","id":"139283","title":"Moorepark Open Day to feature Farming Health &#038; Safety Trail","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-28 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-30 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Health-and-Safety-pic-Moorepark-2025-300x200-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/a-replanted-forest-700x524-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-27","description":"Teagasc Forestry Development Officer, Kevin O’Connell writes on reforestation, covering aspects such as ground preparation, replanting options and pest control.","main_body":"Once a forest has been clearfelled, the same area needs to be restocked with a new generation of trees. The focus of this reforestation operation is to provide an ideal planting environment, to encourage strong growth of the most suitable tree species and to minimise losses or growth delays.\r\n\r\nIn Ireland, clearfelling and subsequent replanting are governed by the Forestry Act 2014. Applicants who receives a felling licence are legally obliged to replant the land after clearfelling unless an exemption is granted under specific scenarios, as outlined under section 5 of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/media\/website\/crops\/forestry\/advice\/Felling-and-Reforestation-Policy.pdf\">Felling and Reforestation Policy.<\/a> A felling licence will usually specify details of how and when replanting should occur. Generally replanting must be completed within two years of felling.\r\n\r\nIt can take up to four years to successfully re-establish a forest after clearfelling. Activities associated with reforestation can include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Ground preparation (mounding, windrowing or brash removal),<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use of dipped trees (pre-treated with insecticide),<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Planting and filling in (the replacement of failures),<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Fertiliser application,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Fencing (if needed),<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Vegetation control,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pine weevil control.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Ground preparation<\/h2>\r\nThe successful reforestation of a clearfelled site begins at the ground preparation stage. The type of ground preparation will be dependent on a range of site factors including soil type, slope and drainage status. Brash mats and post-harvest tops and branches are normally tidied up into windrows, typically 10 to 12 metres apart. This work is usually carried out by tracked excavator, with additional drainage or ground preparation such as mounding carried out between rows, according to assessment of the demands of the site.\r\n\r\nBrash removal from the site may be an option, suited to better sites where existing site nutrition, ground conditions and environmental conditions allow. Nutrient loss can be reduced by leaving the brash on site until the needles turn brown and fall off. While brash bundling operations may be cost-neutral, the main benefit is the resultant tidier nature of the reforestation area, which may lead to lower site preparation costs.\r\n\r\nOn large sites, tracks for quad bikes should be planned and constructed to facilitate operations such as plant distribution, weed control and management of insect pests such as weevil.\r\n<h2>Replanting options<\/h2>\r\nReplanting with the same tree species is a common choice with commercial plantations like Sitka spruce. This conifer high forest option will maintain a similar or improved timber yield, but owners may also wish to consider additional objectives for their new generation of trees. For example, to encourage biodiversity and resilience tree species diversification can be an option.\r\n\r\nThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ie\/en\/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine\/services\/climate-resilient-reforestation-pilot-scheme\/\">Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme<\/a> is a pilot initiative launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in July 2024. It has an annual current limit of 525ha, with a maximum 12ha per application. This scheme offers financial support to forest owners who wish to reforest for a different purpose and to build resilience in response to the challenges that climate brings to Irish forests. The scheme can build capacity for more sustainable forests that can produce high-quality timber products and deliver important ecosystem services, such as protecting and improving soil and water quality. Approved applicants can choose from three different elements in the Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme: Reforestation for Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), Reforestation for Native Forests and Reforestation for Biodiversity and Water.\r\n<h2>Plants and planting<\/h2>\r\nIn forestry terms, young trees are referred to as plants (transplants). The species of trees chosen will have been indicated in the felling licence application. Trees should only be bought from a registered forest nursery and should be ordered, where possible, well in advance of planting. The plants should have a strong fibrous root system and a straight stem. Genetically improved planting stock have been proven to boost growth, stem form and wood properties and should be used where possible.\r\n\r\nPlanting and subsequent filling-in should take place between November and March, depending on the weather, tree species and site type. The planting season may be extended by using either cold stored or containerised plants.\r\n<h2>Fertiliser<\/h2>\r\nPhosphorus is the most commonly applied fertiliser on newly planted trees to promote early tree growth, usually in the form of Ground Rock Phosphate (GRP). Each post-harvest site should be assessed on its merits in terms of soil types, drainage and nutrition status. Fertiliser, where needed, must be applied between the months of April and August. This is to maximise fertiliser uptake and to minimise the risk of loss from the site. It is highly unlikely that an application of Nitrogen will be needed on a site that formerly grew a successful forest crop.\r\n<h2>Fencing<\/h2>\r\nCheck fence line and repair or replace where necessary. Browsing animals will kill or severely damage young trees by bark stripping, eating shoots, trampling etc.\r\n\r\nVegetation control\r\n\r\nVegetation such as briar, willow, gorse and willowherb can quickly colonise clearfelled sites and timely control of vegetation is critical to successful reforestation. Vegetation control can either be manual or chemical. To be most effective in terms of effort and cost, vegetation control should be carefully carried out at the start of the growing season.\r\n\r\nManual vegetation control may involve either trampling or cutting competing vegetation around newly planted trees. Chemical control involves the use of an appropriate herbicide as a directed spray around trees. The choice of herbicide depends on the type of weeds, the tree species and the time of year. A cowl or guard should be used to protect the trees when applying the herbicide. Any chemical application required should carried out in full adherence to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/sustainable-use-directive\/\">Sustainable Use Directive<\/a>.\r\n<h2>Large pine weevil control<\/h2>\r\nFelling a coniferous crop produces a lot of potential breeding material for large pine weevil. Trees used for restocking are liable to be heavily attacked by adult pine weevils, feeding on the stem from the root collar upwards. Heavy damage can completely girdle stems and cause tree losses. This will increase the re-establishment costs substantially through the cost of insecticide application, replacing plants and additional weeding.\r\n\r\nWith the pine weevil, there is a tendency for two peaks of damage to occur - one in spring before egg laying and the other in late summer before the adults hibernate. It is necessary to protect the plants directly through dipping and\/or careful spraying with an insecticide like Acetamiprid. Trees can be purchased from the nursery dipped or herbicide can be sprayed on the planted young trees. It is important to note that the knapsack application of Acetamiprid is only effective for approx. six weeks, so predicting the optimum time of application is critical. When spraying for pine weevil, two applications are generally necessary - one in March and again in July. Only one spraying may be required in the first year, if plants are dipped. Once trees are established, no further treatments are generally required over the rotation.\r\n\r\nIntegrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable pest management approach that takes the ecology of the pest species into consideration and employs a variety of pest management methods which can be used singly or combined. IPM aims to take into account the costs and benefits of each method regarding its impact on producers, society and environment. For further information, please see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/media\/website\/crops\/forestry\/advice\/Managing-Pine-Weevil---Methods-and-Options.pdf\">Teagasc publication on Managing Pine Weevil<\/a>.\r\n<h2>Time to pause and consider options<\/h2>\r\nReforestation allows forest owners an opportunity to pause and consider their options before choosing the next rotation’s path. The owner’s objectives may have changed from their first crop of trees to reflect the multi-functional nature of forestry. It is advisable to have an intergenerational discussion on what way the family want to proceed with their forestry enterprise.\r\n\r\nFor further information on reforestation and all aspects of forestry, contact your local Teagasc Forestry Advisor or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/forestry\">visit the Teagasc Forestry Development Department webpage here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/forestry\/organising-a-timber-sales-contract.php\">Organising a timber sales contract<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/forestry\/controlling-the-conifer-harvest-timber-security.php\">Controlling the conifer harvest: Timber security<\/a>","id":"139281","title":"Reforestation – the things you need to know","category":"Forestry","release_date_time":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/a-replanted-forest-700x524-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Oak-Park-soil-pit.png","release_date":"2025-06-27","description":"Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist, Veronica Nyhan revisits the walk-in soil pit demonstration from the Crops and Technology Open Day, revealing the impact of compaction and highlighting solutions to improve soil health.","main_body":"At the Oak Park Crops and Technology Open Day, held on Wednesday, June 25, visitors had the opportunity to explore our walk-in soil pit.\r\n\r\nThe pit was located on a Luvisol soil type, locally referred to as ‘difficult’, and positioned on the turning headland of a field parcel, intersecting a tramline near the field entrance.  As a result, the cumulative effects of repeated trafficking and tillage on soil structure were clearly visible.\r\n\r\nOne of the most noticeable features of soil compaction observed was a platy structure. This type of structure, characterised by horizontal, flat, plate-like aggregates, restricts both water infiltration and root growth.  While such structures are typically found deeper in the soil profile, at this site they were present near the surface, indicating significant compaction and poor soil health.\r\n\r\nA distinct plough pan was also observed at approximately 25cm depth, formed by continuous cultivation at this level.  In some areas above the plough pan, the soil appeared quite friable, with small, rounded aggregates and a well-developed root system. However, the presence of the plough pan hindered water drainage and limited plant access to deeper water reserves, thereby reducing the soil’s resilience to extreme weather conditions.\r\n<h2>Addressing the issue<\/h2>\r\nEnhancing soil organic matter is one approach to addressing these issues. Increasing organic matter can significantly improve soil structure, which in turn promotes better root growth, drainage, workability, and trafficability. It also boosts the soil’s water-holding capacity - particularly important in lighter soils - while supplying nutrients, enhancing nutrient retention, and supporting soil biology.  A richer and more diverse biological community further aids the development of stable soil structure.\r\n\r\nWhere organic manures are not available, cover crops can play a vital role in mitigating some of the adverse effects of arable farming on soil structure, as demonstrated in the soil pit at Oak Park.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139150\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/A-variety-of-cover-crops-grown-alongside-the-Oak-Park-soil-pit.png\" alt=\"A variety of cover crops grown alongside the Oak Park soil pit\" width=\"700\" height=\"319\" \/>\r\n\r\nWhile often promoted for their ability to capture excess nutrients, certain deep-rooted cover crops may also contribute to the remediation of sub-surface compaction in tillage systems.  Through the canopy they provide, and their stabilising living root system, cover crops protect the soil from degradation over the winter period, while also providing food for soil macro and micro fauna. The substantial biomass they are capable of producing, both above and below ground, contributes to pool of organic matter once incorporated into the soil the following spring.\r\n\r\nHowever, to maximise their benefits, it is essential to choose the right cover crop species for the intended purpose, ensure it fits within the farm’s rotation plan and sow it at the appropriate time.\r\n<h2>Highlights from the Crops and Technology Open Day<\/h2>\r\nHighlights from the Teagasc Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park, Carlow are brought to you via this week's Tillage Edge podcast.\r\n\r\nMichael Hennessy chats with Dr. Ewen Mullins about the event and farmer feedback, Veronica Nyhan gives a tour of the soil pit and Jack Jameson discusses his wheat variety trials.\r\n\r\nPacked with practical insights and research updates, this episode captures key moments from a busy and engaging event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/45a65bed\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/crops\/fast-growing-faba-beans--a-runner-in-shorter-growing-seasons.php\">Fast-growing faba beans – a runner in shorter growing seasons?<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/crops\/handle-pesticides-safely.php\">Handle pesticides safely<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/crops\/calculating-the-carbon-footprint-of-your-crops.php\">Calculating the carbon footprint of your crops<\/a>","id":"139149","title":"What lies beneath: Insights from the Oak Park soil pit","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Oak-Park-soil-pit.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Tillage-Edge-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-26","description":"Highlights from the Teagasc Crops & Technology Open Day in Oak Park, Carlow are brought to you via this week's Tillage Edge podcast.","main_body":"Michael Hennessy chats with Dr. Ewen Mullins about the event and farmer feedback, Veronica Nyhan gives a tour of the soil pit and Jack Jameson discusses his wheat variety trials.\r\n\r\nPacked with practical insights and research updates, this episode captures key moments from a busy and engaging event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/45a65bed\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/crops\/the-tillage-edge-podcast\/\">Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com, more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast is available here<\/a>.","id":"139269","title":"Highlights from the Oak Park Open Day","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-06-26 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Tillage-Edge-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Louhi-fast-growing-bean-variety.png","release_date":"2025-06-26","description":"<em>Dr. Sheila Alves, pictured above, discussed fast-growing faba bean research ongoing at Oak Park as part of Crops and Technology 2025.<\/em>","main_body":"As discussed at the Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park yesterday, June 25, researchers in Teagasc are investigating fast-growing bean varieties as a potential solution to this challenge.\r\n\r\nSpeaking at the event organised in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal, Dr. Sheila Alves highlighted early findings from Teagasc trials on fast-growing beans. She also informed the attending growers and agronomists of the latest findings on inter-cropping research which has been expanded from a research farm setting to commercial farms.\r\n\r\nDr. Alves explained. “Fast-growing beans, sown on the same date as standard faba bean varieties, can be harvested three to four weeks earlier due to their shorter life cycle. They tend to have a smaller canopy and seed size, which influences sowing rates - ~60 seeds\/m2 for fast-growing beans versus 40 seeds\/m2 for conventional faba bean varieties.”\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone size-full wp-image-134409\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Sheila-Alves-Oak-Park-2025.png\" alt=\"Dr. Sheila Alves, pictured above, discussed fast-growing faba bean research ongoing at Oak Park as part of Crops and Technology 2025.\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"caption\"><em>Dr. Sheila Alves, pictured above, discussed fast-growing faba bean research ongoing at Oak Park as part of Crops and Technology 2025.<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen standardised to 14% moisture content, Oak Park trials have demonstrated promising early results. Standard faba bean varieties like Lynx yielded 2.4t\/ha and Victus 3.1t\/ha when sown at 40 seeds\/m<sup>2<\/sup> on April 17, 2024, and harvested on September 18, 2024. When sown on the same date at a seeding rate of 80 seeds\/m<sup>2<\/sup>, fast-growing bean varieties Louhi and Vire yielded 3.1t\/ha and 4.2t\/ha, respectively, when harvested on August 24, 2024.\r\n<blockquote>“While fast-growing beans may not outperform standard varieties under optimal conditions, they offer valuable alternatives when weather conditions are less than ideal. The fast-growing bean varieties grown at our trials on a sandy soil in Oak Park were ready to harvest approximately three weeks earlier than the standard varieties,” Dr. Alves noted.<\/blockquote>\r\nAlthough early days in this research, Dr. Alves explained that studies will continue to optimise sowing dates and rates, while varieties available in Europe have been identified and will be trialled at Oak Park in the coming seasons.\r\n\r\nDr. Alves also gave a brief overview of Teagasc’s research in the area of intercropping, noting that the trials in Oak Park have been expanded to commercial farm level. Over the 2024 cropping season, a number of farmers grew intercropped mixes of field pea and faba bean, beside a sole pea crop. Although research from Oak Park had pointed to potential yields of ~8t\/ha for the mix crop at a total seed rate of 100 seeds\/m<sup>2<\/sup>, differing results were witnessed at commercial farm level.\r\n\r\n“Average yields on the mix crop in the commercial farms were closer to 5.5t\/ha, comparable to the sole pea crop sown at 80 seeds\/m<sup>2<\/sup>. Why? On these farms, the pea tended to dominate, growing taller and outperforming the beans, which struggled to form pods despite flowering. For this season, we have revised our seeding rates, moving to 80 seeds\/m<sup>2<\/sup>, while maintaining the same ratio of pea:bean”.\r\n<h2>Battling the Bruchid beetle<\/h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-134410\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Antoine-Pichon-Oak-Park-2025.png\" alt=\"speaking at the Crops and Technology Open Day, Antoine Pichon\" width=\"700\" height=\"524\" \/>\r\n\r\nAlso speaking at the Crops and Technology Open Day, Antoine Pichon, pictured above, a PhD candidate collaborating with Teagasc and SETU, detailed his research in the area of the Bruchid beetle, a pest that significantly impacts faba bean grain quality and marketability.\r\n<blockquote>“In continental Europe, faba bean seeds are graded by damage: under 3% damage qualifies for human consumption; 3-10% for animal feed; and above 10% makes them unsuitable for market,” he said.<\/blockquote>\r\n“Our surveys in 2023 and 2024 found widespread Bruchid beetle populations. The 2023 season had high infestation levels, but damage rates were generally lower in 2024.”\r\n\r\nPichon’s research aims to develop new control methods, monitor insecticide effectiveness and study natural predators of the beetle.\r\n\r\nFarmers interested in participating in the bruchid beetle study can contact Antoine Pichon at <a href=\"mailto:antoine.pichon@teagasc.ie\">antoine.pichon@teagasc.ie<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/crops\/calculating-the-carbon-footprint-of-your-crops.php\">Calculating the carbon footprint of your crops<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/crops\/handle-pesticides-safely.php\">Handle pesticides safely<\/a>","id":"134408","title":"Fast-growing faba beans – a runner in shorter growing seasons?","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-06-26 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-26 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Louhi-fast-growing-bean-variety.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/01-Teagasc-25-6-2025-pic-1-700x466-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-25","description":"Pictured at the Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park, organised by Teagasc in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal, were Minister Michael Healy-Rae and Declan Kealy, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  Picture: Dylan Vaughan","main_body":"Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae, T.D., called on farmers as professional users of pesticides to ensure that plant protection products are used safely in accordance with the product label.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139267\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/02-Teagasc-25-6-2025-pic-2-1-700x466-1.jpg\" alt=\"Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park, organized by Teagasc and the Irish Farmers Journal, showing Minister Michael Healy-Rae and Declan Kealy from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Pictured at the Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park, organised by Teagasc in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal, were Minister Michael Healy-Rae and Declan Kealy, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  Picture: Dylan Vaughan<\/p>\r\nSpeaking at the<strong> <\/strong>Crops and Technology Open Day, held by Teagasc at its Crops Research and Innovation Centre at Oak Park, Carlow, in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal, Minister Healy-Rae said: <em>“I am reminding farmers of the importance of handling pesticides safely in accordance with the instructions on the approved product label.<\/em>\r\n<blockquote>“Wear the appropriate personal protection equipment when working with pesticides and read the label to avoid risk to yourself and anyone working with these chemicals.”<\/blockquote>\r\nA broad range of technology on the efficient use of pesticides was demonstrated at the open day including GPS controlled spraying, automatic nozzle switching technology, sensor-controlled boom height control to reduce drift and sensor-controlled ‘patch’ spraying technology to identify crop areas for attention.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139268\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/01-Teagasc-25-6-2025-pic-1-700x466-1.jpg\" alt=\"Group photo at the Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park, organized by Teagasc and the Irish Farmers Journal, featuring Professor Pat Dillon (Teagasc Director of Research), Anne Marie Dillon (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine), Declan Kealy (DAFM), Minister Michael Healy-Rae, and Francis Bligh (Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist).\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Pictured at the Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park, organised by Teagasc in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal, were: Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research Teagasc; Anne Marie Dillon, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM); Declan Kealy, DAFM; Minister Michael Healy-Rae; and Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist.