The Environment Edge

Navigating the Teagasc Forestry Roadmap: Mobilising Ireland’s Timber Potential

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Houlihan, Acting Head of Forestry Development Department, Teagasc, joins Róisín McManus and Deirdre Glynn to discuss, ‘Navigating the Teagasc ...

From Soil to Savings: Turning Nutrients into Profit

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Advisor Jack Hyland, Scheme Support Teagasc, explains how a simple, tailored Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) can cut your costs, boost your profits, an...

Nitrates Changes Are Coming: What Farmers Need to Do Now

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pat Moylan, Teagasc Dairy Advisor, and Dr. Seamus Kearney, Signpost Climate Advisor, are on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss what the ne...

Bluetongue: Understanding the Threat

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Concerned about the recent spread of bluetongue virus?  Veterinary surgeon, Patrick Duff, cuts through the noise to deliver the essential facts you n...

Protecting poultry and battling bird flu

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rebecca Tierney, a leading poultry advisor with Teagasc, discusses poultry health and the critical challenges of managing bird flu outbreaks.  With ...

Nore Vision, Shared Future: Farmers Taking Action

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maura Brennan of Nore Vision, the Nore River Catchment Trust, joins Deirdre Glynn to explain the work of Nore Vision and the involvement of farmers in...

How ASSAP advisors are supporting farmers to improve water quality

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Roisin McManus, a Teagasc ASSAP advisor based in Tipperary, shares her insights into the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (A...

What’s working harder than any tractor? The microbes in your soil

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Olga Lastovetsky, Assistant professor in UCD’s School of Biology and Environmental Science, joins us to tell us about our fungal and bacterial a...

The GroundTruth Project

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Fiona Brennan, Teagasc senior research officer in soil microbiology, chats to us about ‘The GroundTruth Project' that is connecting communities t...

Celebrating Ireland’s Hedgerows

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as Dr. Catherine Keena explains the difference between topped and treelined hedges, and don’t miss National Hedgerow Week starting August 29...

Why Now is the Time for Sustainable Grass Production

10 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sustainable grass production can play a major role on Irish farms, leading to more profitability but also reducing nitrogen loss from our farms throug...

Could a simple crop rotation be the key to cleaner waterways?

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Teagasc Catchment Coordinator for the Slaney, Neilus Noonan, joins us with an update on the Catch Crop Pilot Measure in the Farming for Water EIP. Fo...

Climate Targets, Technology and Profitability on the Farm

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Deirdre Hennessy, UCC lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture, joins us to discuss the tools and technologies that farmers can use to meet our climate ...

Why Regular Liming Can Drive Profits

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With nearly two-thirds of soil samples falling below the ideal pH range for grass growth, Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Signpost Programme Training & Dev...

The Future of Organic Tillage

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our discussion on organics with Teagasc's Organic Crops Specialist, Martin Bourke, and Wicklow tillage farmer, Tommy Delahunt, we hear abou...

Attractive Returns: Growing Organic Tillage in Ireland

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tommy Delahunt, a tillage farmer in county Wicklow, who is in the Growing Organics programme, and Martin Bourke, Teagasc Organic Crops Specialist, joi...

Protecting drinking water in the drumlins of Monaghan (Part 2)

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

Protecting drinking water in the drumlins of Monaghan (Part 1)

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A novel approach is being taken by the Stranooden Group Water Scheme to protect water in county Monaghan, working with catchment science and farmers t...

Nitrogen Balance & Nutrient Use Efficiency explained

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The schemes and grants available in forestry & agroforestry

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Teagasc Forestry Specialist, Frances McHugh, joins us to chat about the financial supports which encourage people to develop and manage sustainable fo...

The implications for forest owners after Storm Éowyn (next steps)

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 owner...

How to get more bang for your buck when spreading slurry

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 fa...

Detecting Chromosomal Abnormalities in Cattle

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Two young farmers on their hopes for 2025

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 an...

Do the challenges outweigh the positives in farming today and what motivates farmers to keep going?

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know the origin of holly and its many traditions?  Kevin O’Connell, Teagasc forestry development officer, tells us all about the traditions ...

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, Teagas...

Funding for historic farm buildings - what is involved & who can apply?

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Meenan, Traditional Farm Buildings grant scheme programme manager, and Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation with the National Heritage council in Kilk...

Water Quality Challenges and the Outlook for the Future - Part 2

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing the topic of asking if farmers are going in the right direction in relation to improving water quality, Teagasc Agricultural Catchment Spec...

Water Quality Challenges and the Outlook for the Future - Part 1

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are farmers going in the right direction in relation to improving water quality?  Teagasc Agricultural Catchment Specialist, Eddie Burgess, joins us ...

