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Protected urea reduces nitrogen losses, study shows

New research from Teagasc Johnstown Castle shows that nitrogen fertilisation is a major driver of fungal community change while the urease inhibitors found in protected urea have no significant effect on the fungal and bacterial communities. “We also found that the type of fertiliser (CAN or urea) resulted in differential effects on fungal communities, while bacterial communities were unaffected by either,” said Teagasc Soil Microbiologist Aoife Duff. Previous Teagasc research…

ICSA meat industry price analysis a wake-up call

ICSA has based its recent call on the meat industry to negotiate viable prices with customers for winter finishers on results of an analysis they say is “a big wake-up call. We see dairy farmers getting well in excess of 50c/l for low-cost summer milk…” And they’re motivating for EUR 7.50/kg based on the assumption that ration is EUR 500/ton. “These figures are based on examining Teagasc models but also…

Research finds no impact of soil inhibitors

A new study published by the Teagasc environment research centre has shown that there was no impact of soil inhibitors (urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) – incorporated into protected urea fertiliser) on the structure and abundance of soil bacterial and fungal communities. The research was conducted over a five-year period and followed repeated application to an intensively managed grassland. The research, which has been published in the scientific journal,…

Teagasc/ Boortmalt Joint Program Farm Walks

The Teagasc/ Boortmalt Joint Program will run a series of walks on monitor farms across the country. Next up is the walk on the farm of John Crowley, Ferns, Co. Wexford, Y21 TX82 on Thursday, 26 May, 2022 at 10am. Meanwhile, Declan O Hanlon’s farm is the location for the farm walk on Friday, 27 May at 10am. This is at New Ross, Co. Wexford, Y34 KT18. And the final venue for…

Teagasc Tillage Industry Ireland Tillage Biodiversity Photo Competition

Winners of the Tillage Biodiversity Photo Competition

Teagasc and the Tillage Industry Ireland have announced the talented winners of their Tillage Biodiversity Photo Competition. The competition aimed to highlight crop production in Ireland and biodiversity on tillage farms. The overall winner, announced by John Spink, is Christopher Bourke, Kanturk, Co. Cork, for his photo showing an Orange Tip Butterfly and friend on a charlock plant (pictured above). Spink, Head of the Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use…

Cavan farmer wins farm forestry award

The winner of the 2022 Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Teagasc Farm Forestry Award is Cavan farmer Cathal Rudden. He received his award from Teagasc Director Professor Frank O’Mara and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett at a May ceremony. In addition, Cork farmers Willie and Avril Allshire won the Special Commendation Award. They farm 48 hectares in Stradone, Co Cavan. In 2014,…

Tillage and Biodiversity Photo Competition

Teagasc and Tillage Industry Ireland have launched a photo competition to highlight the contribution of the Irish tillage sector to biodiversity in our countryside. To enter, take a photo that demonstrates any of the huge range of biodiversity that can be found on a tillage farm at this time of year, and submit it here. Entrants stand a chance to win the overall prize of a €250 One4All voucher, or…

Significant losses reported in pig farming sector

There have been significant losses in the pig farming sector, with the average 600-sow pig unit losing €206,000 since the start of 2022, according to Teagasc. This comes as the National Fodder and Food Security Committee held its third meeting earlier this week. According to Teagasc, the average producer is down by a further €58,000 in the past month. The authority estimates that the Irish pig sector has lost €54.2…

Quality of silage more important, says Teagasc

Teagasc says that it should be ‘quality over quantity’ when it comes to making silage this year. This comes as a discussion on silage making was held on the farm of PJ Finnerty in Co. Roscommon. The focus of the discussion was quality over quantity. Some farmers are focusing on bulk over the quality of silage, as it appears to be their aim in order to provide enough fodder next winter.…

Health and safety tips for farmers during springtime

As spring’s workload looms, farmers should take care to reduce potential injury risk or even death. Teagasc’s Health and Safety specialists, Francis Bligh and John McNamara, have compiled some suggestions for keeping safe at calving time, and when handling slurry and doing machinery activities. Pay particular attention to avoiding tractor knockdown or crush injuries, or getting attacked by a cow with a newborn calf during the coming months. Safety around…

Land prices to rise by 6% for 2022, survey reveals

A new survey indicates that rental prices are expected to increase by 10%, while land prices are set to rise by an average of 6% for 2022. This is according to the Agricultural Land Market Review Outlook Report 2022 published by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and Teagasc. The survey was based on information gathered from 95 auctioneers and valuers across Ireland. The report highlights that strong…

Teagasc’s factsheet for fertiliser on sheep farms

Teagasc has published a compendium of 20 factsheets providing the latest technical advice on soils, nutrients and fertiliser. The 19th of these is about fertiliser on sheep farms. Farmers are urged to focus on nutrient management planning, optimisation of soil fertility, using organic manures strategically and increasing clover in swards, all balanced with prudent fertiliser usage. Key decisions in the current financial climate: – Soil test where recent results are…

Severe losses facing pig farmers committee hears

There has been a moderate decrease in feed prices, but according to Teagasc costs are still very high and very volatile. This comes as the National Fodder and Feed Security Committee met yesterday to discuss the current trends facing the farming sector, with the group forecasting that feed ingredient prices are set to increase between €50 and €70/t in April and by €25/t in May. But this was the least…

Significant changes made to Teagasc soil management manual

Farm management brings with it the responsibility of ensuring that soil content is suitable to the type of farm that is being run. Focusing on soil management has been highlighted in the latest amendment made to Teagasc’s manual on drainage and soil management. Named the “best practice” document, it is aimed at farmers who are considering a drainage project on mineral soils and those managing land susceptible to damage in…

Pig slurry the alternative fertiliser, research indicates

There’s a new alternative to chemical fertiliser and it comes in an organic form, that is pig slurry. According to the latest findings farmers have resorted to this alternative as it contains a high source of Nitrogen. The finding comes as the country faces inflated fertiliser prices with farmers concerned about the matter. Latest figures released by Teagasc indicate that pig slurry is worth €48/1,000 gallons and has double…

New app assists with oilseed rape crops

There have been some positive outcomes regarding oilseed rape crops, as Teagasc tillage specialist Shay Phelan points out that crops at Teagasc Oakpark have good ground cover. The leaves of rape crops are understood to store nitrogen, raising the concern on whether or not to use fertilisers. But with the current state of affairs regarding high fertiliser prices, Phelan has questioned whether using the leaf cover area as a means…

Pig farmers facing large losses

It’s not looking bright for pig farmers this year as the market has suffered severe losses of €128 million for the period from September 2021 to the current period. This was believed to have been a topic of concern at a Teagasc webinar held on the finance-stricken industry earlier this week. According to Teagasc pig advisor Gerard McCutcheon, they addressed the costs and losses experienced by pig farmers and additionally…

Teagasc’s 2022 Crops Cost and Returns booklet available

Teagasc’s 2022 Crops Cost and Returns booklet is available for view. The publication guides on crop margins, and helps growers budget and plan for the season ahead. The good news is that despite the rise in inputs, margins are expected to remain positive once reasonable yields are achieved. This is helped by a projected green grain price of €200 for barley, €210 for wheat, €230 for malting barley and €195…