<\/p>\r\nTeagasc Health and Safety advisors partnered with staff from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Pesticide Control Division to demonstrate the essential requirements of safe pesticide use, highlighting the importance of farm safety.\r\n\r\nTeagasc Health and Safety Specialist, Francis Bligh advised: “Those who use professional plant protection products must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) as a Professional User (PU). This involves completion of the required training.\r\n<blockquote>“Sprayer, or pesticide applicator, should be tested and in good working order and properly calibrated. Using suitable personal protective equipment, safe rinsing of chemical containers and disposal of sprayer washings are also prerequisites for safe use of pesticides”.<\/blockquote>\r\nThe Teagasc Specialist called on farmers to give particular attention to the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). A recent UCD study based on an on-line survey among Irish farmers on compliance with pesticide application rules found that while there was good overall compliance, PPE usage received the lowest score (65.5%) among a range of compliance categories.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0147651323001963\">Find out more about the UCD study here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nInformation on the safe storage, handling and use of farm chemicals, including pesticides, along with risk prevention strategies is available in the Health and Safety Authority’s Farm Safety Code of Practice and Risk Assessment document.","id":"139266","title":"Handle pesticides safely","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-06-25 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/01-Teagasc-25-6-2025-pic-1-700x466-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/04-Teagasc-25-6-2025-700x466-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-25","description":"Pictured at the launch were (back L-R) Dr Siobhan Jordan, Teagasc; Michael Lynch, ICBF; Jim O Toole, CEO Bord Bia; Professor Frank O Mara, Teagasc Director; and John Spink, Teagasc. Front (L-R) Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD and Donal O ‘Brien, Teagasc.","main_body":"The new tillage capability within AgNav, launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D., will provide tillage farmers with support to identify mitigation strategies for their farm to deliver on climate action.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139265\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/03-Teagasc-25-6-2025-1-700x466-1.jpg\" alt=\"Group photo at the launch event featuring (back row, left to right) Dr. Siobhan Jordan (Teagasc), Michael Lynch (ICBF), Jim O’Toole (CEO Bord Bia), Professor Frank O’Mara (Teagasc Director), and John Spink (Teagasc); front row (left to right) Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD and Donal O’Brien (Teagasc).\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Pictured at the launch were (back L-R) Dr Siobhan Jordan, Teagasc; Michael Lynch, ICBF; Jim O Toole, CEO Bord Bia; Professor Frank O Mara, Teagasc Director; and John Spink, Teagasc. Front (L-R) Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD and Donal O ‘Brien, Teagasc.<\/p>\r\n“The tillage sector has a major role to play in achieving Ireland’s climate targets,” Minster Heydon said at Oak Park, adding: “I welcome this new development in AgNav which allows farmers to understand their emissions profile and to identify ways of making further sustainability improvements at farm level.”\r\n\r\nAgNav was developed as a collaboration between Teagasc, the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) and Bord Bia, and is a farmer-centric platform designed to help farmers measure and manage the environmental impact of their operations.\r\n\r\nThe addition of tillage marks a significant advancement in sustainability tools for Irish tillage farmers. The first phase of the development of AgNav provided this facility for dairy and beef enterprises.\r\n\r\n“Irish tillage farmers have long suspected their products had a low carbon footprint, but up until now could only calculate it using international default emissions factors,” Director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O’Mara said.\r\n<blockquote>“Early results from the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) developed indicate their carbon footprints are very low, in comparison to international supplies.<\/blockquote>\r\n“The addition of tillage to AgNav will help support Ireland's commitment to sustainable agriculture and will offer a pathway for tillage farmers to demonstrate their environmental credentials and contribute to national climate goals,” Professor O’Mara commented.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139263\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/04-Teagasc-25-6-2025-700x466-1.jpg\" alt=\"official opening of the Crops and Technology Open Day\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Pictured at the official opening of the Crops and Technology Open Day organised by Teagasc in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal, in Teagasc Oak Park were: (L-R) John Spink, Teagasc; Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD; Dr Jack Kennedy, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal; and Liam Woulfe, Teagasc Authority.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>An important development<\/h2>\r\nThe addition of tillage to AgNav will enable farmers to calculate the carbon footprint of their crops using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model specifically tailored for Ireland. Teagasc collaborated with Tirlán to develop a LCA model specifically for Irish tillage farming systems.\r\n\r\nTeagasc’s tillage LCA model follows global standards, evaluating the carbon footprint of native grains, from cradle to farm-gate. Hence, the scope of the model extends from the acquisition of raw materials through to the harvesting of crops. Teagasc’s tillage LCA model utilises national information on agricultural emissions and carbon capture and retention (sequestration) to determine carbon footprint as CO<sub>2<\/sub> emissions per tonne of grain produced.\r\n\r\nWelcoming the development, Head of the Crops, Environment and Land use Programme in Teagasc, John Spink said: “This is an important development for growers and for the tillage sector. Farmers will be able to sign-up and get a demonstration of how to use the system. I would encourage all growers to register and use AgNav so that we can get a good view of the carbon footprint of Irish tillage crops.”\r\n\r\nDr Siobhán Jordan, Head of Teagasc Technology Transfer office, added: “Teagasc and its partners ICBF and Bord Bia are committed to the ongoing development of the AgNav tool, and plans are in place to include other farming enterprises in the years ahead.\r\n<blockquote>“It facilitates informed decision making by farmers to identify the actions for their own individual farms that will have the greatest impact in terms of reducing Greenhouse gas emissions and capturing carbon.”<\/blockquote>\r\nThe Crops and Technology Open day in Oak Park is organised in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Journal.  The Open Day covers the latest research on all the main tillage crops and horticultural field crops and a major machinery demonstration, with a particular focus on sprayers and the technology available for more accurate applications.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/environment\/climate-change--air-quality\/signpost-programme\/signpost-advisory-programme\/agnav\/\">To learn more about AgNav visit here<\/a>.","id":"139262","title":"Calculating the carbon footprint of your crops","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-06-25 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/04-Teagasc-25-6-2025-700x466-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/BeefEdge-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-25","description":"Noel Prunty and Liam McWeeney from Teagasc Ballyhaise College join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on breeding season and how the bulls performed finishing under 16 months.","main_body":"<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/50a30d8b\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nNoel gives a review of calving season 2025 and discusses how AI was used for the start of the breeding season before the stock bull.\r\n\r\nLiam highlights the management of the heifers calving at 24 months while Noel discusses grassland management on the farm and managing the different grazing groups to maintain quality. Liam also highlights the U16 month bull performance and the management of the bulls during the finishing period.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/thebeefedge\">More episodes from the Beef Edge podcast.<\/a>","id":"139261","title":"Listen: Teagasc Ballyhaise College Beef Farm Update","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-25 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/BeefEdge-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Chloe-Goggins-Photography.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-25","description":"Aonghusa Fahy addressing crowds at Agri Aware’s Open Farm 2025 on June 15. Photo: Chloe Goggins Photography","main_body":"Hosted for the first time in Galway, the event offered the public an immersive and educational glimpse into the heart of Irish beef farming, and it didn’t disappoint.\r\n\r\nFrom early morning, families, schoolchildren and farming enthusiasts made their way to the 35-cow suckler farm run by Aonghusa Fahy, his wife Olivia, and their two daughters Kayla and Hallie. Blessed with clear skies and a lively atmosphere, the Open Farm event was hailed as a tremendous success by organisers, visitors and the local community alike.\r\n<h2>An open gate to education<\/h2>\r\nThe event formed part of Agri Aware’s nationwide initiative to bring consumers closer to the realities of food production and rural life. Aonghusa, a full-time Agricultural Science and Construction teacher as well as a farmer and participant in Teagasc’s Future Beef Programme, proved an ideal host - combining practical insight with a passion for education.\r\n<blockquote>“This was about showing people where their food comes from, what it takes to produce quality Irish beef and how sustainability is part of that process,” Aonghusa Fahy said.<\/blockquote>\r\n“It was brilliant to see so many people asking questions, getting stuck in and leaving with a deeper appreciation for farming.”\r\n\r\nThroughout the day, visitors travelled along a nature trail on the farm, with designated learning zones covering key topics such as beef production, biodiversity, water quality and soil health, with experts from Teagasc and ABP available to answer queries. Demonstrations of agri-tech and precision farming tools allowed attendees to see firsthand how technology is shaping the future of agriculture.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139257\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Aonghusa-Fahy-addressing-crowds-at-Agri-Awares-Open-Farm-2025-on-June-15.jpg\" alt=\"Aonghusa Fahy addressing crowds at Agri Aware’s Open Farm 2025 on June 15.\" width=\"350\" height=\"524\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Aonghusa Fahy addressing crowds at Agri Aware’s Open Farm 2025 on June 15. Photo: Chloe Goggins Photography<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Live demos and family fun<\/h2>\r\nOne of the event’s standout features was the series of live demonstrations. Francis Bligh from Teagasc held regular demonstrations throughout the day on how to calve a cow and lamb a ewe, with the life-like models of both proving to be a great hit with adults and children alike.\r\n\r\nFrancis Bligh commented: “There was great engagement and discussion. Aonghusa’s farm shows the importance of having happy and healthy livestock and having good management and facilities to keep everybody on the farm safe and healthy. The cow simulators helped to encourage conversation among young and old about staying safe on the farm.”\r\n\r\nCrowds gathered for sheep shearing demos with Karol Devaney from Sligo and his trusty sheepdog, which were met with enthusiastic applause - especially from younger attendees seeing these rural skills in action for the first time.\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone size-full wp-image-139258\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Karol-Devaney-pictured-during-the-sheep-shearing-demonstration-at-the-Agri-Aware-Open-Farm-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Karol Devaney pictured during the sheep shearing demonstration at the Agri Aware Open Farm 2025\" width=\"350\" height=\"525\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Karol Devaney pictured during the sheep shearing demonstration at the Agri Aware Open Farm 2025.  Photo: Chloe Goggins Photography<\/p>\r\nChef Eoin Sheehan delighted audiences with live cooking demonstrations, preparing beef dishes that showcased the taste and quality of locally sourced Irish meat. His interactive sessions emphasised the connection between farm and fork, highlighting how food provenance plays a role in both nutrition and sustainability.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139259\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Chef-Eoin-Sheehan-captivated-audiences-with-live-cookery-demonstrations-at-the-Agri-Aware-Open-Farm.jpg\" alt=\"Chef Eoin Sheehan captivated audiences with live cookery demonstrations at the Agri Aware Open Farm\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Chef Eoin Sheehan captivated audiences with live cookery demonstrations at the Agri Aware Open Farm. Photo: Chloe Goggins Photography.<\/p>\r\nChildren were especially well catered to, with a buzzing Kids’ Zone filled with activities such as face painting, games and tractor simulator rides. Farm machinery displays drew large crowds, and the mobile pet farm with the calves, pigs and poultry kept many entertained throughout the day.\r\n\r\nA live panel on the day featured Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, Stephen Connolly, ABP Agri Sustainability Manager, and Teresa Roche, IFA and was chaired by AgriAware Chairperson Shay Galvin. They talked about how important days like this were to showcase all the excellent practices on beef farms to improve animal welfare, to reduce their environmental impact by using low emission slurry spreading techniques (LESS), protected urea and other technologies being adopted to help future-proof farms and ensure generational renewal into the future.\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-long-alt alignnone size-full wp-image-139260\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/participants-in-the-live-panel-discussion.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured from left to right are participants in the live panel discussion: Stephen Connolly, ABP Agri Sustainability Manager; Shay Galvin, Agri Aware Chairperson; Teresa Roche, IFA; and Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" data-warning=\"Long alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Pictured from left to right are participants in the live panel discussion: Stephen Connolly, ABP Agri Sustainability Manager; Shay Galvin, Agri Aware Chairperson; Teresa Roche, IFA; and Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>School visits lay the groundwork<\/h2>\r\nThe event followed a special Schools Day on Thursday, June 12<sup>th<\/sup>, which saw 400 local primary students welcomed onto the farm for curriculum-linked learning experiences. Pupils moved through themed educational stations, learning how food is produced, the role of animals in farming, and the importance of protecting the environment. Many teachers praised the format for offering a rich, hands-on supplement to classroom learning.\r\n\r\n“This was one of the most engaging school outings we’ve had,” said one Galway-based primary school teacher. “The students were learning, laughing and connecting to the land in ways that textbooks alone can’t offer.”\r\n<h2>A shared success<\/h2>\r\nAgri Aware’s Chairman, Shay Galvin commended the Fahy family for their generosity and commitment to public engagement:\r\n<blockquote>“The Fahys opened not just their gates but their lives to help educate and inspire,” he said. “Their efforts demonstrate the best of Irish farming - progressive, transparent and community-centred.”<\/blockquote>\r\nLocal Teagasc Advisor, Keith Fahy commented: “I would like to sincerely thank the Fahy family for all the work they put into the event. Aonghusa is always positive and constantly driving the farm forward and it is great to be able to work with him.\r\n\r\n“I would like to thank everyone who made the event possible, especially to Agri Aware for all the hard work they put in. It was great to have over 400 primary school students on farm on the Thursday to showcase the importance of family run farms. The farm was alive with excitement and positivity on Sunday, and we were thrilled to welcome over 1,800 people onto the Fahy farm. People travelled from all over and it was fantastic to see.”\r\n\r\nThe Ardrahan event was one of two Open Farm events taking place across the country over the weekend, with the Doran family hosting a dairy-themed event in Donadea, Co. Kildare. Together, these events formed part of a larger mission to reconnect people with the origins of their food and the people who produce it.\r\n<h2>Building bridges between urban and rural<\/h2>\r\nFor many in attendance, especially those with little prior exposure to farming, the Open Farm was a chance to ask questions, explore the countryside and see the dedication behind food production. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many calling for more such events to take place annually.\r\n<blockquote>“The kids loved every minute, and I learned so much myself,” said one visitor from Galway City. “It’s easy to forget what goes into putting food on our plates. Today was a real eye-opener.”<\/blockquote>\r\n<h2>Looking ahead<\/h2>\r\nAs the day wound down and the last of the visitors departed, Aonghusa and his family reflected on what had been a milestone moment for their farm and the wider community.\r\n\r\n“This has given us great hope that people do care about farming, sustainability and the future of food,” said Aonghusa Fahy. “We’re proud to have played a part in that conversation.”\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/demonstration-farms\/future-beef-programme\/farmers\/aonghusa-fahy\/\">For more information about Aonghusa Fahy's farm, visit here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/demonstration-farms\/future-beef-programme\/\">Find out more about the Teagasc Future Beef Programme here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<em>Featured Photo Credit: Chloe Goggins Photography<\/em>","id":"139255","title":"Community, cattle and curiosity: Huge turnout for Agri Aware Open Farm in Co. Galway","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-25 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Chloe-Goggins-Photography.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/House-martins-at-Kildalton-College-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-24","description":"Image source: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)","main_body":"These birds faithfully come all the way from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Iberian Peninsula to nest below the fascia boards on the college farm buildings each year.\r\n\r\nOver the summer months, Ireland welcomes many migratory species that visit and breed on our shores. One such species is the House Martin (Irish name: Gabhlán Binne), which is a well-known summer visitor from mid-March to late September.\r\n\r\nEach year, these amazing birds - which weigh no more than 20 grams (size of an AA battery) - make the 7,000km journey to a specific 6m<sup>2<\/sup> or 8m<sup>2<\/sup> of prime house front.\r\n\r\nTheir nests, built from mud, can take up to three weeks to construct and are located in the eaves of houses or buildings. They sleep in their nests at night. After their long journey, they don’t like having to build a new nest so regularly return to the same one each year.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139254\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Picture1.jpg\" alt=\"House martin nest\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n\r\nAt this time, we believe the House Martins are busy feeding on insects, which they catch in flight, as they build up their energy after their long journey to Ireland in recent weeks.\r\n<h2>Identification tips<\/h2>\r\nHouse Martins are similar in size to swallows, but they can be distinguished from swallows as House Martins have a shallow forked tail compared to the swallow which has a long, forked tailed. The House Martin’s feathers are blue\/black on the upper parts and white on the under parts. Although similar to Sand Martin, Swallow and Swift, the House Martin is the only one with a white rump.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139253\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Picture2.png\" alt=\"illustration for a swift, house martin, and sparrow\" width=\"501\" height=\"239\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Image source: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)<\/p>\r\nThese birds can have between two and three broods of chicks each year. Amazingly, some years, House Martins can still be rearing a brood of chicks well into late August, despite the fact that they usually begin their long return journey to Africa in September.\r\n<h2>Conservation status<\/h2>\r\nRed Lists are an internationally recognised methodology for assessing conservation status. An Irish Birds of Conservation Concern (IBoCC) List was published for 2020 to 2026. It found that the House Martin was Amber listed, meaning they are of medium conservation concern.\r\n<h2>Management tips<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Food for House Martin:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>They spend most of their time on the wing collecting insects.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Farmland habitat like mature native hedgerows, wet areas and ponds will help to supply their food, as will reducing the use of pesticides.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Nesting sites for House Martin:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The bird’s mud nest is usually sited below the eaves of buildings.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A muddy pool or puddle where they can collect nesting material is helpful, especially during a dry spring.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>They cannot build their nests on plastic or metal surfaces, so lining eaves with suitable material such as wooden planks, will provide a nestbuilding opportunity.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Various artificial House Martin nests are available. Several prefabricated nests can be placed alongside each other to encourage House Martins.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Studies at Teagasc Kildalton College<\/h2>\r\nHouse Martins were first ringed in Kildalton College in 2016 by a local Ecologist\/Ornithologist. Normally, three visits are carried out each year. Birds are caught by putting up mist nets which catch birds entering and leaving the nest site. Once a bird is caught, it is extracted from the net, fitted with a tiny aluminium ring which has a unique number so - if it is recaptured - its movements can be tracked. The birds are aged and sexed and have other biometric data taken such as wing length, weight, stage of moult, fat score and muscle score. The bird is then promptly released. In Ireland, bird ringing is linked with the British Trust for Ornithology and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139252\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/House-martins-at-Kildalton-College-1.png\" alt=\"House martins at Kildalton College\" width=\"700\" height=\"246\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe reasons for catching birds in general, which applies to House Martins, is to increase our understanding. The data collected can be used to monitor survival rates, breeding productivity and their general movements during migration if they happen to be re-trapped.\r\n\r\nNo birds were ringed in 2021 at Kildalton College due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, there was only one visit because numbers were down. Since starting in 2016, over 400 birds have been ringed, with some birds re-trapped in subsequent years. One adult male House Martin was caught in 2017 and re-trapped again the next two years. He had been over and back to Africa at least four times and managed to find his way back to the same spot to breed each year.