The Environment Edge: Recent Episodes
Teagasc.ie
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 Lawlor, 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/
Jenny Deakin, Manager of the Catchment Science and Management Unit in the EPA joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss the good and the bad findings of the Water Quality in Ireland Report 2016-2021.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Derogation farming – are you aware of the current situation in Ireland? And what does the future holds for farmers with higher stocking rate?
Teagasc Environmental Specialist, Tim Hyde, joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss just that.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With Signpost Sustainability Week 2022 in full swing, the latest Environment Edge podcast hears how Signpost farmer Trevor Boland and his Future Beef programme advisor, Gabriel Trayers, are working together, connecting profit and the environment.
They discuss with Deidre and Cathal the steps Trevor is taking to reduce his gaseous emissions improve sustainability on the farm whilst improving profits.
Podcast Survey
In order to understand the aspects of podcasts which are most appealing and beneficial to you the listener, it would be appreciated if you could take 3-4 minutes to complete the following survey to give your feedback:
https://forms.office.com/r/mDZTE9zPy4
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With ever increasing pressure on dairy farmers to meet the challenges of sustainability and with greenhouse gas emissions currently to the fore, what work is being carried out to support dairy production systems?
Lorraine Balaine, postdoctoral researcher working on a European project called MilKey, joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss just that.
Podcast Survey
In order to understand the aspects of podcasts which are most appealing and beneficial to you the listener, it would be appreciated if you could take 3-4 minutes to complete the following survey to give your feedback:
https://forms.office.com/r/mDZTE9zPy4
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With major changes to Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme, in relation to soil sampling and the introduction of a fertiliser register for farmers, coming into effect on January 1st 2023, Teagasc Crop and Nutrient Management Specialist, Mark Plunkett, joins Deirdre and Cathal to discuss how farmers can be ready for the change.
Podcast Survey
In order to understand the aspects of podcasts which are most appealing and beneficial to you the listener, it would be appreciated if you could take 3-4 minutes to complete the following survey to give your feedback:
https://forms.office.com/r/mDZTE9zPy4
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Did you know that some earthworms inherit lifelong built channels from their parents? Listen in to hear more about this in part two of Deirdre and Cathal’s chat with earthworm specialist, Professor Olaf Schmidt, from University College Dublin, and discover whether slurry application is actually a friend or foe of the earthworm.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
The farmer and the earthworm have a long standing relationship but now more than ever before we are discovering the huge contribution this army of small creatures make to our land.
But are we doing enough to return the favour? Earthworm specialist Professor Olaf Schmidt from University College Dublin, School of Agriculture and Food Science joins Deirdre and Cathal to discuss just that.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Pollinators provide a vital ecosystem service to the agricultural industry but are we doing enough to help our pollinators and the wider biodiversity on farms across the country?
Ruth Wilson, Farmland Pollinator Officer with the National Biodiversity Data Centre working on the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss what we can do on the farm and other initiatives going on to help our pollinators.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With great attendance at the recent Teagasc run event, Beef 2022, farmers from across the country visited to hear and see the latest information and technology in beef farming.
On the latest Environment Edge podcast, listen in to hear from advisors, researchers and farmers who spoke with Deirdre and Cathal in the Signpost Village, discussing topics such as soil health, biodiversity, hedgerows, water quality and what interested farmers on the day.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With over 100 demonstration farms across the country comprising of many different farming enterprises, leading the way in implementing practices to solve our social, economic and environmental challenges, Siobhan Kavanagh, Teagasc Communications Specialist with the Signpost Programme joins Cathal and Deirdre on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss how it’s going and also tells them what farmers can look forward to seeing in the Signpost village at Beef 2022.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With ever increasing pressure on beef farmers, how can we produce a quality product as efficiently as possible to make beef farming more profitable while also making it more environmentally and socially sustainable?
Programme manager of the Future Beef programme, Martina Harrington from Teagasc joins Deirdre and Cathal to discuss just that.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
ASSAP advisors work with farmers to improve water quality in priority areas for action across the country but who supports the advisors in regards to information on water quality in local areas?
Catchment scientist with the Local Authority Waters Programme, Dr Philip Murphy joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss his role supporting ASSAP and how his work can help towards solving our water quality issues.
Philip also gives Deirdre and Cathal a few tips on how to visually assess your own river.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the environment in Ireland which is done through providing environmental data, assessments and evidence to inform decisions and policy.
Catchment scientist, Eva Mockler joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast to chat about water quality and the tools the EPA Catchment Science & Management Unit are developing to help us make improvements.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With a third of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions coming from agriculture and methane being one of the biggest challenges, what is the Teagasc led project Sea Solutions doing to solve the problem?
Dr Maria Hayes, Teagasc Senior researcher in Ashtown’s food research centre and co-ordinator of the Sea Solutions project joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast to explain more.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With weather starting to pick up, getting clover into our grassland swards is a priority for many farmers.
