The Environment Edge

Continuing our discussion on organics with Teagasc's Organic Crops Specialist, Martin Bourke, and Wicklow tillage farmer, Tommy Delahunt, we hear about some of the obstacles Tommy has had to overcome, while Martin explains why the real legacy of organic farming will be in the years to come. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Tommy Delahunt, a tillage farmer in county Wicklow, who is in the Growing Organics programme, and Martin Bourke, Teagasc Organic Crops Specialist, join us to chat about Tommy's journey from conventional tillage to organic and how he has adapted his farming practices. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

We link up again for part two with James McGlone, manager of the Stranooden Group Water Scheme, and Teagasc ASSAP advisor, Domhnall Kennedy, who are protecting water in county Monaghan through a suite of mitigation measures on farms, ranging from nature based solutions to rush control techniques. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

A novel approach is being taken by the Stranooden Group Water Scheme to protect water in county Monaghan, working with catchment science and farmers to improve drinking water.  James McGlone, manager of the Stranooden Group Water Scheme, and Teagasc ASSAP advisor, Domhnall Kennedy, joins us for a chat. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Farmers have to deal with a lot of new terms that can become confusing and so, Leonard Betts, Teagasc Signpost Climate advisor, joins us to shed some light on the difference between nitrogen balance and nutrient use efficiency, its importance to farm economics and the environment. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Teagasc Forestry Specialist, Frances McHugh, joins us to chat about the financial supports which encourage people to develop and manage sustainable forests - and you don't have to be a farmer to apply. To find out more go to:https://capnetworkireland.eu/schemes-and-grants-in-forestry-agroforestry/ For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With 24,000 hectares of forestry windblown as a result of recent storms, making up 3% of the total planted forestry in Ireland, where can forest owners go from here and what support and advice is available? For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Teagasc's Dr Veronica Nyhan, Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist, joins us for a chat about the value of organic manure and how it can be used on farms.  For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With up to 1,500 estimated cases each year in Ireland, causing fertility issues, premature death in calves and other health problems, Dr Cliona Ryan, genetics and genomics postdoc researcher in Teagasc Moorepark, joins us to discuss new improved methods in identifying these issues. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Continuing our chat with young farmers, Karen Delaney and David Melody, who join us to reflect on 2024 and their hopes for 2025. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Karen Delaney and David Melody are two young farmers who join us to reflect on 2024 and planning for 2025. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Do you know the origin of holly and its many traditions?  Kevin O'Connell, Teagasc forestry development officer, tells us all about the traditions and myths around the holly tree, from Roman times to pagans and druids. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with frost on the ground and the Christmas trees going up across the country. Kevin O'Connell, Teagasc forestry development officer, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast for a festive chat about the origin of the Christmas tree and its management. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Anna Meenan, Traditional Farm Buildings grant scheme programme manager, and Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation with the National Heritage council in Kilkenny, join us to discuss the importance of historic farm building conservation and how to apply. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Continuing the topic of asking if farmers are going in the right direction in relation to improving water quality, Teagasc Agricultural Catchment Specialist Eddie Burgess discusses the challenge on Irish farms. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Are farmers going in the right direction in relation to improving water quality?  Teagasc Agricultural Catchment Specialist, Eddie Burgess, joins us to discuss the challenge on Irish farms. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Martina Gormley, chats to us on the latest Environment Edge about hours worked per cow and how farmers can reduce their overall labour demand. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Teagasc dairy advisor, Nigel Kennington, chats to us about planning and preparing ahead on farms for the winter period. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With 80 % of European habitats in decline, what implications does The Nature Restoration Law have for Ireland? Teagasc Principal Research Officer, Dr.  Daire O'hUallacháin, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss The Nature Restoration Law.  For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, Dr Catherine Keena, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss natural and semi-natural grassland. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

What is the nutrient value of your slurry and how much do you think 1,000 gallons is worth?  Teagasc ASSAP advisor, Hugh Rooney, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss all things slurry and how to get the best from it. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Stuart Childs, from the Dairy Edge podcast, joins us to chat all about the Teagasc Better Farming for Water, 8 Actions for Change Campaign. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Teagasc Tillage advisor in the Kilkenny/Waterford region, Mark Trimble, joins us to discuss catch crops and their benefits. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Head of Economics at Teagasc, Trevor Donnellan, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to chat about the National Farm Survey – Small Farms Report 2022. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

How do Inland Fisheries Ireland inspectors interact with farmers and what service can they provide at this time of year in relation to river and in drain works farmers plan to carry out? Cormac Goulding, Inspector with Inland Fisheries Ireland, discusses his job and working with farmers. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Farmers in Northern Ireland  were lucky to escape with their lives in April, when they were involved in a slurry gas incident and now is the time to think, plan and act to avoid these potential tragedies on our farms. Dr. John McNamara and Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety specialists join us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss slurry tragedies and near misses. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With rain of almost biblical proportions for the last eight months, farmers have been really struggling to get work done. The big question is why has this occurred and will it continue to happen into the future?  Head of Climate Services Division with Met Eireann, Keith Lambkin, joins Deirdre and Cathal to discuss 2023 being the warmest and third wettest year on record in Ireland. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Winners of the BT Young Scientist group project and Teagasc award, Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan students, Abigail and Erica O'Brien Murray and Olivia O'Shea, join us to discuss how we can save the common ash. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