\r\n\r\nRe-trapping rate is currently running at around 30% which is comparable to other sites which ring House Martins in the UK. For example, if 100 birds were caught this year, next year re-trapping would be around 30 of those 100.\r\n<h2>Where on the farm?<\/h2>\r\nHouse Martins are mostly associated with people, found around towns and villages. House Martins can be seen feeding on aerial insects and so are most frequently seen in areas of mixed agriculture, near water and in the vicinity of woodland. They can be found nesting under eaves of suitable buildings, between 5 and 10m above ground.\r\n<h2>Value<\/h2>\r\nAerial feeders over farmland, like House Martins indicate a good supply of flying insects are available. They feed on flying aphids, so act as a natural pest control. The area around farm buildings can makes an important contribution to farm wildlife.\r\n<h2>Affected by a change in climate?<\/h2>\r\nAs these birds rely on wet weather to build their nests, and warm weather to gather food, dramatic changes in the weather (such as extreme dry or cold periods) can have a negative effect on their numbers.\r\n<h2>Key facts about the House Martin:<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>They traditionally built their mud nests on cliff faces.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In the last 200 years, they started to make use of buildings, allowing them to expand their range.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>They now favour the close association with people, which has allowed the birds to even use urban areas.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>They are colonial nesters, with an average group size of four to five nests, although larger colonies have been recorded.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Their intricate mud nests are built up with layers of bill-sized pellets. They take days to build and are often returned to and used in following years.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Both males and females help to build the nest.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The female lays up to five white eggs, which hatch after about a fortnight. The chicks are usually ready to fledge after around 22–23 days. A second brood is usually raised each year.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone size-full wp-image-139251\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Picture7-300x180-1.png\" alt=\"BirdWatch ireland logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/education\/teagasc-colleges\/kildalton\/\">Find out more about Kildalton College here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/other\/fabrication-at-kildalton-bringing-designs-to-life.php\">Fabrication at Kildaton: Bringing designs to life<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/other\/host-farm-placements-proving-valuable-to-kildalton-college-students.php\">Host farm placements proving valuable to Kildalton College students<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/other\/strengthening-equine-futures-at-kildalton-college.php\">Strengthening equine futures at Kildalton College<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/other\/udderly-realistic-how-calving-simulators-are-moo-ving-education-forward-at-kildalton-college.php\">Udderly realistic: How calving simulators are 'moo-ving education forward at Kildalton College<\/a>","id":"139250","title":"Kildalton College’s long-haul summer guests","category":"Environment","release_date_time":"2025-06-24 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/House-martins-at-Kildalton-College-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Sarah-Woodmartin-discussed-the-benefits-of-diverse-swards-at-Sheep-2025-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-24","description":"Photo caption: Sarah Woodmartin discussed the performance of diverse swards at Sheep2025. Photo: Andrew Downes","main_body":"Through the inclusion of companion forages, such as white clover, red clover, chicory or plantain, Research Officer at Teagasc, Sarah Woodmartin explained: “We have seen the potential to increase intakes, animal performance, improve sward quality in the latter half of the grazing season, and there are also potential environmental benefits from their inclusion.”\r\n\r\nMost of these benefits, she noted, occur in the second half of the grazing season when the proportion of legumes and herbs present within the sward increases. Some of the key findings detailed by Sarah Woodmartin at Sheep 2025 were:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>In the post weaning period, average daily gains were higher from the perennial ryegrass + white clover (PRG+WC) (+33g\/day), perennial ryegrass + red clover (PRG+RC) (+41g\/day), perennial ryegrass + chicory (PRG+Chic) (+40g\/day) and perennial ryegrass + plantain (PRG+Plan) (+25g\/day) lambs, when compared to those grazing the perennial ryegrass only treatment.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The additional performance achieved over the post-weaning period had a positive impact on lifetime ADG. PRG+WC (+27g\/day), PRG+RC (+33g\/day), PRG+Chic (+28g\/day) and PRG+Plan (+14g\/day) lambs all had higher lifetime average daily gains when compared to lambs grazing the perennial ryegrass only treatment.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>This increase in performance resulted in a younger age to finish. On average, lambs on the perennial ryegrass only treatment took 231 days to reach the point of sale; this was significantly reduced for the PRG+WC (-26 days), PRG+RC (-32 days), PRG+Chic (-27 days) and the PRG+Plan (-16 days) lambs.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>As a consequence, meal required to bring the lambs to finish was also reduced when grazed on pastures containing either of the four companion forages.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Using average costs from the 2018-2022 period, perennial ryegrass only lambs required, on average, €4\/head of concentrates, whereas this reduced for the lambs grazed on either the PRG+WC (€2.20\/head), PRG+RC (€0.37\/head), PRG+Chic (€0.74\/head) and PRG+Plan (€1.85\/head) swards.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Although not a central focus of the study, the number of dosing events also reduced for the lambs grazed on swards containing companion forages, as a result of the reduced days to slaughter.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139249\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/concentrate-differences-per-lamb-from-diverse-swards.png\" alt=\"Concentrate differences per lamb from diverse swards\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe Athenry companion forages study also examined the impact of diverse swards enteric methane emissions, with Sarah Woodmartin adding: “We found that the inclusion of white clover (-5%), red clover (-13%) or plantain (-8%) reduced methane output. It is very positive to see that we can achieve increased intakes and performance, while there is potential to reduce the methane coming from the lambs grazing these swards.”\r\n\r\nSheep 2025 is a joint industry collaboration between Teagasc, Bord Bia, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Irish Farmers Journal, and Sheep Ireland. Irish Country Meats are the main sponsor for this event, in addition to support from major sponsors FBD Insurance, MSD Animal Health, and Elanco.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/sheep\/forage-crops-an-option-for-finishing-hill-lambs.php\">Forage crops: An option for finishing hill lambs?<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/sheep\/sheep-2025-deepening-the-understanding-of-hill-sheep-grazing-patterns.php\">Deepening the understanding of hill sheep grazing patterns<\/a>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Photo caption: Sarah Woodmartin discussed the performance of diverse swards at Sheep2025. Photo: Andrew Downes<\/p>","id":"139247","title":"Less meal and earlier finishing with diverse swards","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-06-24 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Sarah-Woodmartin-discussed-the-benefits-of-diverse-swards-at-Sheep-2025-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/DairyEdge-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-23","description":"Professor Laurence Shalloo, Head of the Animal and Grassland Programme in Teagasc Moorepark, joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge.","main_body":"Professor Shalloo starts by acknowledging that there is a constant state of flux in the world now and that we are constantly adapting to change. This is no different to what we did in the run-in to the milk quota removal. He also talks about the pent-up energy in the industry post-quota removal that has delivered a 100% increase in milk solids production from just a 50% increase in cows, indicating the advances made in terms of productivity.\r\n\r\nThere are always challenges and costs were high on the agenda at previous open days; they are well up the agenda again in 2025, as there has been an upward shift in costs. There is a need to focus on getting on top of them again and key to that is efficiency and growing the cheapest feed we can - grass.\r\n\r\nThe other challenges facing the industry include generation renewal as some of the people that have delivered the expansion are now looking for the person to carry on the business. Greenhouse gas emissions and water quality challenges also exist but are trending in the right direction and can be overcome by implementing the research.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen to the full episode of the Dairy Edge podcast featuring Professor Laurence Shalloo below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/b6075da7\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nThe Moorepark Open Day will take place on July 2<sup>nd<\/sup>, starting at 8:30am and we encourage all to attend and engage on the day. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">For more information on the Moorepark Open Day, visit here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nA co-production with LastCastMedia.com, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/the-dairy-edge-podcast\/\">more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast are available on the show page<\/a>.","id":"139246","title":"Professor Laurence Shalloo on the challenges facing the dairy industry","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-23 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/DairyEdge-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/view-of-the-countryside-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-23","description":"<sup>1<\/sup>In line with EU FADN methodology, Family Farm Income (FFI) represents the total return to family labour, management and capital investment in the farm business of which there is variation across farm systems. <sup>2<\/sup>Data for 2023 has been revised to reflect minor changes in the composition of the farm population identified in the Farm Structures Survey published by the Central Statistics Office. Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey","main_body":"Following an extremely difficult year in 2023, average family farm income rose by 87% to just under €36,000 in 2024. Income growth was driven by a combination of improved farm output prices, some easing in input costs and additional support payments under the new CAP.\r\n\r\nParticularly strong FFI improvements were recorded for dairy, tillage and sheep farms on average, but this must be interpreted in the context of particularly low-income figures in 2023.\r\n<h2>Dairy farms<\/h2>\r\nDespite a poor start to the production season, dairy farm incomes more than doubled in 2024, rising by 113% to an average of €108,200. The recovery in dairy incomes in 2024 was driven by much improved milk prices and favourable grazing conditions from mid-year onwards which boosted production later in the year. In addition, input costs, such as feed and fertiliser, eased slightly relative to 2023, as did overhead costs. The strength of the income recovery is a reminder that Irish dairy farm incomes are highly sensitive to milk price movements in successive years, a factor over which dairy farmers have no control.\r\n<h2>Cattle rearing farms<\/h2>\r\nFollowing an extremely poor outcome in 2023, incomes on cattle rearing farms, which typically focus on suckler beef production, rebounded strongly in 2024.  The average income increased by 93% to €13,500. Higher cattle prices and lower production costs contributed to the improved economic performance of these farms. While the core support payment remains the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), in addition the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) and ACRES also helped to underpin the income improvement.\r\n<h2>Cattle other farms<\/h2>\r\nCattle other farms, including beef finishing and store cattle enterprises, experienced an income increase of 32% in 2024, with the average income rising to over €18,000. This increase was driven by firmer prices for finished animals and lower production costs. However, the increase in finished cattle prices was more modest than for younger animals and this limited the increase in income observed in this farm system. Support payments also remained an important component of income on these farms. The increase in income for this category of farm is modest relative to other farm types.\r\n<h2>Sheep farms<\/h2>\r\nThe average income on sheep farms more than doubled in 2024, increasing by 115% to just under €28,000. The 18% increase in lamb prices was one driver of improved incomes in 2024, with a fall in input costs also benefitting sheep producers compared to 2023. Continued support through the Sheep Improvement Scheme, Organic Farming Scheme and ACRES contributed to the overall income improvement in this system. The increase in income observed in 2024 was also associated with the timing of the receipt of some farm payments.\r\n<h2>Tillage farms<\/h2>\r\nFollowing a year of extremely low income in 2023, tillage farms saw incomes improve in 2024, with the average income rising by 101% to €38,700. This turnaround was due to a combination of factors. As a result of particularly difficult winter planting conditions, there was a switch towards spring crops. These spring crops fared much better than winter crops and overall yields were slightly better than in 2023. Favourable weather during the summer period also aided grain quality. Grain prices were up marginally, while input costs moderated. Lower fertiliser prices were of particular benefit, although land rental costs remained high. Tillage farms with a secondary cattle or sheep enterprise will also have benefitted from the improved returns from drystock production in 2024 compared to 2023.\r\n<h2>Average farm income<\/h2>\r\nAcross all farm systems, the average family farm income rose to just under €36,000 in 2024, an increase of 87% compared to 2023. The widespread nature of the income recovery highlights how improved output prices, favourable weather, support payments and some easing of costs can support farm viability. At 42%, the proportion of farms categorised as economically viable in 2024 was one of the highest on record.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 1: Teagasc NFS Summary Results for Average Farm Incomes 2020 to 2024<sup>1<\/sup><\/strong>\r\n<table class=\"tblClean\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Farm system<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">2020<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">2021<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">2022<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">2023 (rev.)<sup>2<\/sup><\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">2024<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">2024 versus 2023\r\n\r\n% difference<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">2024 versus 2023\r\n\r\n€ difference<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Dairy<\/th>\r\n<td>€79,003<\/td>\r\n<td>€97,388<\/td>\r\n<td>€157,591<\/td>\r\n<td>€50,677<\/td>\r\n<td>€108,189<\/td>\r\n<td>113%<\/td>\r\n<td>€57,512<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Cattle rearing<\/th>\r\n<td>€8,427<\/td>\r\n<td>€10,921<\/td>\r\n<td>€8,767<\/td>\r\n<td>€7,023<\/td>\r\n<td>€13,547<\/td>\r\n<td>93%<\/td>\r\n<td>€6,524<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Cattle other<\/th>\r\n<td>€15,525<\/td>\r\n<td>€17,265<\/td>\r\n<td>€18,097<\/td>\r\n<td>€13,737<\/td>\r\n<td>€18,101<\/td>\r\n<td>32%<\/td>\r\n<td>€4,364<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Sheep<\/th>\r\n<td>€17,880<\/td>\r\n<td>€20,658<\/td>\r\n<td>€16,086<\/td>\r\n<td>€12,953<\/td>\r\n<td>€27,796<\/td>\r\n<td>115%<\/td>\r\n<td>€14,843<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Tillage<\/th>\r\n<td>€33,339<\/td>\r\n<td>€56,552<\/td>\r\n<td>€73,523<\/td>\r\n<td>€19,204<\/td>\r\n<td>€38,685<\/td>\r\n<td>101%<\/td>\r\n<td>€19,481<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Average<\/th>\r\n<td>€27,241<\/td>\r\n<td>€34,335<\/td>\r\n<td>€46,313<\/td>\r\n<td>€19,204<\/td>\r\n<td>€35,937<\/td>\r\n<td>87%<\/td>\r\n<td>€16,733<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"caption\"><sup>1<\/sup>In line with EU FADN methodology, Family Farm Income (FFI) represents the total return to family labour, management and capital investment in the farm business of which there is variation across farm systems. <sup>2<\/sup>Data for 2023 has been revised to reflect minor changes in the composition of the farm population identified in the Farm Structures Survey published by the Central Statistics Office. Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/publications\/2025\/national-farm-survey-2024---preliminary-results.php\">For more information, the National Farm Survey 2024 – Preliminary Results report is available to view here<\/a>.","id":"139244","title":"Farm incomes rebound across all systems in 2024","category":"Farm Business","release_date_time":"2025-06-23 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/view-of-the-countryside-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Suckler-calves-on-R-Cummins-Future-Beef-farm-June-2025-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-23","description":"The Limousin sire running with the suckler herd on Ruairi Cummins' farm","main_body":"Calving has now finished here in Kilmoganny. It was a mixed season – calves were born healthy and strong, but a few picked up scour at grass. Following a veterinary investigation, coccidiosis was identified as the likely cause. All affected calves have since been treated and have made a full recovery.\r\n<h2>Breeding<\/h2>\r\nThe breeding season is well underway. The Charolais bull was turned out on the 5<sup>th<\/sup> of April, followed by the Limousin bull on the 20<sup>th<\/sup> of April. I have seen very few repeats in the last fortnight and so I pulled the bulls on June 17<sup>th<\/sup>. This should result in calving finishing by the end of March next spring. This is important for me to make the best use of grass, have heavier bulls at housing to minimise expensive feed and have the bulls finished early.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139241\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Limousin-bull-with-suckler-cows-on-R-Cummins-farm-June-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Limousin bull with suckler cows on R. Cummins farm June 2025\" width=\"700\" height=\"414\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">The Limousin sire running with the suckler herd on Ruairi Cummins' farm<\/p>\r\nOne of the bulls went slightly lame, so the vet was called. He administered an anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic. My main concern was preventing infection and a rise in temperature, which could cause temporary infertility.\r\n\r\nThis year, I grouped the first-time calvers with the maiden heifers. They received priority access to grass throughout spring and were in excellent condition going to the bull. This level of management is vital for heifers calving down at 24 months to ensure they go back in calf. All calves are allowed to forward creep graze from day one. This reduces the bond with the dam and also reduces the demand on the cow, now at 3.5 months old, they are consuming a substantial amount of grass.\r\n\r\nI will scan late July \/ early august and anything not in calf will go in with the finishing heifers.\r\n<h2>Animal health<\/h2>\r\nAfter recent rainfall, I noticed coughing in the calves and decided to dose them for lungworm. I usually don’t need to dose for worms until September – based on faecal egg counts – but lungworm is different. Lungworms develop into adults in the lungs before laying eggs, so by the time eggs appear in faeces, lung damage may already be significant.\r\n\r\nCalves are vaccinated early with an intranasal product for RSV and Pi3 viruses, along with IBR and a clostridial vaccine covering ten strains. Bought-in continental-sired calves from the dairy herd are also put on the same vaccination protocol as my own stock.\r\n<h2>Soil fertility<\/h2>\r\nSoil samples were taken at the end of 2024, and I was pleased to see a significant improvement – a return on the investment made in recent years. Some fields still require lime, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), but overall progress is very encouraging.\r\n\r\nA new Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) has been prepared, and the updated colour-coded maps are excellent – a very visual way of showing the indices of each field. On the out-farm, some fields are Index 1 and 2 for potassium, so I plan to apply a bag of muriate of potash per acre. At home, plots with low P and K are getting 13-6-20 to help bring up both nutrient levels.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139242\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Soil-fertility-results-from-R-Cummins-farm.png\" alt=\"Soil fertility results from R. Cummins farm, details in text\" width=\"589\" height=\"315\" \/>\r\n\r\nIn a year where there might be some surplus cash, investing in soil fertility seems like a wise choice.\r\n<h2>Fodder budget<\/h2>\r\nFirst-cut silage has been harvested, yielding approximately eight bales per acre – including the red clover silage ground. The non clover ground received two bags of 13-6-20 and one bag of urea per acre. The red clover silage got 3,000 gallons of slurry per acre and one bag of 13-6-20. I didn’t want to use too much chemical fertiliser on the red clover swards, as it will affect it persistency. I have slurry saved for the second cut and it will receive 2,500- 3,000 gallons per acre.\r\n\r\nTwenty acres have been closed for second cut, which has been treated with 2,500 gallons of slurry, a bag of 13-6-20, and one and a half bags of protected urea 38% + S.\r\n\r\nMy fodder requirement for an average winter is around 400 bales. I carried over 100 bales from last year and cut 175 in the first cut. I only need 125 more, which I will easily achieve from the second cut. I also plan to cut hay from the out-farm to feed over-conditioned cows when they come in for winter.\r\n<h2>Animal performance<\/h2>\r\nThe last of the bulls have been slaughtered and I’m very happy with their performance. At an average age of 15.0 months, their average carcass weight was 392kg at U-3- grading.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139243\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/16-month-bulls-R-Cummins-farm-June-2025.jpg\" alt=\"16-month bulls R. Cummins farm June 2025\" width=\"700\" height=\"524\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Finishing bulls on Ruairi Cummins' farm<\/p>\r\nPerformance has improved steadily over recent years, which I attribute to increased milk from cows, the quality of the stock bulls and good management. The sire was Knockmahon Noble – a Charolais bull with a terminal index of €111, carcass weight of +29 kg and a conformation score of 1.81. He was easy calving at 3.2% on cows, though higher at 8.3% on heifers.\r\n\r\nMy new bull, Knockmahon Tex, also comes from the same herd. He has a terminal index of €175, carcass weight of +39.5 kg, and a conformation score of 2.18. He is even easier calving at 2.8% and carries the F94L myostatin gene – offering a balance of calving ease and muscle.\r\n\r\nBulls are allowed to creep graze ahead of the cows year-round and are fed concentrates before and after weaning to avoid any setback. This approach also helps achieve adequate fat cover by 15 months. They are vaccinated against pneumonia and dosed by weight at housing for both gut and lungworms.