The Environment Edge

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/