How can farmers reduce their overall labour demand?

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Martina Gormley, chats to us on the latest Environment Edge about hours worked per cow and how farmers can reduce their over...

Planning and preparing ahead on farms for the winter period

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Teagasc dairy advisor, Nigel Kennington, chats to us about planning and preparing ahead on farms for the winter period. For more episodes and informa...

Dr. Daire O'hUallacháin on The Nature Restoration Law

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With 80 % of European habitats in decline, what implications does The Nature Restoration Law have for Ireland? Teagasc Principal Research Officer, Dr...

Do you know what a species rich grassland looks like or if you have one on your farm?

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, Dr Catherine Keena, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discuss natural and semi-natural gra...

The Value of Slurry & Autumn Management

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 late...

Teagasc’s Better Farming for Water - 8 Actions for Change Campaign

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 C...

How can catch crops help to reduce nutrient loss from tillage land?

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Teagasc Tillage advisor in the Kilkenny/Waterford region, Mark Trimble, joins us to discuss catch crops and their benefits. For more episodes and inf...

Where is tomorrow for Small Farms?

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Head of Economics at Teagasc, Trevor Donnellan, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast to chat about the National Farm Survey – Small Farms...

The Role of an Inland Fisheries Ireland Inspector

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 dr...

Why is slurry so dangerous?

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Raining Cats & Dogs

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Using Hormones to Suppress Ash Dieback

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Winners of the BT Young Scientist group project and Teagasc award, Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan students, Abigail and Erica O’Brien Murray and...

How to pass a Department of Agriculture farm inspection & what to expect

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How likely are you to get an inspection, what to expect and what are the top issues found during inspection?  Department of Agriculture District Insp...

Why are we all talking about Nitrogen?

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Moylan, ASSAP, Tirlan advisor, Kilkenny Tirlan, chats to Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast about how to minimise nitro...

The practical ways a farmer can reduce phosphorus and sediment loss from the farm to the river

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 los...

From the Judas goat to grape growing in the capital - Dublin City farming in the 1950s Part 2

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 roa...

Dublin City farming & the big flood in the 1950s – Part 1

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ke...

Tick Tock, Tick Tock - €50 million available to farmers in the new Water EIP

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mairéad Whitty, Local Authorities Water Programme and Project Lead for the Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and Noel Meehan, Teagasc, mana...

The hard questions answered on the highs and lows of farming in 2023

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Wexford Farmers Helping to Take Back the Blue Flag

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

A Grá for Nematodes & the EU’s First Soil Health Law

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The health benefits & enterprise opportunities from farming Aronia berries in West Cork

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 nutritio...

All Women Discussion Groups - where everyone feels welcomed, valued & able to contribute

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Curran, a dairy farmer from county Waterford, and Sandra Hayes, the Teagasc-Tirlán Future Farm Programme Co-ordinator, joins us to discuss the r...

Creatures of the Night – the truth about bats in Ireland

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 far...

The Signpost Programme & how climate conscious farmers are driving sustainable growth

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

‘Grass for Gas’- Are Anaerobic Digesters and Energy Farming a possibility for the Future?

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ciara Beausang, PhD, Anaerobic Digestion Research Officer, Teagasc, joins us to discuss the Anaerobic Digestion Plant (AD) in Teagasc Grange where org...

TB hasn’t gone away, it’s on the rise again

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With TB on the rise nationally, have we taken our eye off the ball in stopping the spread of this devastating infectious disease?  Veterinary Inspec...

The MACC is back - what savings can be made on farms while meeting our climate targets?

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Teagasc’s Professor Gary Lanigan joins Cathal and Deirdre to discuss the third iteration of the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC). For m...

Communicating Farmland Biodiversity to Intensive Dairy Discussion Groups

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aoife Leader, Walsh Scholar working with Teagasc while completing her PhD in Agriculture Innovation Support in University College Dublin, joins Cathal...

Know My Number – Make a Plan (The Signpost Advisory Programme)

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

Threats to the Barn Owl - what actions can we take to encourage their conservation?

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The screech of the Banshee? No, it’s the mysterious barn owl

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ba...

When do you reduce chemical fertiliser in a grass clover sward?

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When do you reduce chemical fertiliser in a grass clover sward? Dr Deirdre Hennessy, lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture in University College Cork, ...

Angus calf five-point sustainable production plan - from Croke Park to the Ploughing

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the quest for more sustainable beef production, four students from the Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan, Westmeath have developed a five-point sust...

What farmers really think about the latest Nitrates Action Programme

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Reducing the impact of pesticides on water quality

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How well are we doing in Ireland in regards to reducing the impact of pesticides on water quality? The grass and crop season is starting to ramp up n...