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/demonstration-farms\/future-beef-programme\/farmers\/ruairi-cummins\/\">For more information on Ruairi Cummins' farm visit here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/demonstration-farms\/future-beef-programme\/\">Find out more about the Teagasc Future Beef Programme here<\/a>.","id":"139239","title":"Calving and breeding – an update from Future Beef farmer, Ruairi Cummins","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-23 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Suckler-calves-on-R-Cummins-Future-Beef-farm-June-2025-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Clonakilty-dairy-cows-Feature.png","release_date":"2025-06-23","description":"As part of our ongoing series of updates from Teagasc research farms, we caught up with Eoin McCormack at Clonakilty to get the latest on their nitrogen strategies, clover management, cow performance and the challenges faced with this year’s reseeds.","main_body":"<h2>Nitrogen Strategies<\/h2>\r\nClonakilty is currently between nitrogen trials, following the conclusion of a three-year experiment led by Megan Bock. While a new trial is being designed, the farm continues to replicate the previous trial’s blueprint to maintain consistency for ongoing water quality monitoring.\r\n<h3>Current Nitrogen Treatments<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Grass Only, 150 kg N\/ha<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Grass Only, 225 kg N\/ha<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Grass-Clover, 150 kg N\/ha<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Grass-Clover, 75 kg N\/ha<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nProtected urea, 46% N, remains the fertiliser of choice, with application rates tailored to each treatment. For example, for the current rotation, the Grass Only 225 kg N\/ha treatment receives 61 kg\/ha of protected urea per application, while the Grass-Clover 75 kg N\/ha receives 20 kg\/ha of protected urea. On the general farm, nitrogen use is more flexible, with rates pulled back where clover content is sufficient.\r\n<h3>Multi-Species Swards<\/h3>\r\nDemonstration plots include grass only zero nitrogen and multi-species swards. The latter, now in its third year, has seen chicory fade out and plantain decline, but remains a valuable teaching resource for students.\r\n<h3>Silage<\/h3>\r\nGround closed for second-cut silage has received 175kg\/ha of protected urea, equivalent to 64 unit\/ac of N, with the balance of the N coming from slurry spread at 2,500 gallons\/ac.\r\n<h2>Grass and Clover Cow Performance<\/h2>\r\nDespite the variation in nitrogen inputs and sward composition, milk yields across the different groups remain close.\r\n\r\n<strong>Milk Performance<\/strong>\r\n<table class=\"tblClean\" width=\"625\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Group<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Grass Only 150<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Grass Only 225<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Grass-Clover 150<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Grass-Clover 75<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Yield (l)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">21.0<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">22.6<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">22.8<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">23.5<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Milk Solids (kg)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">1.83<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">1.94<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">1.94<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">1.97<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Fat %<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">5.15<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">5.00<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">4.85<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">4.69<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Protein %<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">3.62<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">3.65<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">3.75<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">3.73<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Concentrates (kg)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">3<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">3<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">3<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"125\">3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nGood grass growth and utilisation is being recorded, with average farm covers ranging from 671 to 717 kg DM\/ha and growth rates between 82 and 98 kg DM\/ha\/day. Stocking rates are consistent at 3.24 LU\/ha across all groups.\r\n\r\n<strong>Key grass performance metrics<\/strong>\r\n<table class=\"tblClean\" width=\"612\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>Metric<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>Grass Only 150<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>Grass Only 225<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>Grass-Clover 150<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>Grass-Clover 75<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>AFC<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">671<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">717<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">683<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">704<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>Cover\/LU<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">207<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">221<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">211<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">217<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>GR<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">82<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">94<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">90<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">98<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>Demand<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">52<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">52<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">52<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">52<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>SR (LU\/Ha)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">3.24<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">3.24<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">3.24<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"122\">3.24<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h3>Clover Varieties<\/h3>\r\nClonakilty’s clover strategy has evolved over the years. After trialling several varieties, Chieftain and Crusader have become the most commonly used due to their reliability and leaf size. Recent reseeds and overseeding have introduced Dungloe and Clodagh.\r\n<h3>2025 Reseed Mix<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Astonconqueror (3 kg)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>AstonEnergy (3.5 kg)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Glenfield (4 kg)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Clodagh (0.75 kg)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dungloe (0.75 kg)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>2025 Reseeds<\/h2>\r\nThis year’s reseeds have faced significant challenges. Sown during a dry spell, germination was delayed, resulting in patchy establishment and slow growth. Weeds have outgrown grass in some areas. Eoin estimates that the reseeds are around two weeks behind where they should be, and the team is closely monitoring progress.\r\n<h3>Timeline<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Sprayed off: 16<sup>th<\/sup> April<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Ploughed: Week of 28<sup>th<\/sup> April<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Seeded: Week of 12<sup>th<\/sup> May<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Breeding Update<\/h2>\r\n75 cows were scanned last week, these had been served over 32 days.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>5 were not in calf<\/li>\r\n \t<li>4 received a prostaglandin shot<\/li>\r\n \t<li>1 cow with a follicle will be monitored for heat, with a recheck planned if needed<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Moorepark Open Day 2025<\/h2>\r\nMore detailed information on the Teagasc research farms will be discussed at the Moorepark Open Day 2025 on Wednesday, July 2. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">Find out more about the Moorepark Open Day 2025 here.<\/a>","id":"139236","title":"Clonakilty Farm: Nitrogen Strategies &#038; Reseeding Challenges","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-23 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Clonakilty-dairy-cows-Feature.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Angus-bull-with-cows-at-Teagasc-Grange-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-23","description":"With mid-July fast approaching, the recommended time to pull your bull, now is the perfect time to assess how your breeding season is progressing.","main_body":"Pulling the bull on schedule helps ensure a compact calving season, but before you do, ask yourself: Are you seeing cows returning to heat? Some repeats are normal, but if more than 10-15% of cows come back into heat, it could mean fertility issues with either the bull or the cow herd.\r\n\r\nThis is where good record-keeping becomes essential. Have you kept detailed notes of heat observations, mating dates and bull activity? These records help you spot patterns and identify if problems are isolated or widespread.\r\n\r\nIf repeat heats are high, it’s important to check the bull’s health and fertility. Is he active, free of injuries and showing normal breeding behaviour? Consider having your vet do a fertility check. If the bull is underperforming, you may need to replace him or think about introducing artificial insemination (AI) to improve conception rates.\r\n\r\n<strong>Professor David Kenny, researcher in Teagasc Grange, featured on a recent episode of the Beef Edge podcast, where he provided key tips to be aware of over the breeding season. Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/449ec9b5\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, if the issue seems to be with the cows, perhaps poor body condition or health problems, address those quickly. Some cows might need synchronising or extra care to get cycling properly.\r\n\r\nIf you are unsure on any of the above, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local advisor or vet for help.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/beef\/5-tips-to-keep-grass-quality-high-in-June.php\">5 tips to keep grass quality high in June<\/a>","id":"139234","title":"June check: How is your breeding season going?","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-23 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Angus-bull-with-cows-at-Teagasc-Grange-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/a-handful-of-clover-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-22","description":"Researchers from Teagasc and the University of Galway have explored farmers’ perceived benefits and issues arising from the adoption of clover and multi-species swards, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, Felipe Aguiar-Noury shares some of the study’s key findings.","main_body":"Chemical nitrogen (N) fertilisers have reached historic peak prices in recent years. It is no surprise that many farmers have started to transition to other fertiliser alternatives, such as protected urea and the introduction of new forage species into grassland.\r\n\r\nThe latter has gained particular attention in the form of grass-clover swards and multi-species swards. For example, some scientific experiments have achieved a substantial reduction in chemical nitrogen fertiliser by 100-200 kg N\/ha when establishing grass-clover swards. This implies a considerable reduction in production costs, not to mention the enormous benefit to the environment these practices attain (lower emissions, lower leaching and lower contamination of water sources, etc.).\r\n\r\nHowever, replicating the results of experimental farms on real farms can be challenging, and potential issues of adoption are often overlooked. What do farmers think about grass-clover swards and multi-species swards? Do farmers think they work, or do they have issues?\r\n<h2>Elements influencing adoption<\/h2>\r\nResearchers from Teagasc and the University of Galway have explored farmers’ perceived benefits and issues arising from the adoption of clover and multi-species swards. Their study, recently published in Agricultural Systems, has discovered that these perceived benefits and issues are significant elements influencing adoption decisions.\r\n\r\nFor example, most farmers agree that grass-clover swards can reduce chemical N fertilisers, increase farm income, reduce the carbon footprint of the farm, and even improve the aesthetic of the farm. Higher expected benefits from grass-clover swards are found to be significantly associated with higher adoption rates. However, most farmers also consider that clover entails considerable bloat risks. Bloat is an animal health condition associated with high clover content and management practices, which impedes normal gas release, and can be fatal for ruminants. This research shows that higher perceptions of bloat risks constrain adoption decisions. In addition, difficult establishment, management, and the learning processes that adoption requires also hinder farmers from choosing clover.\r\n\r\nResearchers highlight the importance of policymakers to help increase trust in the benefits of clover and multi-species swards by addressing the difficulties farmers could face when adopting them. In the end, their adoption represents a win-win strategy for both farmers and policymakers.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0308521X24003524?dgcid=author\">Further findings of this research can be found in the Journal of Agricultural Systems, available here<\/a>.","id":"139232","title":"Thinking of replacing chemical nitrogen fertiliser this year?","category":"Grassland","release_date_time":"2025-06-22 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/a-handful-of-clover-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Dairy-Enterprise-Factsheet-1-700x480-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-22","description":"There are key opportunities within the farm gate which will sustain progress over the next decade. Padraig French, Teagasc Livestock Systems & Dairy Enterprise Leader, Conor Hogan, Teagasc Research Officer and Brendan Horan, Teagasc Research Officer, tell us more.","main_body":"With a total estimated value of €7.4 billion in 2024, the recent performance of the sector has been achieved through a combination of increased average herd size per farm (from 75 to 96 cows per farm between 2017 and 2024) and increased productivity from improved animal breeding, grassland management and animal husbandry. Remarkably, the increase in total sector value has been achieved while reducing reliance on chemical nitrogen (N). At the core of this success story are over 16,000 family-owned dairy farms, producing over 8.5 billion litres of milk each year and supporting over 60,000 jobs across the rural economy.\r\n\r\nWhile dairy family farm income volatility is now a significant feature, the average dairy farm income has increased by 240% since the pre-expansion period (2008-2010; €39,689 to 2022-2024; €95,689). This is indicative of strong economic return from investment in key technology developments over this period.\r\n\r\nWhile the dairy industry faces significant challenges in terms of regulation, increasing international trade uncertainties and generational renewal, the current profitability of the sector has created the opportunity for family farms to continue to innovate and develop more sustainable farming systems while future-proofing the financial livelihoods for the next generation. There are key opportunities within the farm gate which will sustain progress over the next decade.\r\n\r\nIndividual dairy farms vary considerably in terms of characteristics such as family circumstances, enterprise mix, stage of development, soil types and farm system components. Nonetheless, all farms must plan to further develop and strengthen their farm businesses using available research innovations and technology.\r\n<h2>Reduce feed costs and increasing feed self-sufficiency on the farm<\/h2>\r\nThe financial landscape for dairy production has been substantially altered during the past five years with unprecedented increases in costs. In addition to the ongoing requirement to improve efficiency to meet climate action commitments, dairy farmers must also refocus on cost reduction to maintain margins during 2025. To that end, high productivity pastures are the cornerstone of efficient grazing systems contributing to more than 80% of the feed requirements on dairy farms.\r\n\r\nThe medium term priority must be to increase profitability by increasing grazed pasture utilisation with high EBI cows, improving swards and matching stocking rate to grass growth potential. Such systems can be further improved by reducing reliance on increasingly expensive supplementary feed imports, incorporating clovers within grazing swards, and further refining day-to-day operations to reduce nutrient losses.\r\n\r\nIt is hugely challenging to maintain farm productivity and profitability while reducing chemical nitrogen (N) use. It requires the successful incorporation of a substantial legume component within grazed pastures.\r\n<h2>Further investment in productive areas<\/h2>\r\nOn farms where cost control is well managed and above average profitability levels are being achieved, the priority should be to invest in facilities and technology that are proven to reduce workload and further improve the efficiency of the farm operation.\r\n\r\nForemost among these investments should be improvements in soil fertility and pasture quality which deliver rapid and substantial returns. The next priority should to improve roadway infrastructure and acquire highly effective labour saving technologies which reduce workload and free up time.\r\n\r\nAs dairy farming consistently provides the highest return of any farming enterprise, the long term focus should be to ensure that the farm will be attractive to successors and continue to operate as a pasture based milk production unit for future generations.\r\n<h2>Taking advantage of additional growth opportunities<\/h2>\r\nFarmers who aim to continue to grow a profitable business, should evaluate dairy expansion opportunities. This could be either by adding land to the existing milking platform or, where feasible, through the acquisition of an additional second grazing platform which can replicate the high levels of operational efficiency being achieved on the home farm. ,\r\n\r\nAs a group, Irish farmers are getting older. As farmers choose to exit the industry, lease and partnership agreements represent attractive opportunities for them to maintain income levels, while young entrants replacing them establish new dairy operations and grow their own dairy businesses.\r\n<h2>Securing the farm’s future<\/h2>\r\nWith consistently high relative returns, milk production remains the most viable use of land for the majority of dairy farmers. For farmers thinking about stepping back, early planning is critical. Pathways to family partnerships should be explored first.\r\n\r\nIf such options are not available, collaborative models, such as share farming, can enable a gradual transition; maintaining income and involvement while creating a viable entry route for a young farmer.\r\n\r\nThese arrangements can help maintain investment and productivity within the farm, and support continued involvement by the current farmer. Succession should be viewed not as an endpoint but as part of a longer-term strategy that allows the business to evolve and grow under new leadership.\r\n<h2>The skills that will shape future success<\/h2>\r\nTo realise these opportunities, the next phase of development must be underpinned by key skills and robust planning. Financial benchmarking and sound business planning will be essential to guide smart investments and navigate through volatility.\r\n\r\nEqually, people management and leadership, including how work is organised and how people are supported, will determine the attractiveness of farms as workplaces.\r\n\r\nFinally, developing strong networks through active participation in discussion groups will play a central role in knowledge-sharing and furthering growth. It is these core skills that will underpin the next phase of growth and innovation within the sector, allowing farmers to get continued value from their efforts, investments, and growth to-date.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/publications\/2025\/todays-farm-mayjune-2025.php\">This article was first published in Today's Farm, read more from Today's Farm here.<\/a>","id":"139230","title":"Future-proofing incomes for the next generation","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-22 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Dairy-Enterprise-Factsheet-1-700x480-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/forage-rape-crop-shown-at-Sheep-2025-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-21","description":"Dr. Frank Campion discussed the results of Teagasc Athenry studies on hill lamb performance when grazing forage crops at Sheep 2025.","main_body":"Dr. Frank Campion, a Research Officer based in the Teagasc Mellows Campus, provided attending farmers with an overview of the research which compared the performance of Texel x Scottish Blackface lambs, Scottish Blackface ram lambs and Scottish Blackface wether lambs, grazing either forage rape or hybrid brassica crops.\r\n\r\nDr. Frank Campion explained: “Within each group, we witnessed no difference in performance between the lambs grazed on forage rape or hybrid brassica crops. However, lamb type did effect performance; Texel x Scottish Blackface lambs gained ~150g\/head\/day, Scottish Blackface ram lambs achieved weight gains of ~130g\/head\/day, whereas the castrated male Scottish Blackface lambs gained ~100g\/head\/day.”\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone size-full wp-image-139228\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Frank-Campion-pictured-at-Sheep-2025.png\" alt=\"Frank Campion pictured at Sheep 2025\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Dr. Frank Campion discussed the results of Teagasc Athenry studies on hill lamb performance when grazing forage crops at Sheep 2025.<\/p>\r\nFor farmers considering utilising forage crops to finish hill lambs, Dr. Campion reminded them of the importance of starting weight, noting that over 80% of the lambs weighing more than 30kg were finished from forage crops in under four months. Where farmers are considering such a strategy, he recommended growing lambs on grass first before transitioning to a forage crop.\r\n\r\n<strong>Figure 1: Performance of lambs grazing either forage rape or hybrid brassica at Teagasc Athenry<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139229\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Forage-rape-versus-brassica-700x349-1.png\" alt=\"Forage rape versus brassica, details in text\" width=\"700\" height=\"349\" \/>\r\n\r\nAdditionally, Teagasc Athenry studies have shown no difference in utilisable yield between either forage rape or hybrid brassica, but weather conditions and grazing management have a major influence on utilisation.\r\n\r\n“Forage rape and hybrid brassica are relatively quick growing crops and within 60-90 days of sowing, you are grazing. Our research at Teagasc Athenry shows that lambs grazing forage rape and hybrid brassica utilised 58% and 62% of the crop, respectively.”\r\n\r\nFrom a utilisation and lamb performance perspective, Dr. Campion also advised farmers to block graze the crop rather than set stocking as “lambs get access to the leaf of the plant every two days and only have to graze the harder and lower nutritional value parts for shorter periods of time.”\r\n\r\nOther considerations highlighted included acclimatising lambs to the crop slowly, mineral supplementation and the provision of a grass run back to adhere to the conditions of the Nitrates Directive.