Nitrates were a hot topic at the Teagasc crops open day.
Tillage farmers were delighted to be back among the crops in Oak Park for the open day last week. But I’m told one of the stations caused some upset – a display board with dairy cows on it.
The board in question compared nitrate levels in waters in two catchments – Castledockrell (66% tillage) and Timoleague (85% dairy), both of which are on light but very different soil types.
The Castledockrell catchment had higher average nitrate levels.
The complaints centred around the fact that two sectors were being compared in a way as to pit them against one another.
March 1, 2021 12:18 pm
Teagasc research is confirming that autumn-grown catch crops are helping to reduce nutrient run-off from soils in tillage areas.
A catch crop is a fast-growing crop that is grown between successive plantings of a main crop.
According to Teagasc advisor Matt Boland, the Agricultural Catchments Programme was set up in 2008 to monitor and evaluate Ireland’s requirements under the EU Nitrates and Water Framework Directives.
“There was also a remit established to provide measurements regarding the efficacy of Ireland’s nitrates derogation,” Boland said.
“We are currently in the fourth phase of the programme. Each phase is four years long.
Regarded as perhaps one of the most formative and vital periods in Irish History, we are currently in the midst of marking the centenary of the events of the War of Independence (1919 - 1921). Local archaeologist Barry Lacey from Ferns has been looking at some of the key events in Co Wexford, in particular ambushes, raids, the burning of police barracks and other activities.
On this occasion he looks at the grim discovery of the bullet-riddled body of a Wexford man, bearing the chilling message Spies and Informers Beware .
On Wednesday morning September 22, 1920, men cutting corn just across the Wexford-Carlow border on the lands of a Mr James Joyce made a grim discovery. Face down, covered by a few sheeves of corn they found the body of a man. Bullet wounds were apparent and a rosary beads hung around the victim s neck. Perhaps most notable though, was a placard bearing the words Spies and Informers Beware .