Ireland’s most dangerous occupation – farmer James Murphy’s tale of a fatal bull attack

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As of January 5th this year, twelve fatal farm workplace accidents were reported by the Health and Safety Authority in Ireland. Unfortunately this ac...

What will the cow of the future look like?

19 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With calving season well under way, it’s now time to turn our attention to breeding.Teagasc advisor, John McCabe, working on the Aurivo Joint Progra...

The Teagasc Climate Action Strategy – supporting farmers to meet challenging climate targets

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a recent EPA report it was suggested that Ireland needs a major change in our land use in order to reach our 2050 net zero climate targets, with a ...

How Irish farmers can be part of the solution to climate change

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Since the start of the industrial revolution in the mid 1800s, temperature has increased globally by 1.2 degrees Celsius. However what’s even more ...

The one action that saves money and reduces emissions - without extra effort

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the one action a farmer can start doing this year without any additional effort that will contribute towards reducing gaseous emissions but al...

Getting the most out of your slurry

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are starting to see slurry tankers out on the land over the last few days as the slurry spreading closed season ends in parts of the country - but ...

Ammonia emissions and are slurry additives really the answer?

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With a lot of discussion around ammonia emissions lately and plenty of slurry in tanks, the use of slurry additives often comes up in conversation, bu...

How drone technology can be used for water sampling

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With drones high on the list for Christmas gifts this year for both the young and old, what practical things are people using them for? One innovativ...

The Ash dieback situation and information on forestry’s €1.3bn investment

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We have heard warnings for a number of years now about the impact of Ash Dieback in Ireland but what’s the current situation? Teagasc’s forestry ...

The Good & the Bad from the latest Water Quality in Ireland Report

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny Deakin, Manager of the Catchment Science and Management Unit in the EPA joins Deirdre and Cathal on the latest Environment Edge podcast to discu...

Derogation Farming – what does the future hold for farmers?

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Derogation farming – are you aware of the current situation in Ireland?  And what does the future holds for farmers with higher stocking rate?  T...

Connecting profit to the environment with Signpost farmer, Trevor Boland

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With Signpost Sustainability Week 2022 in full swing, the latest Environment Edge podcast hears how Signpost farmer Trevor Boland and his Future Beef ...

Helping dairy farmers meet the challenges of sustainability

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With ever increasing pressure on dairy farmers to meet the challenges of sustainability and with greenhouse gas emissions currently to the fore, what ...

How farmers can be ready for the changes to Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With major changes to Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme, in relation to soil sampling and the introduction of a fertiliser register for farmers, c...

The Earthworm & the Farmer Part 2: is slurry application a friend or foe?

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 Cat...

The Earthworm & the Farmer Part 1: the huge contribution the worm makes to the soil

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 sma...

How to help pollinators and the wider biodiversity on farm

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pollinators provide a vital ecosystem service to the agricultural industry but are we doing enough to help our pollinators and the wider biodiversity ...

Highlights from Beef2022

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

An Update from the Signpost Programme Demonstration Farms

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With over 100 demonstration farms across the country comprising of many different farming enterprises, leading the way in implementing practices to so...

Making the Future of Beef Profitable & Sustainable

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With ever increasing pressure on beef farmers, how can we produce a quality product as efficiently as possible to make beef farming more profitable wh...

The catchment scientist’s role with the Local Authority Waters Programme

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Water quality, the EPA and the tools to make improvements

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the environment in Ireland which is done through providing environment...

How Sea Solutions is helping to solve the problem of methane

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Why now is the time for clover

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With weather starting to pick up, getting clover into our grassland swards is a priority for many farmers. Mike Egan, Teagasc grassland research o...

Bryan Daniels on the challenges and opportunities for farmers in the future

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 Farmin...

Meet the dairy farmer embracing and still profiting from the challenges of sustainability

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

The Organic Farming Scheme

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

Nitrogen loss from agriculture

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 imp...

How nematodes can help reduce pesticide use

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Mental health on farm - the most important part of sustainability

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes in sustainability we forget the most important part: the person. With winter still hanging on, people trying to cope with Covid and pressure...

Fertiliser options in 2022

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With fertiliser prices having gone through the roof, how can we become more efficient in 2022 in order to maintain grass production? Mark Plunkett...

The Future for Ireland’s Energy Supply

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 gra...

Do you know the carbon footprint of your farm?

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

The dangers of antimicrobial resistance in animal health

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With global temperatures on the rise, this week’s Environment Edge podcast asks how will this affect exotic and endemic disease in Ireland? Super...