Mike Egan, Teagasc grassland research officer in Moorepark joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast to tell them ‘how and why now is the time for clover’.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
On the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast, it’s the second part of the interview with Bryan Daniels who is the former Sustainable Farming Grassland Farmer of the Year and is producing up to 17 tonnes of grass dry matter per hectare.
Bryan joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn to discuss sustainability actions he is putting in place on the farm, the challenges and opportunities for farmers in the future and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Former Overall and Sustainable Farming Grassland Farmer of the Year, Bryan Daniels, who is producing up to 17 tonnes of grass dry matter per hectare, joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss how this can be achieved and the sustainability plan on his farm to meet environmental targets.
Listen in to hear what Bryan means about the importance of the invisible cow along with much more excellent advice.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Minister Hackett recently announced the Organic Farming Scheme is now open for new applicants until the 8th April 2022, and a number of changes have been made to the scheme to encourage farmers to join.
Joe Kelleher, Teagasc Organic Farming specialist joins Deirdre Glynn & Cathal Somers on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With a huge focus on gathering vital data over the last decade, six catchments and over 300 farmers participating in the programme with the aim of improving water quality, Eddy Burgess, Agricultural Catchments Specialist with the Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme joins Cathal and Deirdre on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss nitrogen loss from agriculture and the programme’s Working Together for Water Quality week.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
A natural solution to a major problem - how can nematodes help towards meeting European commission targets of a 50% reduction in the use of pesticides in the next decade?
Winner of the Teagasc award at the BT Young Scientist competition 2022, Johannah Pigott and her teacher Joanne Corkery from Coláiste Treasa, Kanturk, Co. Cork, join Deirdre and Cathal on the latest episode of the Environment Edge to discuss just that.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Sometimes in sustainability we forget the most important part: the person. With winter still hanging on, people trying to cope with Covid and pressure on the farm mounting, many farmers can feel a bit down this time of year.
Dr John McNamara, Teagasc H&S specialist chats to Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers on the latest episode of the Environment Edge about Teagasc’s role in promoting farmer mental health and wellbeing, what to look out for and how we all can help.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With fertiliser prices having gone through the roof, how can we become more efficient in 2022 in order to maintain grass production?
Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Crop & Nutrient Management Specialist, joins Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss the options.
You’ll also hear about a great project carried out by Teagasc and forty local farmers in the Kilkenny/Waterford advisory region where slurry was analysed in Spring 2021 and you’ll be surprised to hear how much a tanker of slurry is worth now.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With the Christmas season very much in the swing now and lots of houses displaying wonderfully lit up trees and decorations, sometimes we take for granted how much we rely on our electricity supply or how its produced.
Teagasc Energy and Rural Development Specialist, Barry Caslin, joins Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss the possibility of energy shortages in the future, price hikes and what the agricultural industry can do to help solve the problem.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
We are being asked to significantly reduce carbon emissions over the next few years, but to do this farmers need to know their baseline emissions.
Did you know this information is available to many farmers based on their own farm but where can you find it and what does it mean?
Siobhan Kavanagh, Teagasc Communications Specialist with the Signpost Farm programme and Mick Houlihan, Agri Sustainability Manager with Bord Bia, join Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss our carbon footprint and how we can reduce farm emissions.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With global temperatures on the rise, this week’s Environment Edge podcast asks how will this affect exotic and endemic disease in Ireland?
Superintending Veterinary Inspectors Caroline Garvan & Damien Barrett join Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn to chat about antimicrobial resistance, animal health and the upcoming Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine’s Animal Health Awareness week running from the 18 – 24th November.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
On the latest episode of The Environment Edge podcast, Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity joins Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers to discuss the challenges ahead for farming and how we can meet them head on.
Pippa discusses what has been made available in the budget, organic farming, forestry, rewetting the bogs and the important role of results-based payments in Ireland.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With Halloween fast approaching, one of Ireland’s most recognisable voices Éanna Ní Lamhna joins Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss all things bats.
Éanna confirms whether Bram Stoker was correct in his assumptions about bats and vampires.
They also discuss why bats are so interesting, their role in ecology, how farmers can improve habitats and what you should do if you find one in your house.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
The latest Environment Edge podcast went to the Moorpark open day recently where Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn spoke to farmers, researchers, students and advisors in the Signpost programme village.
Hear from Tom O’Dwyer, Head of the Teagasc Signpost programme as well as topics such as how carbon and methane is measured, how clover can change the game, the MACC curve and research in Johnstown Castle.
Most interesting of all, hear from Waterford farmer John Leamy and his son Darragh who tells us about an interesting sustainability project he carried out in school.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With Ireland trailing behind many of our European counterparts with regards to organic farming at only 2%, what targets have been set in the European Union Farm-to-Fork strategy? And how can we catch up?