\r\n\r\nSheep 2025 is a joint industry collaboration between Teagasc, Bord Bia, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Irish Farmers Journal, and Sheep Ireland. Irish Country Meats are the main sponsor for this event, in addition to support from major sponsors FBD Insurance, MSD Animal Health, and Elanco.","id":"139226","title":"Forage crops: An option for finishing hill lambs?","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-06-21 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/forage-rape-crop-shown-at-Sheep-2025-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/ewes-fitted-with-GPS-collars-Sheep-2025-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-21","description":"Michael Dever, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, pictured at his display at Sheep 2025.","main_body":"The collaboration between Teagasc and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) was outlined by Michael Dever, a Teagasc Walsh Scholar based at the Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway.\r\n\r\nSpeaking at the event, Michael Dever explained that one of the key challenges for many hill sheep farmers is limited access to greenland, often forcing them to return ewe and lamb pairs to the hill at various stages after lambing. To quantify the impact of this, along with ewe grazing patterns and behaviour from various hill turnout strategies, Michael Dever explained:\r\n\r\n“The project uses GPS collars and GIS mapping to monitor ewe movement and grazing preferences. By analysing location data, we hope to identify the relationship between grazing zones, botanical composition and animal performance.”\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-suspicious-alt alignnone size-full wp-image-139225\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Michael-Devor-Sheep-2025.png\" alt=\"Michael Dever, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, pictured at his display at Sheep 2025\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" data-warning=\"Suspicious alt text\" \/><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Michael Dever, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, pictured at his display at Sheep 2025.<\/p>\r\nThis study is already underway on one of the Teagasc BETTER Farm Sheep Demonstration farms, where ewes with single lambs were returned to the hill at either 4, 8 or 10 weeks post lambing.\r\n<blockquote>“All the ewes are fitted with GPS tracking collars so we can see exactly where they go and hopefully, we’ll begin to understand why they choose certain areas to graze.<\/blockquote>\r\n“Prior to turnout to the hill, we recorded ewe body condition score and weight, along with lamb weight, allowing us to monitor and track how the varying turnout strategies affect ewe and lamb performance,” Michael Dever added.\r\n\r\nOn the potential outcomes of this research, Michael Dever added: “If altering the timing of turnout changes how sheep move and graze on the hills, it could influence both animal performance and the ecological balance of upland environments.”\r\n\r\nSheep 2025 is a joint industry collaboration between Teagasc, Bord Bia, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Irish Farmers Journal, and Sheep Ireland. Irish Country Meats are the main sponsor for this event, in addition to support from major sponsors FBD Insurance, MSD Animal Health, and Elanco.","id":"139222","title":"Sheep 2025: Deepening the understanding of hill sheep grazing patterns","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-06-21 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/ewes-fitted-with-GPS-collars-Sheep-2025-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/suckler-cows-and-calves-grazing-white-clover-in-Grange-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-21","description":"June is a tricky month for grassland management. Here are five simple tips to help you keep on top of grass quality this month:","main_body":"<h2>1). Walk the farm regularly<\/h2>\r\nGrass can shoot ahead very quickly in June. Walk your paddocks once or twice a week to see what’s happening. This helps you spot where there’s too much grass, so you can take it out for bales or silage before it gets too strong.\r\n<h2>2). Use temporary fencing<\/h2>\r\nIf paddocks are too big or the grass is too strong, use a strip wire to split them. This helps cattle graze the grass tighter and waste less. It also makes it easier to keep grass at the right height.\r\n<h2>3). Keep residuals low<\/h2>\r\nAfter grazing, try to get paddocks down to 4cm (just above the soil). This keeps the regrowth leafy and good quality. If cattle aren’t cleaning it out enough, you can top it or run dry cows or lighter stock in after.\r\n<h2>4). Cut strong paddocks for bales<\/h2>\r\nIf a paddock gets too strong and cattle won’t clean it out, don’t force them to graze it. Take it out of the rotation and cut it for bales. This keeps the rest of the grazing right and gives you good-quality silage too.\r\n<h2>5). Don’t forget fertiliser<\/h2>\r\nKeep spreading fertiliser to feed the grass. Aim for about 80 units of nitrogen per acre on dry ground by early June. Heavier land might only need around 65 units. Also make sure you’re spreading sulphur, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as needed.\r\n\r\nBy following these five tips, you’ll keep grass leafy and easy to graze, which means better performance from your cattle and good-quality silage in the yard. Stay on top of things and walk the farm.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/demonstration-farms\/future-beef-programme\/monthly-farm-updates\/\">To keep up to date with how farmers in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme are managing grass quality and to read the latest updates from their farms, visit here<\/a>.\r\n<h2>More information:<\/h2>\r\nWith surplus grass on most farms, Grass10 Manager, John Maher provides some grassland management tips for the coming weeks as part of the Grass10’s podcast on June Grass Management Tips. Listen in below:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/f4d65113\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>","id":"139220","title":"5 tips to keep grass quality high in June","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-21 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/suckler-cows-and-calves-grazing-white-clover-in-Grange-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Tipperary-Dairy-Calf-to-Beef-November-Update-1-700x524-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-21","description":"A series of four CalfCare Events will kick off next week, offering novices to dairy-beef or seasoned producers key tips and tools to boost their herd’s performance.","main_body":"Organised by Animal Health Ireland (AHI) in conjunction with the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign, and supported by Feed for Growth (Volac), plus local co-ops and meat processors, these free to attend events are focused on maintaining performance from weaning to housing.\r\n\r\n<strong>At the events, you’ll hear:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>How to maintain recommended average daily gain to achieve optimal performance,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mid-season grass management and achieving good silage quality,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>All you need to know about parasites at grass and in advance of housing,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Key health tasks to avoid a growth check in cattle.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139219\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/CalfCare_Events_Summer_Flyer_2025_FINAL_V3-scaled-495x700-1.jpg\" alt=\"CalfCare Events Summer Flyer 2025, details in text\" width=\"495\" height=\"700\" \/>\r\n<h2>When and where?<\/h2>\r\nWith no pre-registration required and all events commencing at 7pm, they will take place in the following locations:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Monday, June 23: The farm of Gareth Peoples, Tullyannon, Carrigans, Co. Donegal, Eircode: F93 HK20,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Tuesday, June 24: Tipperary Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, Eircode: E91 E0X3,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Wednesday, June 25: ABP Demo Farm, Clonegal, Co. Carlow, Eircode: Y21R884,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Thursday, June 26: The farm of Irvine Allen, Williamstown, Co. Westmeath, Eircode: N37 T327.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>More on the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm<\/h2>\r\nChloe Millar from the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast, providing an update on calf rearing this spring and management on the farm currently. Listen in below:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/5812b835\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/dairy-calf-to-beef\/dairybeef-500\/\">Find out more about the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign here<\/a>.","id":"139217","title":"Summer CalfCare Events kick off next week","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-21 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Tipperary-Dairy-Calf-to-Beef-November-Update-1-700x524-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Sustainable-Grassland-Farmer-of-the-Year-2024-1-700x466-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-20","description":"Pictured in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork at the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards 2024 are overall winner Michael Ahern, his wife Anne, children Nathaniel and Jane, and father Padjo, with sponsors: Liz Hyland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Colin Heaney, FBD; John Macnamara, Chairman Grass10; Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director; Donal Whelton, AIB; Liam Woulfe, Teagasc Authority and Grassland Agro; Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal; Enda McDonald, Grassland Agro; Noel Grealish T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Michael Berkery, FBD. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.","main_body":"Taking the coveted Overall Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Award for 2024 is Michael Ahern from Ballyduff, Co. Waterford, who had earlier also claimed the Nutrient Category Winner Award. Growing 13t DM\/ha of grass, completing 30 grass walks, incorporating clover and improving grazing infrastructure are just some of the standout measures he’s taken.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/grassland\/grass10\/grassland-farmer-of-the-year-\/grassland-farmer-of-the-year-2024\/\">Find out more about Michael Ahern’s farm here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nNow in its eight year, the awards recognise the best grassland farmers in the country and were presented by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Noel Grealish T.D. The award recipients are growing and utilising more grass on their farms, contributing to sustainable livestock production systems. The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with an overall prize fund of €40,000.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"wpa-warning wpa-long-alt size-full wp-image-139213\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Sustainable-Grassland-Farmer-of-the-Year-2024-1-700x466-1.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork at the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards 2024 are overall winner Michael Ahern, his wife Anne, children Nathaniel and Jane, and father Padjo, with sponsors: Liz Hyland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Colin Heaney, FBD; John Macnamara, Chairman Grass10; Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director; Donal Whelton, AIB; Liam Woulfe, Teagasc Authority and Grassland Agro; Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal; Enda McDonald, Grassland Agro; Noel Grealish T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Michael Berkery, FBD. Picture: O'Gorman Photography. \" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" data-warning=\"Long alt text\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">Pictured in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork at the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards 2024 are overall winner Michael Ahern, his wife Anne, children Nathaniel and Jane, and father Padjo, with sponsors: Liz Hyland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Colin Heaney, FBD; John Macnamara, Chairman Grass10; Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director; Donal Whelton, AIB; Liam Woulfe, Teagasc Authority and Grassland Agro; Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal; Enda McDonald, Grassland Agro; Noel Grealish T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Michael Berkery, FBD. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.<\/p>\r\nThe Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year awards are part of the Teagasc Grass10 Campaign which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, AIB, FBD, Grassland Agro and the Irish Farmers Journal. The Grass10 Campaign focuses on promoting efficient nutrient management, high grass\/clover pastures, routine grass measurement and overall good grassland management.\r\n\r\n<strong>Farmer Category winners:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Dairy Category Winner: Arthur Sweetman, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Drystock Category Winner: Peter Byrne, Castledermot, Co. Kildare,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Young Farmer Category Winner: Shane Hegarty, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Organic Farming Category Winner: Ken Gill, Edenderry, Co. Offaly,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Nutrient Management Category Winner: Michael Ahern, Ballyduff, Co. Waterford,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Clover Category Joint Winner: Robert, Denis &amp; Bernard O’Dea, Kilteely, Co. Limerick,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Finalist: Joseph Murphy, Bennetsbridge, Co. Kilkenny.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/grassland\/grass10\/grassland-farmer-of-the-year-\/grassland-farmer-of-the-year-2024\/\">Find out more about the Category winners of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year competition here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Student Section<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Student Category Winner: Edmund Motherway, Kildalton College,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Student Category Finalist: Jack Stevenson, Ballyhaise College,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Student Category Finalist: Luke Hosford, Clonakilty College,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Student Category Finalist: Donal Lyons, Pallaskenry College,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Student Category Finalist: David Cassells, Mountbellew College.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nCongratulating the grassland farmers and students, Teagasc Director, Professor Frank O’ Mara said: “It’s clear you and your families are all doing an excellent job on your farms in terms of high levels of grassland management and running excellent farm enterprises. I congratulate you on your achievements in this year’s awards.”\r\n\r\nChair of the Grass10 Committee, John Macnamara said: “Well done to all the farmers, students and their families here today. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you all.  You are the best grassland farmers. This is the All-Ireland title for grassland farmers. You can be proud of being here today.”\r\n\r\nAidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal, spoke on behalf of the competition judges. He thanked the farmers for entering the competition and for hosting the judges for the visits to their farms.\r\n<blockquote>“We were impressed with the levels of grass management and reviewed the performance of the grass swards over a number of years. The use of clover has increased and farmers are making better use of nutrients produced on the farm.”<\/blockquote>\r\nThe judging panel for the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year competition consisted of: Liz Hyland\/Jonathan Flynn, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; John Maher, Teagasc Grass10; John Farrell, AIB; Colin Heaney, FBD; John O’Loughlin, Grassland Agro; and Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal.","id":"139212","title":"Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year award heading to Waterford","category":"Grassland","release_date_time":"2025-06-20 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Sustainable-Grassland-Farmer-of-the-Year-2024-1-700x466-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Organising-a-Timber-Sales-Contract-graphic-1-700x400-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-20","description":"With harvesting of timber affected by previous storms ongoing, it is in every forest owner’s interest to be in control of the timber harvesting and sales processes. Teagasc forestry advisors continue to be available to provide objective guidance and support to forest owners.","main_body":"In this second article in a series of eight, Teagasc forestry advisors highlight the importance of an appropriate timber sales contract.\r\n\r\nIt is strongly recommended to have an appropriate written contract with anyone involved in timber harvesting and sales in your forest (e.g. your forester, the timber buyer and\/or harvesting contractor and the timber haulier). Verbal agreements are not satisfactory as they can be open to misinterpretation.\r\n<h2>Engaging a forester<\/h2>\r\nIf employing a forester to oversee your timber sale, it is important to have an agreement drawn up setting out what services they will provide and the costs involved. Services may include co-ordination and support in the following key areas:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Harvesting-related applications: Felling licence, harvesting plan, road grant etc. Bundling applications may save you fees.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Preparing a risk assessment and site health &amp; safety plan. Be aware of your responsibilities as the owner under the Health and Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Deciding on how the timber will be sold, standing, roadside or delivered to the buyer.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Carrying out a forest inventory to get an estimate of the total timber volume and average volume per tree.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Estimating timber product assortments, percentages of pulp, stake, pallet and sawlog.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Securing written quotes from a number of potential buyers. If selling roadside or delivered to the buyer, get quotes from harvesting contractors and hauliers.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Managing and supervising the harvesting operations and timber security tasks.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Inspecting the work to see if operations are in line with the contract and felling licence conditions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Liaising with the buyer on behalf of the forest owner\/ seller.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nRemember, as the owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that the conditions of the felling licence and the Health &amp; Safety at Work Act are adhered to.\r\n<h2>Important inclusions in your sales contract<\/h2>\r\nA legally binding contract with a forester \/ buyer \/ harvesting contractor should be read through and understood to ensure it protects your interests and should include the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Your identity as the seller and proof of ownership of the timber as well as contact details of the buyer.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Location of the site, relevant site features, area to be harvested and the start and finishing dates.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The price to be paid, including an agreed deposit, payment schedule and when the transfer of the timber ownership occurs.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Method of measurement (volume (m³) or tonnes) and the categories of products (pulp, stake, pallet and sawlog).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Agreement on road use, including maximum weights.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Statement that harvesting will be carried out in accordance with best silvicultural practice and in compliance with the conditions of the felling licence, including the application of urea and dye on freshly cut conifer stumps.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Written proof that the buyer, their employees\/ contractor are fully compliant with, and are aware of their responsibilities under the Health &amp; Safety at Work Act as well as written proof of operators\/ contractor’s insurance cover and qualifications.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Assign liability for property damage, including roads.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provision for the protection of the residual stand with penalties for unnecessary felling and damage; The maximum length of time timber is left at roadside and the associated penalties imposed due to moisture loss if sold by weight.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use of a “docket system” or other appropriate systems and designate times when timber lorries can enter the site.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provide for the termination of the sales agreement if any of the provisions of the contract are not adhered to with arbitration in the event of disputes between parties.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThis is not a comprehensive list of what should be in your timber sales contract. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.itga.ie\/services\/information\/sales-systems\">The Irish Timber Growers Association have developed a very useful ‘Tree Sales Agreement’<\/a>. It is important to have your solicitor give their professional advice on any contract drawn up. Some foresters\/forest companies may also offer you a package where they undertake to harvest, transport and sell your timber. Management costs are generally charged as a percentage of the net timber value. Transparency in all stages of this process is very important. As the seller, you will be liable for all costs. Ensure the terms of such a package are covered under an appropriate contract.\r\n<h2>Other factors to consider<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Who is buying the timber? The forester\/forest company, a sawmill or other end user?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>What prices are being offered by the end user, get written quotes.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be clear of the costs involved.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>What are the responsibilities of the forester \/ forestry company?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>What are the tax implications?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nOn clearfelled sites, there is an obligation under the 2014 Forestry Act to replant. Some foresters\/forest companies may offer to tie in a replanting contract with the above harvesting model. If you wish to avail of this, be fully aware of the conditions of the contract, how many years of management are included and seek a break down costs involved.\r\n\r\nTeagasc provide independent and objective advice on all forestry issues. For further information, contact your local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/forestry\/staff--contact-us\/\">Teagasc forestry staff<\/a> and visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/forestry\">forestry section of the Teagasc website<\/a>.","id":"139211","title":"Organising a Timber Sales Contract","category":"Forestry","release_date_time":"2025-06-20 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Organising-a-Timber-Sales-Contract-graphic-1-700x400-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/OviCast-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-20","description":"Sheep 2025, the largest dedicated sheep-focused open day on the island of Ireland, takes place tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, from 10am to 5pm at the Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway.","main_body":"For this week’s OviCast, Teagasc’s Michael Gottstein and Margaret O’Donovan preview this free event for us.\r\n\r\nMichael acknowledges the vital contributions of industry partners and sponsors who help make the event possible. He also walks us through the extensive range of technical information that will be available on the day. Michael highlights the breed competitions and shares some of the other key attractions attendees can look forward to.