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The Environment Edge

111 Episodes
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Dr. Olga Lastovetsky, Assistant professor in UCD’s School of Biology and Environmental Science, joins us to tell us about our fungal and bacterial allies, and how these relationships boost crop production. Olga explains how the microbes in our soil are the tiny allies that feed crops, fight disease, and keep farms resilient. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Dr Fiona Brennan, Teagasc senior research officer in soil microbiology, chats to us about ‘The GroundTruth Project' that is connecting communities to soil science, unearthing data and helping to get a deeper understanding of the soil beneath us. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Join us as Dr. Catherine Keena explains the difference between topped and treelined hedges, and don’t miss National Hedgerow Week starting August 29th to celebrate their vital role in our environment. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Sustainable grass production can play a major role on Irish farms, leading to more profitability but also reducing nitrogen loss from our farms through the use of clover and utilising available data, to make quick decisions. Dr. Deirdre Hennessy, UCC lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture, joins us for a chat. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Dr Deirdre Hennessy, UCC lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture, joins us to discuss the tools and technologies that farmers can use to meet our climate targets and the importance of encouraging farmers and the next generation. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
With nearly two-thirds of soil samples falling below the ideal pH range for grass growth, Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Signpost Programme Training & Development Specialist, joins us to talk about the benefits of liming our acidic soils. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Continuing our discussion on organics with Teagasc's Organic Crops Specialist, Martin Bourke, and Wicklow tillage farmer, Tommy Delahunt, we hear about some of the obstacles Tommy has had to overcome, while Martin explains why the real legacy of organic farming will be in the years to come. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Tommy Delahunt, a tillage farmer in county Wicklow, who is in the Growing Organics programme, and Martin Bourke, Teagasc Organic Crops Specialist, join us to chat about Tommy’s journey from conventional tillage to organic and how he has adapted his farming practices. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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 protecting water in county Monaghan through a suite of mitigation measures on farms, ranging from nature based solutions to rush control techniques. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
A novel approach is being taken by the Stranooden Group Water Scheme to protect water in county Monaghan, working with catchment science and farmers to improve drinking water. James McGlone, manager of the Stranooden Group Water Scheme, and Teagasc ASSAP advisor, Domhnall Kennedy, joins us for a chat. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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 light on the difference between nitrogen balance and nutrient use efficiency, its importance to farm economics and the environment. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Teagasc Forestry Specialist, Frances McHugh, joins us to chat about the financial supports which encourage people to develop and manage sustainable forests - and you don't have to be a farmer to apply. To find out more go to:https://capnetworkireland.eu/schemes-and-grants-in-forestry-agroforestry/ For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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 owners go from here and what support and advice is available? For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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 farms. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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, genetics and genomics postdoc researcher in Teagasc Moorepark, joins us to discuss new improved methods in identifying these issues. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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 and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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 Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
Do you know the origin of holly and its many traditions? Kevin O’Connell, Teagasc forestry development officer, tells us all about the traditions and myths around the holly tree, from Roman times to pagans and druids. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/
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, Teagasc forestry development officer, joins us on the latest Environment Edge podcast for a festive chat about the origin of the Christmas tree and its management. For more episodes and information from the Environment Edge, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/environmentedge/