On this episode of the Environment Edge podcast, Elaine Leavy, Teagasc Organic specialist, joins Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers to discuss the opportunities available in organic farming and the steps to conversion.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Did you know that there are more organisms in a single teaspoon of soil than there are people on earth?
On the latest episode of The Environment Edge podcast, Dr Fiona Brennan Soil & Environmental Microbiology researcher with Teagasc based in Johnstown Castle tells us all about soil health.
A quarter of all life can be found in soil, so what actually lives in the soil beneath our feet and have we forgotten how important soil functions are in agriculture in relation to production, water quality, gaseous emissions and biodiversity?
How healthy are our soils, are we hindering or helping our soil health and what should we be doing to get the most from our soil in a sustainable manner?
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
On the latest episode of The Environment Edge podcast, forestry inspector in the environment section of the Department of Agriculture, Ken Bucke, joins Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers to discuss why farmers should consider planting more trees and what schemes are available.
With lots of benefits to planting new woodland, have we made mistakes in the past and how is this being addressed? And with timber prices on the rise this year, has the felling licence issue been resolved? Ken explains in more detail.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
On the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast, Fine Gael TD for Carlow/Kilkenny John Paul Phelan joins Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers to discuss the new Carbon removal amendment to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development bill which was signed into law by Michael D Higgins on July 23rd and now makes Ireland’s green targets legally binding.
Is Ireland ready for carbon trading? Where does the EU stand on carbon leakage? And who will foot the bill if Ireland does not meet its targets?
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition specialist Mark Plunkett joins Deirdre Glynn and Cathal Somers on the latest episode of the Environment Edge to talk about cover crops.
Mark explains the benefits of using cover crops as a management tool in a tillage system in order to improve soil functions and reduce nutrient losses from the farm.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Kerry man Tommy Heffernan, also known as Tommy the Vet, is a veterinary consultant based in Wicklow and he joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast to talk about water quality, the sometimes forgotten nutrient.
When it comes to water quality we often talk about the effect poor water quality has on our environment, however as farmers we rely hugely on plenty of clean water to look after our animals.
Tommy discusses the importance of clean water for animal performance, issues he has come across in relation to water quality and how to know if your animals have an issue.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
There are exciting times ahead for farming and technology with artificial intelligence, alternative fuel sources and autonomous machinery all on the horizon.
On the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast, Gary Abbott machinery correspondent with the Irish Farmers Journal joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn to talk about agricultural technology of the future and what we can look forward to.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Kevin O’Hanlon farm manager on a busy dairy farm in county Wexford joins to Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast to discuss his experience with multi species swards.
Dr Thomas Moloney product and technical manager with DLF Ireland is also on the show and he explains the many benefits that come with multi species swards, with reduction in the use of chemical nitrogen among the highest impact.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With the silage season upon us, on the latest episode of the Environment Edge, Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn chat to Teagasc dairy advisor in Kilkenny Pat Moylan about the cold dry spring and tips on how to harvest quality silage.
With up to 30 litres of effluent lost per day from a tonne of fresh cut grass, Pat outlines the steps we need to take on the farm to ensure effluent is contained.
Listen in to hear how the Teagasc Waterford/Kilkenny advisory region are working with farmers on a project to improve slurry use efficiency and reduce the use of chemical nitrogen on the farm.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Kieran Kenny, Teagasc ASSAP advisor and member of the National Pesticide & Drinking Water Action Group joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast.
Kieran discusses the importance of good practice when using pesticides and alternative methods for weed control.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Niall Hatch from Bird Watch Ireland joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast to talk about farmland birds and the important role of farmers in helping to improve habitats.
Eagles are back, the Barn Owl’s busy role on a farm and have you heard the Cuckoo lately? Listen in for all this and more.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Keith Lambkin, senior climatologist with Met Eireann joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast to discuss global warming.
Keith explains how global warming occurs, the effect it will have on agriculture and even the possibility of Ireland getting into the wine business in the future!
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
In this bonus episode of the Environment Edge podcast, Jenny Deakin EPA catchment unit manager joins Teagasc’s Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn to discuss the past, present & future of water quality in Ireland and how climate change will challenge us all.
In the second half, Teagasc’s Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer, Pat Murphy, explains why he believes farmers are up to the challenge of improving water quality through research, advisory, education, collaboration and improved efficiency on the farm.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Dr Catherine Kenna, Teagasc countryside management specialist, joins Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn on the latest episode of the Environment Edge podcast.
Catherine discusses the importance of hedgerows as corridors for wildlife and reminds us that we still have some time to plant bare-root hedges in the next few weeks.
Plus she has some good tips on exactly how to do it and what to sow.
For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
On this first episode of the Environment Edge, Teagasc's sustainability advisors Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn, discuss nitrogen use efficiency with Dr David Wall.
David is a Teagasc researcher in Johnstown castle and he explains the practical steps a farmer can take to improve efficiency on the farm in Spring.
For episodes and information from the Environment Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/