\r\n\r\nMargaret provides insights into the trade stands that will be present and discusses additional features of the day – from butchery and cookery demonstrations to sheep shearing and dog training demos.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tune in for a full preview of what’s on offer at Sheep 2025, a must-attend event for anyone involved in or interested in sheep farming:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/e4e81228\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/national-events\/events\/sheep-2025.php\">Find out more about Sheep 2025 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/sheep\/ovicast-sheep-podcast\">For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page here<\/a>.","id":"139209","title":"Listen: What to expect at Sheep 2025","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-06-20 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/OviCast-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Martin-Crowe-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-20","description":"Farmers are invited to an important farm walk that will showcase some of the key actions award winning dairy farmer, Martin Crowe has taken to protect water quality on his farm.","main_body":"Farming in Doon, Co. Limerick, Martin Crowe was crowned the winner of the ‘Improving Water Quality’ category of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024. On Tuesday, June 24 and as part of a Teagasc Signpost Programme event titled ‘Award-Winning Water Quality in Action’, farmers will be given the opportunity to see first-hand the actions he’s taken that warranted this award.\r\n\r\nMartin has lowered his farm’s nitrogen balance by optimising soil fertility, incorporating clover and making better use of organic manures; the provision of extra slurry storage has greatly helped the latter. Other key features on the farm include the installation of a bunded drain alongside the farmyard to capture runoff, and the construction of a pond that acts as not only biodiversity feature but also as a sediment trap.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, attendees will hear how Martin has made the best use of Pollution Impact Potential (PIP) maps to identify the risks to water quality on his farm. Other initiatives, including Martin’s involvement in the Mulkear European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and Farming for Water EIP, will be discussed.\r\n<h2>When and where?<\/h2>\r\nTo learn more about what Martin is doing on his farm to reduce the risk to water quality, visit his farm on June 24 at 11am. The farm is located at Carrigmore, Doon, Co. Limerick. Eircode: V94 HV56.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/national-events\/events\/water-quality-walk.php\">More information on the Award-Winning Water Quality in Action event is available here<\/a>.","id":"139205","title":"A first-hand look at actions to improve water quality","category":"Environment","release_date_time":"2025-06-20 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Martin-Crowe-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/AgroChallenge-team-2025-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-20","description":"Students Aoife Randles, Mark O’Sullivan, James Lynch and Aisling Burke are putting in their final preparations before departing to compete in this year’s AgroChallenge in the Netherlands.","main_body":"Now in its eight year and hosted by EUROPEA Netherlands from June 24-27, the Irish team from Clonakilty Agriculture College and Salesian Agricultural College Pallaskenry will compete against teams of students from 15 countries. Over the course of the competition, they will partake in 18 timed tasks, assessing their skills in the areas of animal husbandry, crop agronomy, forestry and machinery operation.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Irish team consists of:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Aoife Randles, Co. Kerry, attending Clonakilty Agricultural College,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mark O’ Sullivan, Co. Cork, attending Clonakilty Agricultural College,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>James Lynch, Co. Clare, attending Salesian Agricultural College Pallaskenry,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Aisling Burke, Co. Limerick, attending Salesian Agricultural College Pallaskenry.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAfter the opening of the competition on Tuesday, June 24, the Irish team will face into two days of competition, something they have being preparing for diligently in run up to the competition under the guidance of mentors John Flannery, Assistant Principal and Teacher at Salesian Agricultural College Pallaskenry, and Miriam Dineen, College Teacher at Clonakilty Agricultural College.\r\n\r\nSpeaking in advance of the competition, Miriam Dineen said: “Everyone at Clonakilty Agricultural College is getting behind the Irish team, who are very excited to demonstrate their practical learnings on an international stage, competing with some of the brightest and the best of land-based students across Europe.”\r\n\r\nJohn Flannery added: “Competitions like AgroChallenge foster teamwork, where students from various colleges and backgrounds can come together to represent Ireland on the largest stage. Aoife, Mark, James and Aisling have done the groundwork in advance of AgroChallenge 2025, and we wish them every success in the competition.”\r\n\r\nSending support and best wishes to the Irish team ahead of the competition, Head of Education at Teagasc, Dr. Anne-Marie Butler added: “Along with providing an international flavour to their education journey, competitions like AgroChallenge are an opportunity for students to take their learnings from agricultural colleges and showcase them on the biggest of stages, while also fostering peer-to-peer learning and team building, skills that will stand to them throughout their future careers. At Teagasc, we wish Aoife, Mark, James and Aisling all the best in AgroChallenge 2025.”\r\n\r\nJames Maher, Education Specialist at Teagasc, added: “AgroChallenge will be a great experience for the Irish team, providing them with opportunity to represent their country at something they are passionate about. Aoife, Mark, James and Aisling get the opportunity to do that, and we wish them all the best in the competition over the coming days.”","id":"139200","title":"Rising to the ‘AgroChallenge’ in the Netherlands","category":"Other","release_date_time":"2025-06-20 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/AgroChallenge-team-2025-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Jessys-guide-to-farm-safety-1-700x369-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-19","description":"A pioneering initiative by Teagasc, which blended digital learning and creativity to promote farm safety among children took place today, Thursday, 19 June 2025.","main_body":"The Stay Safe with Jessy Farm Safety Campaign consisted of an online webinar and art competition for primary school children, which brought together creativity and learning around farm safety for young artists, their educators and their families across the country.\r\n\r\nOver 1,300 children submitted artwork in response to the competition, showcasing a huge variety of styles and impactful farm safety messages through drawings, paintings, and slogans.\r\n\r\nThe winning children were announced during the live webinar, with the top entries receiving Smyths Toys Vouchers, a Lily Nolan Memorial Trophy and a farm safety workshop visit for their school from Agrikids in 2026.\r\n\r\n<strong>Congratulations to the categories winners who were:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Junior – Senior Infant Category<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Overall winner: Hannah Riney, Co. Kerry<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Runner up: Cillian Carry, Co. Meath<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>1<sup>st<\/sup> – 3<sup>rd<\/sup> Class Category<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Overall winner: Crioadh Small, Co. Cavan<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Runner up: Conor Hosford, Co. Cork<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>4<sup>th<\/sup> – 6<sup>th<\/sup> Class Category<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Overall winner: Aaron from Co. Galway<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Runner up: Chloe Lutter, Tuam, Co. Galway<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe  webinar hosted by Alison Maloney of Teagasc was live streamed to over 8,000 primary school children in the country from the Teagasc studio in Oak Park, Carlow.  Joining Alison in studio was Jessy the Sheepdog and Francis Bligh, Farm Safety Specialist in Teagasc.  Adding an exciting interactive element to the event, a live stream to St. Joseph’s National School in Rathwire, Co. Westmeath brought pupils directly into the experience, where Alma Jordan of Agrikids engaged with them and the online audience in real time. The webinar was directed by Declan McArdle and produced by him and Charlie Smith both of Teagasc.\r\n\r\nTeagasc would like to thank all the children, parents, and teachers who made this event a success. The overwhelming response highlights the importance of farm safety.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/rural-economy\/farm-management\/farm-health--safety\/farm-safety-competition\/\">To view the recording of the webinar or see the winners’ pictures please visit here<\/a>.","id":"139197","title":"Little Leaders with Big Messages in Farm Safety Art Competition","category":"Other","release_date_time":"2025-06-19 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Jessys-guide-to-farm-safety-1-700x369-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Black-grass-cereal-weed-Feature.png","release_date":"2025-06-19","description":"As the end of the season for most cereal and break crops approaches, Crops Specialist at Teagasc, Shay Phelan reminds us that there is still one very important chore to complete over the coming weeks – walking crops to identify problem weeds.","main_body":"Walking your crops and identifying problem weeds such as wild oats, blackgrass, Italian ryegrass, or resistant chickweed, poppy speedwell etc. might seem like a tedious chore, but it is vitally important for protecting your farm into the future. Doing this now, before the harvest, and taking some notes or indeed taking action could save you money in the long run.\r\n<h2>Significant developments in grass weeds<\/h2>\r\nThis has been an important spring in terms of grass weed development in Ireland, with the positive identification of a sample of Italian Ryegrass that has triple stacked resistance. This means that it is resistant to glyphosate, als herbicides e.g. Pacifica Plus and ACCase herbicides e.g. Falcon. This has the potential to become the dominant grass weed in tillage systems and so needs to be carefully monitored.\r\n\r\nThe other significant development is the listing of Blackgrass as a noxious weed, joining ragwort and other weeds. While this will not cure the problem itself, it does mean it is now an offence under the 1936 Noxious weed act and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has powers to <strong><u>issue ‘Notices to Destroy’ letters<\/u><\/strong> in all instances where it becomes aware of the presence of noxious weeds, either from inspections or as a result of reports made by the public.\r\n\r\nWhile this might seem extreme, controlling the problem early is beneficial; a recent case study on a farm who had blackgrass estimated that eradicating the problem after it had become a significant problem cost almost €1,900\/ha over four years when loss of crop yield, fallow, stale seed beds, machinery costs etc. were taken into account. This doesn’t take into account the cost of putting measures in place to prevent the spread of the weed to other fields or farms. These costs, incurred in that case study, show the importance of walking your crops now and identifying any problems early. This allows you to put in place early control measures, saving a lot of money in the long run.\r\n<h2>Beans<\/h2>\r\nCrops are flowering at this stage but reports of chocolate spot have been low so far, although there have been some isolated reports. Black bean aphid has also been reported in a few crops but, as of yet, it doesn’t seem to warrant control (5% of crops infected). Disease control time is against most crops now as they are generally too tall for normal machinery to drive through without doing any damage. For those with high ground clearance sprayers, you can still apply Elatus Era 0.66l\/ha or Signum 0.5-0.75 kg\/ha.\r\n<h2>Crops and Technology Open day<\/h2>\r\nAll involved in the tillage and horticultural sectors are invited to the highly anticipated Crops and Technology Open Day.\r\n\r\nOrganised in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal, the Crops and Technology Open Day will take place in the Teagasc Crops Research Centre, Oak Park on Wednesday, June 25 from 10am.\r\n\r\nThe open day, which is held every two years, brings the Oak Park Crop Research Programme and other elements from across the broader Teagasc Research programme to the public, supported by researchers, PhD students and advisors. At the event, the latest innovations, research findings on all the main tillage crops and horticultural field crops, and advice will be displayed and discussed.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/national-events\/events\/crops-open-day.php\">Find out more and plan your visit to the Crops and Technology Open Day here<\/a>.","id":"139196","title":"Save money in the long run – identify grass weeds now","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-06-19 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Black-grass-cereal-weed-Feature.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Tillage-Edge-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-19","description":"The Teagasc Crops and Technology Open Day is taking place next week in Oak Park and, on this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Dr Ewen Mullins, Head of Crops Research, and Dermot Forristal, Crops Researcher in Teagasc, preview the event.","main_body":"As Ewen explains, it will take people most of the day to get through the full array of research and agronomy stands, crop workshops and machinery demonstrations, not to mention the horticulture area and potato desiccation area.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen to the Tillage Edge podcast below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/4fdbe27b\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nAll are welcome to attend and entry is free. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/national-events\/events\/crops-open-day.php\">For more details on the Crops and Technology Open Day, visit here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/crops\/crops\/the-tillage-edge-podcast\/\">For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast, visit here<\/a>.","id":"139194","title":"Oak Park Open Day promises to be a great event","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-06-19 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Tillage-Edge-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/ewes-and-lambs-at-grass-in-Ballyhaise-1.jpeg","release_date":"2025-06-19","description":"With almost one-third of the national sheep flock located in its surrounds, Fergus O’Rourke and Niall Conaty of Ballyhaise College provide an update on the sheep flock’s performance and explain how learning and commercial farming blend for better learning outcomes.","main_body":"There is a strong enrolment of sheep-focused students in our courses every year, seeking a balance of theory and practical-based learning – both students completing their Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and Level 6 Advanced Drystock Management courses.\r\n<h2>Lamb performance<\/h2>\r\nThe kind weather in the spring left the lambing season relatively easy with ewes and lambs turned out to grass in ideal conditions, which has had a positive impact on lamb performance. The lambs were weaned off the ewes on the 11<sup>th<\/sup> of June, with an average weaning weight of 34.6kg. This is 4.7kg heavier than the average weaning weight recorded on the 12<sup>th<\/sup> of June 2024. The knock-on effect of this improved lamb thrive is that we have drafted our first lambs to slaughter exactly one month ahead of last year. When looking at our 7- and 14-week weighings, we can see that, on average, lambs achieved an average daily gain (ADG) of 360g, excluding lambs reared from hoggets \/ ewe lambs. The farm does not creep feed lambs, so we are very happy with how lambs are doing so far this year.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139193\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/lambs-in-handling-unit-at-Ballyhaise.jpeg\" alt=\"Lambs in handling unit at Ballyhaise\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/>\r\n<h2>Health<\/h2>\r\nTo protect from clostridial diseases, all lambs have received both shots of their 10:1 clostridial vaccine and are foot-bathed regularly to prevent scald. We have noted the incidence of lameness is much reduced from the same period last year.\r\n\r\nTo date, lambs have only been dosed with a white drench (albendazole) for nematodirus control. Otherwise, regular faecal egg counts are taken to monitor the worm burden of the flock, which has remained low to date.\r\n\r\nFor blowfly control, forward lambs have been covered for blowfly with a short withdrawal pour on, while lighter lambs have received a product offering longer control with a corresponding longer withdrawal time.\r\n<h2>Grassland management and silage<\/h2>\r\nGrass growth is back for the third week in a row, with the sheep enterprise recording growth rates of 44kg DM\/ha\/day this week, leaving the farm with an average farm cover of 729kg and 15 days grazing ahead. First-cut silage was harvested in mid-May and was made in ideal conditions. Some of this area has been closed up for second cut, while more of it is available for the lambs to graze following weaning.\r\n<h2>Supporting learning through the Ballyhaise College flock<\/h2>\r\nThe sheep flock at Ballyhaise College plays a significant role in supporting the teaching of sheep modules to both our first- and second-year students. During first year, students spend 50% of their time in the classroom and the other 50% of their time developing skills and putting into practice what they have learned in the classroom. Students get experience right across the sheep production cycle, including lambing, feeding, healthcare, breeding and drafting lambs for finish. When students progress to second year, their attention moves to the management of the enterprise; weekly grass walks are completed, recorded through PastureBase Ireland, with the students then deciding on what paddocks to graze or remove as surplus silage.\r\n<h2>New Development<\/h2>\r\nBallyhaise College has recently been granted planning permission to carry out significant improvements to the facilities on the farm. A new sheep shed will be constructed, incorporating a mixture of slatted and straw-bedded accommodation, lambing pens, handling unit, training room along with a wash and boot room. This is an exciting development and will provide a modern and efficient working environment to support our students learning.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/education\/teagasc-colleges\/ballyhaise\/\">For more information and the courses available at Ballyhaise College, visit here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/dairy\/mapping-the-route-to-clover-at-ballyhaise-college.php\">Mapping the route to clover at Ballyhaise<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/other\/making-sustainability-real---a-ballyhaise-experience.php\">Making sustainability real – a Ballyhaise experience<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/other\/the-benefits-of-the-teagasc-green-cert-in-improving-farm-performance.php\">The benefits of the Teagasc Green Cert in improving farm performance<\/a>","id":"139191","title":"The Ballyhaise sheep enterprise – A working farm supporting learning","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-06-19 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/ewes-and-lambs-at-grass-in-Ballyhaise-1.jpeg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Cattle-in-hot-weather-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-18","description":"As it is getting to the time of year where parasite burdens can become a problem in cattle, Beef Specialist at Teagasc, David Argue shares key tips on dosing for stomach worms and lungworm.","main_body":"A dry early May followed by a damp and wet end of May \/ early June period means that burdens have started to develop, potentially affecting animals. Therefore, it is important to monitor and treat animals to prevent any illness or reduction in performance from occurring.\r\n\r\nOver the summer period, the expected live weight gain of 1.5-year-old cattle is 1kg\/head\/day in the first half of the summer. In the case of suckler-bred calves, we are expecting 1.2-1.3kg\/head\/day. If these animals are not achieving these daily live weight gains and are showing signs of ill-thrift, then steps may need to be taken to identify what parasites are active.\r\n\r\nExtra attention is needed when herding animals. It is important to keep an eye out for clinical signs of parasites by looking out for signs of coughing, respiratory problems and scouring.\r\n\r\nThe two main parasites we need to treat for during the grazing season are:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Lungworm<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Stomach worms<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h2>Lungworm<\/h2>\r\nLungworm or hoose is a parasitic infection of the respiratory tract in cattle and can be associated with a harsh persistent cough. It can be an issue for younger cattle in their first summer grazing grass. And, if left untreated, it can cause a severe outbreak, leading to respiratory issues, ill thrift or even death in some cases.\r\n\r\nAfter their first grazing season, cattle usually have had some level of exposure to lungworm. Therefore, they are likely to develop sufficient immunity to prevent clinical disease in the second grazing season. This is not always the case, so regular monitoring is required to ensure no issue arises.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/beef\/lung-worm-hoose-dictyocaulus-viviparous--the-facts.php\">Read more on the best practice for controlling lungworm here<\/a>.\r\n<h2>Stomach worms<\/h2>\r\nStomach worms in calves causes scouring, lack of thrive and anaemia, in severe cases. To reduce the risk of stomach worms, cattle should be turned out onto low-risk pasture. If calves are turned out onto high-risk pasture, such as fields used as permanent calf paddocks, then a dosing programme may be required in the first eight weeks of grazing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Dr. Orla Keane of Teagasc Grange featured on a recent episode of the Beef Edge podcast, where she detailed a new project that will test for anthelmintic resistance in Ireland. Listen in below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/98e6cdf5\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nJuly is the month when dosing will begin for many spring-born calves. Dairy-beef calves will be much more susceptible to stomach worms than suckler calves because they have a higher intake of grass from an earlier age. Therefore, caution needs to be taken earlier in the year. Spring-born suckler calves will be more at risk later in the grazing season, as their grass intake increases prior to weaning.\r\n<h2>Selecting a product<\/h2>\r\nBefore selecting a product to dose for stomach worms, take a faecal sample to complete a faecal egg count. Faecal sampling is an effective tool to determine the level of stomach worms present in animals. It can also act as a good way to identify if any of the three anthelmintic wormers mentioned below are actually working your farm. If the results indicate &gt;200 eggs per gram of faeces, there could be an issue on the farm and these animals should be dosed accordingly. If the results show &lt;200 eggs per gram then monitor the animals for a few weeks and resample to see if there has been a change in worm count. Control of stomach worms on farms is usually achieved by the administration of one of three anthelmintic doses:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Benzimidazole (white)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Levamisole (yellow)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Macrocyclic lactone (Clear).