The Research Field

Drones and observational satellites are helping farmers to make better farm decisions such as when to cut silage, or when soil conditions are right for planting crops. 

This episode features, Stuart Green, a remote sensing scientist based at Teagasc, Ashtown. Stuart is harnessing earth observational data to help farmers plan more efficiently, which in the current crisis, is more important than ever.

The first of two special episodes from the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin in January 2020. 

The cost and environmental gains farmers can achieve from growing clover are described by Deirdre Hennessy. 

Research into the welfare of pigs across the Irish pig industry is detailed by Laura Boyle. 

Sinead McCarthy outlines the complexities and subtle nuances of achieving a sustainable and healthy diet outlining the impact of removing food groups from our habitual diet and explains that food substitutions to improve environmental credentials may not always result in a healthy diet. 

Karen Daly describes how Irish soil science was born in medieval Johnstown Castle with funds from the US Marshall Plan.

Daire O hUallacháin illuminates the extent of the decline in Irish biodiversity from abandoned Aran Islands farms to the mainland dairy farms.

Irish river systems are under pressure from excess nutrients and climate impacts. Per Erik Mellander describes some of the findings from monitoring of diverse Irish river systems over 10 years.

Find out about the upcoming plans for Teagasc’s ‘Festival of Farming and Food’ this Science Week. Diarmuid Sheehan, Kieran Jordan, Kieran Meade and Rob O’Hara feature in news.

Anne Kinsella, based at Teagasc's Rural Economy and Development Centre discusses the issue of inter-generational farm transfers. 

Donagh Berry, Director of the VistaMilk Research Centre, talks about producing milk by design - using science - for a range of consumers. 

Orla O'Sullivan, based at the Teagasc Food Research Centre, discusses the new foods being developed that promote gut health and combat disease and illness.

Luiza Wasiewska describes research towards a new, reliable, fast, easy-to-use biosensor to detect pathogenic E. coli.

The One Health strategy, which brings together human and animal health researchers to improve food safety is described by Geraldine Duffy. 

Michael Gaffney describes how the research glasshouse at Ashtown, county Dublin, is bringing benefits to industry.