Dairy
Grass growth has stagnated across the country, and with the forecast showing further dry weather, farmers will feel the pressure mounting.
Grazing
As another heatwave sweeps across the country, farmers will have to take rising grass dry matter into consideration when planning grazing.
Considering the price of fertiliser this year, farmers must be conscious of application rates as grass growth slows.
Soil moisture is already hitting deficits of 70mm, meaning farmers will be beginning to feel the sting of yet another drought.
Grass
Drier parts of the country, particularly in the south-east may experience grass deficits this week with minimal rainfall is forecasted.
Average grass growth has been stunted over the last week with the heat wave, but with rain on the forecast there is no fear of any droughts.
Tillage
The Department of Agriculture is looking to take on a bacteriologist to work at its Backweston Campus in Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
Soil Fertility
Soil fertility has the potential to severely impact grass growth, and it is doing exactly that on many farms across the country.
What do farmers think of multispecies, a question which was asked at a recent event in University College Dublin's (UCD) Lyons farm.
Grass growth has dropped back to roughly 70kg of dry matter (DM)/ha, which is expected as we approach the longest day of the year.
Reseeds were late getting done this year given the poor spring, however there is a few drier places ready to graze now.
Video
There is a varying level of understanding of and emphasis placed on grazing the correct grass...
There is a varying level of understanding of and emphasis placed on grazing the correct grass covers on farms across Ireland.
Soil compaction is an ever present risk that must be managed, farmers have been advised at the Teagasc open day at Johnstown Castle.
A series of test plots comparing grass growth from different fertiliser types was one of the many...
Beef
A series of test plots comparing grass growth from different fertiliser types was demonstrated at a Teagasc open day.
Lime
As we move further into summer, liming wont be high on many farmers agenda's but with application rates below required levels, farmers are being advised to spread whenever possible.
Grass growth continues to push on, with growth rates pushing over 90kg of dry matter (DM)/ha in parts of the country again this week.
N.Ireland
Agricultural contractors in Northern Ireland are confirming that broadleaf weeds in grassland are becoming a major challenge in 2026.
Silage Effluent
Teagasc is advising farmers that they must collect and safely store all effluent produced to prevent severe water contamination.
There is a lot of slurry and chemical fertiliser to be spread in the coming month, but farmers must not forget about sulphur.
From mid-May onwards, average milk protein has been sitting at 3.53%, a figure we need to maintain throughout the mid-season.
Farmers will now be weighing up what should be spread on silage ground to maintain and improve soil fertility - fertiliser, slurry or lime...