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nIt is important to contact your vet for advice on proper diagnosis and treatment of lungworm and stomach worm infections. In some cases, products are used that may not treat the parasite that you are intending on treating for.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/beef\/dairy-calf-to-beef\/dairybeef-500\/dairybeef-500-factsheets\/combating-internal-parasite-infection-on-farms\/\">Available here, the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 team has compiled a useful factsheet on combating internal parasites on dairy-beef farms<\/a>.","id":"139186","title":"Time to dose?","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-18 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Cattle-in-hot-weather-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/BeefEdge-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-18","description":"Chloe Millar from the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast, providing an update on calf rearing this spring and management on the farm currently.","main_body":"Coming from seven different herds, 381 calves - after specific sires and with high Dairy Beef Indexes - were sourced on the farm this spring.\r\n\r\nChloe talks through the process from once the calf arrives on the farm up to weaning. They were on average 80 days of age and 93kg at weaning. Chloe also outlines the key targets for these calves over their lifetime and how the cattle finished last year.\r\n\r\nPerformance at grass is very important to every beef system and Chloe outlines the management at grass currently and the reseeding that was carried out this year.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen to the full episode of the Beef Edge podcast below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/5812b835\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/animalhealthireland.ie\/event\/calfcare-event-ballyvadin-beef-farm\/\">The Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm will host an AHI\/Teagasc CalfCare event on June 24 at 7pm, click here for further details<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/animalhealthireland.ie\/event\/calfcare-event-peoples-farm\/\">There are a number of CalfCare events taking place from June to 23 to 26, further details are available here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/thebeefedge\">Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com, more episodes of the Beef Edge podcast are available here<\/a>.","id":"139182","title":"Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm Update","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-18 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/BeefEdge-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Black-grass-cereal-weed-Feature.png","release_date":"2025-06-18","description":"Resistance testing is essential - it determines which herbicides are still effective and which are not, allowing for informed decision-making and where necessary, the implementation of strict zero-tolerance measures, writes Vijaya Bhaskar, Teagasc Weed Researcher.","main_body":"As part of the DAFM-funded EVOLVE project, Teagasc is offering a free weed seed resistance testing service for a limited time. We strongly encourage growers and industry to take advantage of this opportunity to test weed populations that are suspected or difficult to control.\r\n\r\nFor successful testing, good sample collection is crucial (Figure 1). You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/media\/website\/crops\/crops\/Herbicide-Resistance-Testing-Application-form_15052023.pdf\">access the resistance testing form and seed collection instructions here<\/a>, or by scanning the QR code at the end of this article.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139179\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/early-detection-and-monitoring-700x454-1.png\" alt=\"early detection and monitoring, details in text\" width=\"700\" height=\"454\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>Figure 1:<\/strong> Viable seeds from all weed populations will be grown in a glasshouse and sprayed using a precision track sprayer. The full label rates of ACCase, ALS, hormone or glyphosate herbicides will be applied at the 2-4 leaf stage for grass weeds and the 4-6 leaf stage for broadleaf weeds. Test results will then be provided directly to the grower or agronomist who submitted the samples, enabling informed, tailored weed management decisions. The full process typically takes 8 to 10 weeks, depending on the quality of the samples.\r\n\r\nTo date we have confirmed herbicide resistance in nine weed species (5 grass and 4 broadleaf) with varying resistance patterns (see Table 1).\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 1. Confirmed herbicide-resistant grass and broadleaf weeds in Ireland<\/strong>\r\n<table class=\"tblClean\" width=\"642\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"157\"><strong>ACCase  herbicides<\/strong><strong>(Axial, Falcon, Stratos or Centurion)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"180\"><strong>Broad-spectrum ALS herbicides<\/strong><strong>(Pacifica or Broadway)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"142\"><strong>Broadleaf-active ALS herbicides <\/strong><strong>(Ally Max, Cameo Max)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"79\"><strong>Auxin mimics<\/strong><strong>(2,4-D)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td width=\"85\"><strong>Glyphosate<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"157\">Wild oats\r\n\r\nItalian ryegrass\r\n\r\nBlackgrass<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"180\">Italian ryegrass\r\n\r\nBlackgrass\r\n\r\nAnnual meadow grass\r\n\r\nRough-stalk meadow grass\r\n\r\nCommon chickweed\r\n\r\nCommon field-Speedwell\r\n\r\nCommon poppy\r\n\r\nCorn marigold<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"142\">Common chickweed\r\n\r\nCommon poppy\r\n\r\nCorn marigold\r\n\r\nCommon field-speedwell<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"79\">Common poppy<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"85\">Italian ryegrass<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139178\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/collect-1-to-2-mugs-of-seeds-for-smaller-weed-seeds-and-1-to-2-pints-for-larger-weed-seeds-700x274-1.png\" alt=\"Collect 1 to 2 mugs of seeds for smaller weed seeds and 1 to 2 pints for larger weed seeds\" width=\"700\" height=\"274\" \/>\r\n\r\nAct now to ensure effective weed management for the next season and beyond.\r\n\r\nYou can access the resistance testing form by scanning the QR code below.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-139177\" src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/QR-code-for-herbicide-resistence-testing-300x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"QR code for herbicide resistence testing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>","id":"139175","title":"Suspect resistance? Send us your weed seeds for testing!","category":"Crops","release_date_time":"2025-06-18 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Black-grass-cereal-weed-Feature.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/OviCast-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-17","description":"With the shearing season in full swing, on this week’s OviCast, we're joined by Pat Coffey, merchant, wool exporter, and member of the Irish Grown Wool Council.","main_body":"<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/156db852\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nPat brings four generations of experience to the wool industry and gives us a valuable insight into the current state of the wool market, explaining some of the key factors influencing it today.\r\n\r\nWe discuss best practices in shearing and how they impact wool quality, including the importance of the Shear Success guide recently distributed to farmers as part of the 2024 census.\r\n\r\nPat also walks us through the journey that wool takes from the farm to market, explaining how it’s often blended with fibres from other countries to meet customer specifications.\r\n\r\nWe wrap up with a look at ongoing work in the sector, including a new initiative piloted last year that delivered higher returns for farmers.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/irishgrownwoolcouncil.com\/shear-success-guide-for-sheep-farmers-2\/\">Shear success guide<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/sheep\/ovicast-sheep-podcast\">More episodes from the OviCast podcast<\/a>","id":"139172","title":"Listen: Wool, shearing and improving the market prospects","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-06-17 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/OviCast-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/strong-lambs-in-Athenry-1-700x400-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-17","description":"For early March lambing flocks weaning time has arrived and it is important to have a plan in place. Damian Costello, Sheep Specialist, gives his advice.","main_body":"The recommended age to wean lambs in most cases is at 14 weeks or 100 days of age. Weaning should not be unduly delayed beyond this timeframe as it can have a negative impact on both ewes and lambs. For later lambing flocks, count on 14 weeks from the mean lambing date to work out your optimum date for weaning.\r\n<h2>Reasons to wean lambs at 14 weeks of age<\/h2>\r\nTwin rearing ewes milk yield has peaked when lambs were 5 weeks old and has been in decline since. When lambs are 12 – 14 weeks of age, ewes are producing very little milk and milk is contributing little to the lamb’s overall diet. The lambs grass requirement is rising sharply at this stage and is up around 1.2kg grass dry matter per head per day at 14 weeks of age while ewe’s requirement for grass is in decline.  On higher stocked farms, grass supply has been running tight but on almost all sheep farms grass quality has proven difficult to maintain in recent weeks. Weaning should be planned around having quality grass available for lambs such as silage aftermath or areas that have been topped post last grazing to reset grass quality.\r\n<h2>Benefits to ewe from timely weaning<\/h2>\r\nFrom the ewe’s perspective, once lambs reach 14 weeks of age they are within 16 to 17 weeks of the next mating season. If we take a two week drying off period, we are down to 14 to 15 weeks for ewes to recuperate and get ready for a new breeding season. It’s estimated that it can take the average lowland ewe around 10 to 12 weeks to build one body condition score (eg BCS 2.5 up to 3.5) leaving no time to play with for thinner ewes if weaning is delayed.\r\n<h2>Planning for the weaning process<\/h2>\r\nAt farm level there is sometimes a reluctance to wean until one or two drafts of lambs have been taken due to a perceived drop off in performance post weaning. Yes there will be an initial setback for the 3 to 4 days when lambs will be unsettled and calling for their mothers but after this the main group of lambs will perform much better long term when given priority access to the best quality grass available. Weaning should be planned around a draft of all lambs fit for market with the remaining lambs also weaned on that day. The aim is to wean abruptly and ideally put ewes and lambs out of sight and sound of each other. As previously mentioned lambs should be moved onto a good quality grass sward. It is good practise to take a faecal sample from lambs and treat for stomach worms if needed as well as addressing any other health issues to minimise stress on lambs. In practical terms returning the ewes to a field that is reasonably well grazed out with low grass cover is the simplest way to complete the drying off process. It is not necessary to over restrict ewes as they will be drying off naturally at this stage and after two weeks on lower grass covers the process will be complete. Thinner ewes should be separated out at this stage and put on good grass to regain body condition while remaining ewes in good condition can be used to graze out paddocks after the lambs in a leader follower system. Once lambs have settled down post weaning it is a good time to take stock of how lambs have performed and put a plan in place for marketing lambs. This can include separating out forward lambs into a finishing group to facilitate a controlled level of concentrate supplementation.\r\n<h2>When to consider early weaning<\/h2>\r\nThe following are among the situations where weaning lambs from 10 weeks of age can benefit overall flock performance:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Where grass supply or quality is limited, weaning to reduce demand can be justified. Pre weaning ewe demand will be around 2.5kg dry matter per ewe per day and this can be cut in half post weaning hence reducing overall demand.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Yearling ewes that have reared lambs benefit from weaning at 10 – 12 weeks as it allows them more time to recover body condition and it should be acknowledged that these animals are still growing also. On Irish farms it is common to start to lamb yearlings 2 – 3 weeks after the mature ewes meaning they should be all weaned about the one time.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>On farms that tend to always struggle with ewe body condition, early weaning can help break the cycle and allow building ewe body condition to commence a few weeks earlier.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Sheep 2025<\/h2>\r\nThe highly anticipated Sheep 2025 event offers an unparalleled opportunity for farmers, industry professionals and the general public to explore the latest innovations and trends in the Irish sheep Industry. The event will feature a huge range of attractions, technical presentations and engaging demonstrations, making it an essential event for anyone involved in the Irish sheep sector.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/national-events\/events\/sheep-2025.php\">Sheep 2025 takes place on Saturday, 21<sup>st<\/sup> June from 10am to 5pm at the Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway.<\/a>","id":"139169","title":"Preparation for weaning of lambs","category":"Sheep","release_date_time":"2025-06-17 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/strong-lambs-in-Athenry-1-700x400-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Watercourse-and-margins-feature.png","release_date":"2025-06-16","description":"Farmers and the wider agricultural industry have the opportunity to make a meaningful change to Ireland’s water quality. That was a key message delivered by Director of Research in Teagasc, Professor Pat Dillon at the EPA Water Conference 2025, held on Thursday, June 12th.","main_body":"For this to come to fruition, however, practice change at farm level and continued stakeholder collaboration across existing water quality programmes is required.\r\n\r\nThe solution to this is the implementation of the Better Farming for Water Campaign, with Professor Dillon noting that it “strives to support and accelerate the adoption of actions on all farms – but particularly in locations where agriculture is a significant pressure – to improve water bodies to good or high ecological status.”\r\n\r\nBuilt upon 8-Actions for Change, the Better Farming for Water Campaign is following a catchments approach to deliver improvements to water quality, focusing on the Bandon, Lee, Blackwater, Suir, Nore, Barrow, Slaney and the Boyne catchments – eight areas that were classified as being ‘Catchments of Concern’ due to high nitrate concentrations by the EPA. And, leading the water quality improvement charge in these catchments will be the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/environment\/teagasc-appoint-river-catchment-co-ordinators.php\">recently appointed Teagasc River Catchment Co-ordinators<\/a>.\r\n<h2>Farmer actions<\/h2>\r\nAlong with providing an overview of the Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign, Professor Dillon delved further into actions that farmers can take – regardless of their enterprise or location - to bring about an improvement in water quality.\r\n\r\n“All farmers can take actions to improve water quality,” Professor Dillon noted, “and the implementation of the Better Farming for Water Campaign sets a framework, centring on important areas such as nutrient management, farmyard manure and land management to do so.”\r\n<h2>Nutrient management<\/h2>\r\nFrom a nutrient management perspective, Professor Dillon discussed the importance of reducing purchased nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses at farm level, leveraging tools such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>AgNav to support a reduction in nitrogen balance,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Increased and targeted use of organic manures to reduce the reliance on chemical N,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Optimisation of soil fertility – starting with the correction of soil pH before addressing phosphorus and potassium deficiencies – to facilitate increased nitrogen use efficiency and to allow for greater incorporation of white clover within grazing swards,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>PastureBase Ireland to increase nutrient use efficiency.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Farmyard management<\/h2>\r\nOn the topic of farmyard management, Professor Dillon strongly encouraged farmers to survey their current slurry storage capacity and potential areas for point source pollution. Surveying the former, he explained, is important based on current grant support and the eminent exemption from planning.\r\n\r\n“Preliminary findings from the Teagasc National Slurry Storage Monitoring Programme, led by Dr. Pat Tuohy, point to the need for approximately 20% more slurry storage on farms.\r\n\r\n“Although the second year of this study is underway to verify this result, increasing slurry storage capacity at farm level has many advantages, namely: maximising the fertiliser replacement value of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; reducing nutrients lost to water; and reducing nitrogen surplus on farms by replacing chemical nitrogen fertilisers,” Professor Dillon commented.\r\n\r\nPoint source pollution from farmyards and roadways can be a significant source of nutrients and sediment to water. Again, referring to initial findings from the Teagasc National Slurry Storage Monitoring Programme, Professor Dillon said that significant amounts of water are entering storage tanks, somewhere in the region of 20-40L\/cow\/week. Taking action - such as ensuring that gutters and downpipes are in working order, diverting clean rainwater away and by reducing soiled areas within the farmyard - can reduce the potential for challenges to water quality occurring.\r\n\r\n“Where required, Teagasc is advising farmers to develop a plan to upgrade their infrastructure to reduce nutrient loss while also taking cognisance of labour efficiency,” Professor Dillon added.\r\n<h2>Land management<\/h2>\r\nA key pillar of the 8-Actions for Change within the Better Farming for Water Campaign, Professor Dillon also discussed the key actions farmers can take to improve water quality through land management. Some key actions include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>All livestock should be prevented from accessing waterways,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Buffer zones, riparian margins and sediment traps should be incorporated to reduce over land flow loss to waterways,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Over-winter green cover is essential in reducing nitrate leaching from tillage ground.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThrough the Better Farming for Water EIP, there is funding available to farmers to implement many of these actions on their farms. Farmers should contact their local ASSAP advisor immediately on how they can avail of these financial supports.\r\n\r\nIn his concluding comments to the EPA Water Conference 2025, Professor Dillon noted that water quality in Ireland is good in an EU context, but there are significant opportunities for improvement. For these improvements to occur, the adoption of the 8-Actions for Change will require changes to farm practices while being integrated into the farm system.\r\n\r\nDownload Professor Pat Dillon's presentation in the below link (PDF):<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/pdfs\/Prof-Dillon-presentation-to-EPA-Water-Conference-2025.pdf\">Putting the Better Farming for Water Campaign into Action Focus on the Blackwater Catchment<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/publications\/2024\/better-farming-for-water---8-actions-for-change.php\">For more information on the Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign, visit here<\/a>.","id":"139166","title":"Opportunities exist to improve water quality","category":"Environment","release_date_time":"2025-06-16 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Watercourse-and-margins-feature.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/DairyEdge-Thumbnail.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-16","description":"Padraig McCormack, Dairy Advisor at Teagasc Moorepark, joins Stuart Childs on this week’s Dairy Edge to discuss what’s currently happening on the farms in his area.","main_body":"<h2>Grassland management<\/h2>\r\nPadraig outlines the grazing situation in the area, which is beginning to get back on track followed a prolonged spell of dry weather a month ago. Quality has been variable, but people are looking at removing surplus in the coming week as growth is exceeding demand on average.\r\n\r\nPadraig spoke about fertiliser advice - from nitrogen rates to sulphur - and also phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) where surplus grass is removed.\r\n<h2>Late-calving cows<\/h2>\r\nAlong with grassland management, Padraig also discusses breeding performance in his area, which is looking good, and he reminded listeners to plan to stop breeding. He notes that July 20<sup>th<\/sup> is the cut off date to avoid May calvers in 2026. From his profit monitor meetings in the spring of 2025, the justification for calving a cow in May is non-existent given the cost of keeping the cow and the return she will generate in her 2025 lactation.\r\n<h2>On-farm investments<\/h2>\r\nThe investments that his clients are considering, was also discussed, with slurry storage on some people’s minds but clarity around storage requirements and planning is slowing movement in that area. Investing in things to make life easier is where it is at, with people looking to avail of grants on heat detection systems, drafting gates and calf feeders.\r\n<h2>Taking a break<\/h2>\r\nFinally, Padraig ends by telling us that currently his groups are either planning or heading away on some visits away from their own farms. He suggests that people should plan to take holidays and plan to get a few days off when things quieten down once breeding is finished, and he reminds listeners of the excellent day out that is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">Moorepark Open day coming up on July 2<sup>nd<\/sup><\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listen to the full episode of the Dairy Edge podcast below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/7142d5ce\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nA co-production with LastCastMedia.com, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/the-dairy-edge-podcast\/\">more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast are available on the show page<\/a>.","id":"139163","title":"Dairy Advisor Update with Padraig McCormack, Moorepark","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-16 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/DairyEdge-Thumbnail.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Calves-at-grass-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-16","description":"Replacement heifers are the future of your herd, but how often do you weigh them to monitor performance? Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, Mark Treacy offers some key tips.","main_body":"Although much emphasis is placed on choosing the best available genetics to produce quality heifers, how well these animals are reared will have a large influence on whether their true potential is realised or not when they become part of the miking herd.\r\n\r\nUnderweight heifers will be less likely to go in calf or may end up calving later in the calving season. Even where these animals do go in calf, there are still negative consequences, with underweight heifers being shown to have poorer production and longevity within the herd.\r\n<h2>Targets<\/h2>\r\nHeifers should calve down at around two years of age, at 90% of their predicted mature cow weight. Achieving target heifer weights throughout the rearing period is key to achieving this. To calculate predicted mature cow weight, use the maintenance sub-index value of the heifers from your EBI report.  