Farming: the bigger picture

Ever wondered what it takes to grow the perfect apple? From crisp texture and sweet flavour to flawless appearance, consumers expect a lot from every bite. But behind the scenes, producing high-quality apples in a place like Ireland is a real challenge. This talk explores the balance between nature, science, and profitability – and how research at Teagasc is helping make it possible.

The hit TV show "The Last of Us", where a fungus creates human zombies, is inspired by real fungi that can control the behaviour of ants. But fungi aren’t alone – research has shown that viruses can also manipulate insect behaviour. In this presentation, discover “zombie aphids” and how they spread viruses through Ireland’s crops, revealing a strange hidden world that impacts agriculture.

Have you ever wondered if plants could get sick like us? This story explores the invisible world of plant viruses—their diversity, the dangers they pose to crops, their unexpected benefits, and how we might harness them to our advantage. Why does plant viral illness matter, and are there even "good viruses" among them? Discover why understanding plant viruses is critical for our crops and the world.