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/