Cornelius (aka Con) Traas
@theapplefarmer
Fruit Grower. University Lecturer. Horticultural Scientist. Drinks Manufacturer (juices, cider, spirits). Sustainable Food Production Systems. Statistics hobbyist.
In a field in rural Tipperary, a few lines of forage maize for animal feed (Zea mays) have been replaced by rows of sweetcorn for human consumption. The sweetcorn is flowering earlier, and it looks potentially like a great crop.
My favourite time of year is nearly here. Given the situation, that we get a crop of these about every 3 years on average, I can count down my lifespan (even if I live well above the average), in less than ten more harvests. Less than ten more times to enjoy these exceptional fruits.
Top predator (in this area) a Buzzard (and his/her friend - not pictured) soaring above the farm today on the thermals. Look like they're not hunting. Just enjoying the gliding.
So it seems if a planning inspector uses LLM's ("ai") in writing a report, that the high court will consider that grounds to overturn the inspectors report. Aughinish Alumina waste dump. www.rte.ie/news/busines...
We don't grow strawberries at ground level in Ireland anymore. They're elevated, so no bending of backs.
The except refers to the little green apples on the ground under the trees. These are apples that began growing for a brief period, and then fell off during the "June drop". Apple trees often drop apples containing few or no seeds, as the purpose of growing the apple is seed production.
It's a lovely day in our Bramley orchard. After the rain yesterday everything is growing quickly, including the buttercup and other vegetation in the tree rows. Except...
A lovely sky was the backdrop to the amazing show of buttercup im our orchard yesterday. Teeming with insect activity.
The wildflower meadow which was an orchard up to two years ago is coming back into flower. It will be back into orchard again before too long, but for now is an additional wildlife refuge on our farm.
No sane regulatory authority would allow this size of a slag heap right beside the Shannon. To see the height and size of it in real life is shocking.
One of the guys pruning in our orchard spotted this lizard. We've quite a lot of wildlife and ecology in the orchatd, but this is a new one for me.
Husseystown is a notable spot. Example entry from 1926 census.
There's many solutions... www.blue-bird.tech/en/products/...
This is the orchard we planted in 2020 during Covid lockdown. On this side of the field is one of the few plantings Worldwide of a most fantastic apple called Norfolk Royal Russet. Available only from our farm shop, in early October 2026. Pop a reminder in your calendar.
Looking at rootstock trials. M200, G41, G214 all being compared with M9. Fascinating differences evident in the 4th year.
The yield potential of V-trellis, at over 100,000kg per hectare, is the highest of all planting systems.
The Galiwa (pictured) has scab resistance and performed really well in their consumer trials last year.
A really big crop in prospect for 2026. Pictured are Morrens Jonagored.
A day out at @teagasc.bsky.social in Carlow for the apple growers morning. Incredible amoumt of information gathered and being shared by Alberto and team from @teagasccrops.bsky.social
The old plum orchard is as much a habitat as a crop. Yet this is a commercial orchard, returning a profit in many years. It supports a multiplicity of species, many of which actually help deliver great quality fruits. Managing this orchard and its balance is a challenge and delight.