A maintenance value of €0 indicates a mature cow weight of about 640kg, with every €1 increase resulting in a 5kg drop in mature cow weight.\r\n\r\nMost farmers are aware of the importance of having heifers at 60% of mature cow weight at breeding. However, it is important that heifer weight is monitored throughout the rearing process to identified issues early when they can still be easily rectified.\r\n\r\nIdeally calves should be weighed. Where a weighing scales is not available on farm, they can often be rented in the locality, or a weigh band can be used as an alternative method.\r\n\r\nAt this stage, most of this year’s replacement heifer calves are just past the first key target weighing date of three months of age and should therefore be at least 20% of mature cow weight.  Preferential treatment should be given to calves which are behind target, with the most practical method being to run as a separate group.\r\n\r\nWhere heifers are underweight, it is also important to review how they were managed up to now, so similar issues do not occur again next year. The next key target will be to have this year’s heifer calves at 30% of mature cow weight at 6 months of age.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/dairy\/evening-milking-time-for-a-change.php\">Evening milking: Time for a change?<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/dairy\/refocus-on-grass-production-needed-on-dairy-farms.php\">Refocus on grass production needed on dairy farms<\/a>","id":"139160","title":"Tracking replacement heifer performance","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-16 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Calves-at-grass-1.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/cows-entering-milking-parlour-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-16","description":"Some 75% of dairy farmers start evening milking after 5pm, is it time for a change? Dairy Specialist at Teagasc, Martina Gormley discusses the benefits of a 16:8 milking split.","main_body":"‘The time the cows are milked at matters’ is a saying that has been around for some time, often used when discussing on-farm milking time - particularly evening milking time.\r\n\r\n75% of dairy farmers start milking after 5pm. For a small percentage, this time is set by the stage of the family. This is perfectly fine and an opportunity for change will come down the line. For the majority, however, the reason for 5pm is tradition and habit. If this is the case on your farm, ask yourself:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Does time expand to fill the time available?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Are inefficiencies occurring on the back of this?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>And is a 7pm or later finish time making dairy farming look unattractive?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nA typical working day typically looks like:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>30am - Morning milking start<\/li>\r\n \t<li>9am - Break<\/li>\r\n \t<li>10am to 1pm - Farm work<\/li>\r\n \t<li>1pm to 2pm - Lunch<\/li>\r\n \t<li>2pm to 5pm - Farm work<\/li>\r\n \t<li>5.00pm - Start evening milking<\/li>\r\n \t<li>7.00pm - Finished Milking and lock cows back in paddock<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nMilking time usually frames the day, as it is the start and finish time on most farms. After lunch, there are three hours before evening milking. If evening milking was brought forward to 4pm, there is now two hours. What would happen if you lost this hour?\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Less work done<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Same work done but work more efficiently<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Would need to outsource some work to get same work done<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFarmers who have made the switch and now start evening milking at 4pm say that time does in fact expand to fill the time that’s available and, at times, they were hanging around waiting for milking time. Research shows that there is very little - if any - change in milking times by season. Therefore, milking time is a habit\/tradition on most farms.\r\n\r\nFor a 16:8 hour milking interval (7am morning start and 3pm evening start), there is no reduction in milk yield because of milking earlier. Now is a great time to change evening milking time. There is nothing stopping you going back out working after milking. The key thing is that the most important job is done, and after that you can decide to take an evening off or go back out.\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/dairy\/benefits-of-having-a-relief-milker-this-summer.php\">Benefits of having a relief milker this summer<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>More from Teagasc Daily<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/news--events\/daily\/dairy\/teat-liners---time-for-a-change.php\">Teat liners – time for a change?<\/a>\r\n<h2>Moorepark Open Day<\/h2>\r\nTaking place on Wednesday, July 2, the Moorepark Open Day will feature a Working Effectively Village, where topics such as making dairy farms an attractive workplace, generational renewal options and education and career pathways will be discussed and showcased.\r\n\r\n<strong>Conor Hogan gives us an overview of what to expect at the Working Effectively Village at the Moorepark Open Day below:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe class=\"optanon-category-C0004 ot-vscat-C0004 \" title=\"Moorepark'25 Open Day - Working Effectively\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4kof4f0vLTE\" width=\"442\" height=\"785\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">Find out more and plan your visit to the Moorepark Open Day here<\/a>.","id":"139157","title":"Evening milking: time for a change?","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-16 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/cows-entering-milking-parlour-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Dairy-cows-on-early-grass-thumbnail-1.jpg","release_date":"2025-06-16","description":"*Chemical N fertiliser can be increased to 230 kg N\/ha, in paddocks with no clover, as long as whole farm N does not exceed 212 kg N\/ha. Soiled water used whenever zero chemical N application. +25kg organic N applied.","main_body":"Irish dairy farms have experienced major changes in relation to grassland over the past decade. Stocking rates have increased; nitrogen (N) fertiliser allowances and levels used have reduced; milk yields per cow have increased significantly. Also, wetter springs and drier summers are reducing pasture production.\r\n\r\nThe consequence is increased levels of concentrate and forage supplementation while cows are at grazing. However, grazed grass\/clover swards continue to be the cheapest feed source available on farms. They deliver nutrients 2.7 times cheaper that grass silage and 3.8 times cheaper than concentrate.\r\n\r\nData from PastureBase Ireland (PBI) shows that dry matter (DM) production on farms has not advanced in line with increased grass demand. Grass DM production has averaged 13.2t DM\/ha\/yr from 2014 – 2024.\r\n\r\nThere needs to be a refocus on increasing grass DM production on farms. There are many factors that influence pasture DM production, the main factors are: soil fertility, grazing management, using grass clover swards and nitrogen input.\r\n<h2>Soil fertility<\/h2>\r\nTo achieve high levels of grass growth – adequate soil fertility is essential. Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are very important nutrients and should be at Index 3 or 4. However if soil pH is not optimal, the plant cannot make efficient use of applied or soil P and K. Soil pH should be higher than 6.3 and preferably closer to 6.5 (for clover establishment and fixation).\r\n\r\nThe most recent report suggests that in 2024, soils on dairy farms were significantly below the levels required for optimum pasture growth and nutrient use efficiency.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Only 24% (about a quarter) of soils are at optimum pH, P and K,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Only 60% of soils have soil pH &gt;6.3,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>More than half (53%) of soils are only at Index 1 and 2 for P,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Just under half (47%) of soils at K levels at Index 1 and 2.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nClover is widely considered as a replacement for chemical N in grassland systems; however clover will not establish, or persist, in soils with a pH below 6.3.\r\n\r\n<strong>Dr. Michael Egan shares some key tips on establishing grass\/white clover swards in the below video:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"Oversowing White Clover\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o4xKi7QLl_s\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n<h2>Grazing management targets<\/h2>\r\nThere are a number of key grazing management targets which must be achieved to maximise herbage production during the grazing season:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Early February (Opening Farm Cover) &gt;1,000 kg DM\/ha,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Early April (start second rotation) 600 - 650 kg DM\/ha,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>April to August 150 - 180 kg DM\/LU,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mid-September (Peak farm cover) 1,100 kg DM\/ha,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>December 1<sup>st<\/sup> (Closing farm cover) &gt;750 kg DM\/ha.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThese targets are not achieved on many farms. Opening farm covers were &lt; 850 kg DM\/ha on average over the past three years. This has a major influence on the level of grass growth and supplementation needed in early spring.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 1: Target blueprint to grow 15.0 t DM\/ha<\/strong>\r\n<table class=\"tblClean\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Growth period<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Target grass production<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Current PBI Farms Performance (2013-2024)<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Top 100 Farms in PBI<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Spring<\/th>\r\n<td>2,000<\/td>\r\n<td>1,810<\/td>\r\n<td>2,090<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Autumn<\/th>\r\n<td>7,100<\/td>\r\n<td>6,157<\/td>\r\n<td>7,083<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Summer<\/th>\r\n<td>5,900<\/td>\r\n<td>5,264<\/td>\r\n<td>6,112<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Total<\/th>\r\n<td>15,000<\/td>\r\n<td>13,232<\/td>\r\n<td>15,286<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nPeak farm cover (mid-September) on farms has also been behind target at 850 kg DM\/ha compared with the target of 1,100 kg DM\/ha. If farmers are to increase overall DM production (&gt;14.5 - 15.0 t DM\/ha), the above targets need to be achieved in combination with seasonal grass growth targets (See table 1). The top 100 farms on PastureBase Ireland are reaching these goals and as a result the DM production on this cohort of farms is averaging 15.2 t DM\/ha.\r\n\r\n<strong>Dr. Áine Murray outlines the key steps in maintaining white clover swards in the below video:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sbJEpKVnnmo?si=iEX3abyukvcnSw5Z\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n<h2>Nitrogen input<\/h2>\r\nIt is important that chemical nitrogen (N) fertiliser input and paddock clover content are aligned. Individual paddock sward clover content is a key factor when implementing a strategic fertiliser programme. White clover can fix up to 100kg N\/ ha, but only if sufficient levels of clover in the sward (&gt;20% - average across the year) are present. If chemical N fertiliser is removed in the absence of adequate clover content, overall herbage production declines. Table 2 illustrates a N strategy developed based on paddock sward clover content. Nitrogen input is based on the April paddock clover content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Table 2: N strategy based on paddock sward clover content<\/strong>\r\n<table class=\"tblClean\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">April clover content %<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Mid Feb<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Mid March<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Mid April<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Mid May\r\n\r\n(2 rot)<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Mid June\r\n\r\n(2 rot)<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Mid July\r\n\r\n(2 rot)<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Mid Aug<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Mid Sept<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Total<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th colspan=\"10\">Chemical Fertiliser (kg N\/ha)<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Grass sward<\/th>\r\n<td>24<\/td>\r\n<td>36<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>32<\/td>\r\n<td>28<\/td>\r\n<td>28<\/td>\r\n<td>21<\/td>\r\n<td>23<\/td>\r\n<td>212*<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>5%<\/th>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>35<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>175<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>10%<\/th>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>35<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>10<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>150<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>15%<\/th>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>35<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>10<\/td>\r\n<td>Soiled water<\/td>\r\n<td>10<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>130<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>20%<\/th>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>35<\/td>\r\n<td>20<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>Soiled water<\/td>\r\n<td>Soiled water<\/td>\r\n<td>Soiled water<\/td>\r\n<td>15<\/td>\r\n<td>105<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"caption\">*Chemical N fertiliser can be increased to 230 kg N\/ha, in paddocks with no clover, as long as whole farm N does not exceed 212 kg N\/ha. Soiled water used whenever zero chemical N application. +25kg organic N applied.<\/p>\r\nPaddocks which have an adequate sward clover content have their N input reduced from mid-April; chemical N is replaced by targeted soiled water usage.\r\n\r\n<strong>As part of a recent Dairy Edge podcast, Dr. Michael Egan outlines the key management decisions for the performance of grass\/clover swards:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/bc59543b\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nTo conclude, farm dry matter production needs to be refocused and increased on dairy farms. Grazing management, ensuring seasonal grazing targets are achieved; using a precision N fertiliser programme; and clover incorporation, and maintaining optimum soil fertility will help to increase overall grass\/clover production.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/publications\/2025\/todays-farm-mayjune-2025.php\">The above article first appeared in the May-June edition of Today’s Farm, which can be accessed here<\/a>.\r\n<h2>Moorepark Open Day<\/h2>\r\nTaking place on Wednesday, July 2, the Moorepark Open Day will feature demonstrations and workshops on grazing management, reseeding, low emission slurry spreading, fertiliser type, white clover swards, calibration of fertiliser spreaders, farm infrastructure, manure storage options, body condition scoring, milk quality, calf rearing, genetics, and health and safety.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/animals\/dairy\/moorepark\/moorepark-open-day\/\">Find out more and plan your visit to the Moorepark Open Day here<\/a>.","id":"139153","title":"Refocus on grass production needed on dairy farms","category":"Dairy","release_date_time":"2025-06-16 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/Dairy-cows-on-early-grass-thumbnail-1.jpg"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/grassland-photos\/Grass10-Grazing-Courses-thumbnail.png","release_date":"2025-06-15","description":"Vincent Ronayne, Drystock Adviser with Teagasc Claremorris, shares key advice on managing grassland and silage after a dry spring, focusing on grazing, fertiliser use, silage planning, and weed control for summer 2025.","main_body":"<span class=\"article-date\" style=\"display: block;\">15 June 2025<\/span>\r\n<h1 class=\"tidy\">Summer Grassland Management<\/h1>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/teagasc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Grass10-Grazing-Courses-feature.png\" alt=\"Summer Grassland Management\" \/>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"addthis_inline_share_toolbox\" data-title=\"Summer Grassland Management\" data-description=\"Vincent Ronayne, Drystock Adviser with Teagasc Claremorris, shares key advice on managing grassland and silage after a dry spring, focusing on grazing, fertiliser use, silage planning, and weed control for summer 2025.\" data-media=\"\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/grassland-photos\/Grass10-Grazing-Courses-thumbnail.png\"><\/div>\r\n<!-- Go to www.addthis.com\/dashboard to customize your tools -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/s7.addthis.com\/js\/300\/addthis_widget.js#pubid=teagasc\"><\/script>\r\n<p class=\"intro\">Vincent Ronayne, Drystock Adviser with Teagasc Claremorris, shares key advice on managing grassland and silage after a dry spring, focusing on grazing, fertiliser use, silage planning, and weed control for summer 2025.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"222\" data-end=\"402\">Following the recent extended dry spell from early March to the last week of May, the grassland management plan for grass and silage stocks may need to be reassessed on many farms.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"404\" data-end=\"1183\">The fine weather facilitated the earlier-than-usual release of cattle from sheds here in the west. Additionally, the mild conditions improved mid-season lamb performance on most sheep farms. With good-quality grass and warm temperatures, stock have thrived over the past eight weeks. However, the prolonged dry period negatively affected grass growth in late May and early June, particularly on drier fields. While recent rainfall has helped, higher-stocked farms must now address this reduced growth to prevent a shortage of grass through the summer. Grasses appear to have headed out earlier than normal this year, and fields that are not usually topped until mid to late June would now benefit from topping post-grazing to encourage continued vegetative growth into the month.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"1185\" data-end=\"1737\">Phosphorus (P) and Potash (K) requirements should have already been applied. A top-up of Nitrogen (N), combined with the current mild rainfall, will support grass growth. At this point, due to fertiliser regulations and costs, all farms should have recently taken soil samples in order to make informed decisions on the nutrient levels required for each field. Any slurry remaining in tanks should be applied to harvested silage ground as early as possible to maximise its nutrient value, as much of the Nitrogen content is lost as the year progresses.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"1739\" data-end=\"2240\">Lime is often overlooked on many farms, yet it is possibly the most cost-effective long-term fertiliser available. For example, where land requires 2 tonnes of lime per acre, the resulting loss in nutrient availability can be equivalent to around 33% of fertiliser used. That means one bag out of every three is effectively wasted. A simple calculation shows that with a 50 kg bag of 18-6-12 fertiliser costing €25 and lime at €35 per tonne spread (lasting 4–5 years), the potential savings are clear.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2984\">This year, due to the dry spell, many farmers made silage earlier than usual in mid-May. These farmers would typically cut in early June, and so the yield in bales per acre is lower than in previous years. The main advantage of this early-cut silage is its likely high quality and excellent feed value. However, the lower yield will require an additional cut, which may not have been initially planned. It is essential to calculate requirements to ensure that enough bales are made to carry stock through the winter and account for the possibility of a difficult spring in 2026. For those who have already completed their first cut and need to make up a shortfall, it is important to fertilise promptly to allow for a second cut by late July.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"2986\" data-end=\"3752\">Finally, a note on weed control in grassland. Docks and thistles have become particularly prevalent on many farms this year. To maintain productivity, these weeds must be managed. Topping can help keep them under control but will not eradicate them. When spraying or using lick treatments, it is vital to follow the manufacturer's instructions, especially with dilution and application rates. A common misconception is that using more spray than recommended leads to a better kill. <strong>This is not true<\/strong>. Chemical companies invest millions in developing products that work optimally at specific rates. Applying too much can cause the leaves to die off quickly, allowing the roots to survive and regrow. The best approach is to always follow the manufacturer's guidelines.<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/content-type:Article content-layout:text-fulltext -->","id":"121567","title":"Summer Grassland Management","category":"Grassland","release_date_time":"2025-06-15 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-26 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/website\/news\/daily\/grassland-photos\/Grass10-Grazing-Courses-thumbnail.png"},{"feature_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/John-OHanlon-1-700x400-1.png","release_date":"2025-06-15","description":"The farm comprises 31.23 hectares of grassland, 6.12 hectares of forestry, and 1.53 hectares designated as a Riparian Buffer Zone.","main_body":"<p data-start=\"58\" data-end=\"188\">The farm comprises 31.23 hectares of grassland, 6.12 hectares of forestry, and 1.53 hectares designated as a Riparian Buffer Zone.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"190\" data-end=\"393\">John’s goal in joining the Growing Organics Programme was to make a genuine effort to run an efficient and profitable organic suckler herd on mixed-quality land, all while working full-time off the farm.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Suckler to store system<\/h2>\r\n<p data-start=\"424\" data-end=\"898\">The primary farming system revolves around a spring-calving suckler herd of 30 cows, with progeny sold at approximately 15 to 16 months of age during the summer months to maintain cash flow. The cows are crosses of Simmental, Limousin, and Hereford breeds, run alongside a Charolais bull. To date, all cattle have been sold conventionally through the local mart. Calves born since April 1, 2023, are now in conversion and are sold as organic once they reach 15 to 16 months.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"900\" data-end=\"1175\">Since transitioning to organic farming, several key changes have been made on the farm, including modifying animal housing to meet organic standards, addressing soil fertility through liming, creating additional paddocks, and establishing red clover and multi-species swards.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"1177\" data-end=\"1302\">John met with Organic Advisor Enda O'Hart in January to discuss the transition and share his plans for 2025.<\/p>\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wTFfy79WL3c?si=v0woOGSH9PEumk5H\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teagasc.ie\/rural-economy\/organics\/growing-organics\/\">Find out more about the Growing Organics programme<\/a>\r\n\r\n<!-- \/content-type:Article content-layout:text-fulltext -->","id":"121566","title":"Organic Suckler Farming with John O’Hanlon","category":"Beef","release_date_time":"2025-06-15 00:00:00","last_modified":"2025-06-27 00:00:00","thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/teagasc-dev.6bdv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/uploads\/John-OHanlon-1-700x400-1.png"}]}