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Getting Winter Ready: Is Your Farmyard Inspection Ready?

November 11, 2026 · 21 min

Show notes

In the final episode of the Getting Winter Ready series on the Beef Edge, Catherine Egan is joined by Jimmy Lyons, Teagasc Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) Advisor based in Teagasc Listowel, to discuss water quality, farmyard management and preparing for Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) inspections.

With environmental regulations and water quality inspections becoming increasingly important, Jimmy explores the most common issues identified during farm inspections and what beef farmers can do to ensure their farms are compliant.


Jimmy discusses the main pollution risks around the farmyard, how contaminated water can reach local streams and rivers, and why even small amounts of agricultural pollution can have an impact on water quality.

Jimmy focuses on the importance of managing dirty water correctly, highlighting practical ways to reduce the volume of dirty water collected around the yard. With cattle housed for the winter, slurry storage is another key consideration. Jimmy outlines how farmers can assess their storage capacity, reduce rainwater entering slurry tanks and understand the rules around slurry spreading dates and suitable ground conditions.

Finally, Jimmy explains the support available to farmers through the Teagasc ASSAP programme and how they can access advice to identify risks and make improvements.

Further details available at:

ASSAP
https://teagasc.ie/environment/water-quality/farming-for-water-quality-assap/assap-in-detail/

Fact sheet

https://teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/a-practical-guide-on-preventing-farmyard-pollution-new-factsheet-available/

Find your local ASSAP advisor

https://teagasc.ie/environment/water-quality/farming-for-water-quality-assap/people/



For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge


Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com


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