The Environment Edge - podcast cover

The Environment Edge

Teagasc.iewww.teagasc.ie
Presented by Cathal Somers & Deirdre Glynn, with new episodes every two weeks, the Environment Edge is your signpost to farm sustainability.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Why are we all talking about Nitrogen?

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/

Mar 18, 202427 min

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

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/

Mar 04, 202430 min

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

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...

Feb 05, 202428 min

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

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/

Jan 15, 202433 min

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

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/

Jan 01, 202423 min

The Wexford Farmers Helping to Take Back the Blue Flag

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/...

Dec 18, 202330 min

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

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/...

Dec 04, 202328 min

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

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/environm...

Nov 20, 202334 min

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

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/

Nov 06, 202335 min

Creatures of the Night – the truth about bats in Ireland

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/...

Oct 30, 202334 min

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

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/env...

Oct 09, 202333 min

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

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/

Sep 18, 202321 min

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

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/...

Sep 04, 202332 min

Communicating Farmland Biodiversity to Intensive Dairy Discussion Groups

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/

Aug 07, 202321 min

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

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 inf...

Jul 18, 202323 min

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

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/...

Jul 03, 202319 min

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

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/...

Jun 19, 202322 min

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

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/

Jun 05, 202330 min

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

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.teagas...

May 22, 202318 min

What farmers really think about the latest Nitrates Action Programme

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/environment...

May 08, 202325 min

Reducing the impact of pesticides on water quality

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 now as the weather improves and with that comes the use of sprays to control weeds, fungi and pests in order to protect crops. Paul O'Brien, Chair of the IFA Environmental & Rural Affairs Committee joins us to discuss his role with the National Pesticide & Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG). For more episodes and information from the Enviro...

Apr 17, 202326 min

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

As of January 5th this year, twelve fatal farm workplace accidents were reported by the Health and Safety Authority in Ireland. Unfortunately this accounts for 50% of all workplace fatalities in Ireland, making farming Ireland's most dangerous occupation. All farm accidents are tragic and have devastating effects on farming families and on the latest Environment Edge podcast, James Murphy, farming in county Kilkenny, tells his story of a fatal bull attack. For more episodes and information from ...

Apr 03, 202322 min

What will the cow of the future look like?

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 Programme joins us to discuss EBI, carbon emissions, profitability and what the cow of the future will look like. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/

Mar 19, 202325 min

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

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 suggestion of a 30% reduction in the nation herd hitting the headlines. Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc, joins us to discuss the Teagasc Climate Action strategy (2022 – 2030). For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/...

Mar 06, 202333 min

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

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 alarming is that temperature increase has accelerated massively since the 1970s. Dr Tom O’Dwyer, head of the Teagasc Signpost programme, chats on the latest Environment Edge podcast about how we have found ourselves in this situation, Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, but most importantly, how farmers can be part of the solution to a global problem. For ...

Feb 20, 202333 min

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

What is the one action a farmer can start doing this year without any additional effort that will contribute towards reducing gaseous emissions but also save money? Donegal Signpost Programme dairy farmer, Richard Starrett, and his Teagasc advisor, Conor Maguire, join the show to discuss Richard’s experience of using Protected Urea for the last four years. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/...

Feb 06, 202323 min

Getting the most out of your slurry

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 are we getting it right or can we do better? Teagasc dairy advisors, Owen Power, based in Dungarvan, and Pay Moylan, based in Kilkenny, join the show to discuss slurry storage options and how we can get the best from this valuable nutrient. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/e...

Jan 23, 202324 min

Ammonia emissions and are slurry additives really the answer?

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, but are they ticking all the boxes? Dr Dominika Krol, Teagasc Research Officer in the area of agricultural gaseous emissions joins Cathal Somers on the latest Environment Edge podcast to explain in more detail. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/...

Jan 02, 202327 min
Hosted on Transistor
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android