How likely are you to get an inspection, what to expect and what are the top issues found during inspection?  Department of Agriculture District Inspector in the Integrated Controls Divisions, Raymond O'Neill joins us to discuss conditionality. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Matthew Moylan, ASSAP, Tirlan advisor, Kilkenny Tirlan, chats to Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast about how to minimise nitrogen leaching on farms.For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Mayo ASSAP advisor, Mary Roache, chats to Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast about the steps farmers can take to reduce the loss of phosphorus and sediment from their farm, helping to improve water quality in the local area. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

In the second of a two part series, Mary Kennedy and Mick Denver chat to us about the pirates of Mud Island, cattle drives from the North Circular road to the North wall, growing grapes in the city and the Judas goat. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

A thriving agricultural industry was going on in Dublin city in the 1950s, from pigs and horses to cows.  In the first of a two part series, Mary Kennedy and Mick Denver chat to us about the rare auld times as kids in Dublin city and listen in to hear about horse studs, TB, swine flu, the big Tolka flood and much more. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/Pic source: RTE

Mairéad Whitty, Local Authorities Water Programme and Project Lead for the Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and Noel Meehan, Teagasc, manager of the ASSAP programme,  join Cathal and Deirdre on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss the new €50 million Water EIP. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Kilkenny farmers John Fennelly and Kieran Condon join Cathal and Deirdre on the first Environment Edge podcast of the year to chat about the highs and lows of farming in 2023.For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With the help of the county council, Wexford farmers are working hard to improve water quality in their local seaside village of Duncannon and things are looking good. Eoin Kinsella, agricultural scientist with Wexford County Council and project manager with the Duncannon European Innovation Partnership, joins us for a chat. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With big challenges ahead, what does the first soil health law mean for Irish farmers?  Also, listen in to hear the latest research on multi species swards and its soil benefits in relation to the mighty nematode, soil functions and carbon cycling.  Dr Fiona Brennan, Teagasc senior research officer in soil microbiology joins us to chat all things soil health. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

From famine torn countries to the idyllic countryside of west Cork, Dr Steve Collins of Derry Duff farm joins us to chat about his journey in nutrition and farming super berries with major health benefits on marginal land in the hills of West Cork.  Listen in to hear about the huge health benefits and the alternative enterprise opportunities for farmers on marginal land in Ireland. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Kate Curran, a dairy farmer from county Waterford, and Sandra Hayes, the Teagasc-Tirlán Future Farm Programme Co-ordinator, joins us to discuss the rise of all women discussion groups where everyone feels welcomed, valued & able to contribute. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With Halloween upon us, on the latest Environment Edge podcast, we investigate the interesting life of bats and why they are so important to Irish farmers. Dr Tina Aughney, working with Bat Conservation Ireland and an Ecologist that specialises in bat survey work, joins us to dispel the myths surrounding bats. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With pressure mounting on Irish farmers to meet the challenge of reaching our 2030 greenhouse gas targets, what measures can farmers take to meet this challenge head on? Dr Tom O'Dwyer, Head of the Teagasc Signpost Programme, joins Deirdre and Cathal on the Environment Edge podcast with an update on the progress to date, the role of Signpost demonstration farms and the pathway to 2030. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Ciara Beausang, PhD, Anaerobic Digestion Research Officer, Teagasc, joins us to discuss the Anaerobic Digestion Plant (AD) in Teagasc Grange where organic waste and residues are converted into biogas by a group of microorganisms in an anaerobic environment. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With TB on the rise nationally, have we taken our eye off the ball in stopping the spread of this devastating infectious disease?  Veterinary Inspector and regional manager in Kilkenny and Waterford Regional Veterinary Office, Ann Quinn, explains how to manage farms to reduce the risk and spread of infection – and how to be proactive and not reactive. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Teagasc's Professor Gary Lanigan joins Cathal and Deirdre to discuss the third iteration of the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC). For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Aoife Leader, Walsh Scholar working with Teagasc while completing her PhD in Agriculture Innovation Support in University College Dublin, joins Cathal and Deirdre to discuss her research into communicating farmland biodiversity to intensive dairy discussion groups. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With the recent launch of the updated Teagasc MACC, we know it is possible for farmers to meet climate action targets by 2030, however mass adoption of new technologies and practices must be implemented on farm.  Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer, Stan Lalor, Kilkenny Signpost farmer Peter O'Hanrahan, and Signpost advisors for the Waterford/Kilkenny region, Seamus Kearney and Patrick Dunphy, join Cathal and Deirdre to discuss the Teagasc Signpost Advisory Programme. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

John Carrig, the founder of the Barn Owl Project, which was set up in 2019, joins Cathal and Deirdre for the second part of his discussion with Cathal and Deirdre about barn owls in Ireland. In this episode, John highlights the threats to the barn owl and what farmers can do to help encourage their conservation. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Listen in for a great insight into Ireland's relationship with the barn owl and their important role on farms.  John Carrig, the founder of the Barn Owl Project, which was set up in 2019, joins Cathal and Deirdre for a bit on an owl chat for the first part of this two part episode. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

When do you reduce chemical fertiliser in a grass clover sward? Dr Deirdre Hennessy, lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture in University College Cork, joins Cathal and Deirdre to discuss. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

In the quest for more sustainable beef production, four students from the Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan, Westmeath have developed a five-point sustainable farm plan in combination with rearing Angus animals. Trása & Sinéad Bracken, Chloe McDermott and Mary Colton join us to discuss their project which has made it all the way to the final of the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

With the new measures introduced to the 5th Nitrates Action Programme this year, do farmers feel the actions will benefit their farm and water quality? Teagasc Walsh Programme Masters student Diarmuid Mulkerrins working with dairy farms involved in the Agricultural Catchments Programme chats to us about farmers' opinions as to how effective they feel the regulations really are.  For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/