Staff moratorium situation critical at Teagasc, Prof Boyle
Grave concerns were raised over the future operation of many Teagasc advisory services by its director Prof Gerry Boyle and its chairman Dr Noel Cawley this afternoon at the publication of the Teagasc...
View Article‘The right technology fuels dairy expansion sustainably’
The expansion of the Irish dairy industry has been of considerable financial benefit to both family farms and the wider rural economy over the last three years, according to the Director of Teagasc....
View Article‘Sustainability that will deliver’: Dairy farm open day this month
An open day for dairy farmers will be held by Teagasc and Glanbia Ireland on the Kildalton Open Source Sustainable Demonstration Farm on Thursday, October 19, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The dairy unit at...
View ArticleAre Irish beef farms resistant to gut worm treatments?
Calf-to-beef farmers have been busy competing with exporters at the ringside. Generally speaking, hardy Friesian bulls are making somewhere in the region of €125-170/head. Good management practices...
View ArticleDairy focus: The first day at grass in Co. Westmeath
Farming in Rosemount, Co. Westmeath, the grazing season kicked into gear on Michael Molloy’s dairy farm yesterday. Milking a herd of 112 British Friesian cows, Michael endeavors to get as much grass as...
View ArticleReminder: Hill Sheep Conference on in Mayo tonight
The Teagasc Hill Sheep Conference will take place in the Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo, this evening (Wednesday, February 21). At the upcoming event, Teagasc director Prof. Gerry Boyle...
View ArticleCork scientists make butterfat breakthrough for baby formula
Scientists in Co. Cork have made a breakthrough in making cow’s milk in infant formula more suitable for babies. This is done through modifying the fat to be more similar to the fat found in human...
View ArticleThe dos and the don’ts of taking dung samples
Dung sampling can be used as an effective tool in the fight against disease on cattle farms. It provides an indication of the various parasites that may be present. It can also be used to test the...
View ArticleDo you think you have a chance against a PTO?
Farming is the most dangerous occupation in Ireland. Last year, it accounted for over 50% of fatalities in all workplaces, FBD’s Ciaran Roche said at a recent farm safety demonstration in Mullingar....
View Article‘Expansion should only be planned if it will result in increased farm...
Expansion should only be planned if it is going to result in increased farm profitability and an improved livelihood for the farm family, according to Teagasc’s Dr. Donal Patton. The research officer...
View ArticleSafety focus: Are your handling facilities up to the task?
Livestock can be extremely dangerous and need to be respected. Last year, 24 farmers died in work-related accidents – 14 were aged 65 or older.safe Statistics from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA)...
View ArticleWhy good housing means less work when it comes to sheep
By Edward Egan, Teagasc drystock advisor A well-designed sheep shed is labour efficient; provides a healthy environment for the sheep and the shepherd; and makes the best use of space. The layout of a...
View ArticleNumber of farm accidents jumps by over 30% in the last 10 years
The number of farm accidents has jumped by 31% in the last 10 years, according a national survey of farm accidents conducted by the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS). An increase of 13% has been...
View ArticleAre you feeding your calves enough as the ‘cold snap’ approaches?
The country is in the grips of a major freeze and Met Eireann has issued a Status Orange snow and ice warning for the counties of Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Wicklow and Meath. A Status...
View ArticleFinishing young bulls: Are you set up for the job?
It is a well known fact that farmers running suckler enterprises do so under extremely tight margins. In recent times, farmers have been trying to add some value to their enterprises by finishing young...
View ArticleHow to put on a good bet with distilling barley
Producing distilling barley is a bit like backing a middle-of-the-road horse. It might get over the line, but there’s a fairly high probability that it will come last. In the case of producing...
View ArticleHow do I protect my water supply during the ‘cold snap’?
As the ‘Beast from the East’ prepares to clash with Storm Emma later this afternoon, farmers and rural dwellers have been warned to remain indoors from 4:00pm today and to exercise extreme caution. Met...
View ArticleAntibiotic resistance and residues: Prevention is better than cure
Antimicrobials are used to fight pathogenic microbes that cause disease. However, some diseases can develop resistance to these products. While this is not a major problem here in Ireland at the...
View ArticleHow can I keep my milking parlour in operation during the adverse weather?
Farmers around the country are doing their best to battle the blizzard-like conditions in an effort to keep livestock milked, fed and watered. Met Eireann has extended its Status Red snow and ice...
View ArticleGrowing a sheep farming business from 23ac to 400ac in Co. Mayo
Joe Scahill from Prospect, Westport, Co. Mayo, farms 400ac alongside his wife Cathy and four children Lisa (19), Kate (17), Sean (14) and Joseph (12). At the recent Teagasc Hill Sheep Conference, Joe...
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