Advertise on podcast: The Tillage Edge

Dr. Louise McNamara, a researcher with Teagasc, is on this week’s Tillage Edge to talk about the threat posed by aphids and, consequently, BYDV this season.    Louise explains that the thresholds, or triggers for action, are similar to previous years, although ongoing research is expected to refine these in the future.   She highlights that crops emerging after mid-April are at greatest risk, while noting that location can also play an important role.    Aphicide resistance is an important consideration, but pyrethroid insecticides are still providing effective control.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Last month Teagasc published sector roadmaps, including the Tillage Roadmap 2030, which sets production and sustainability targets and outlines changes needed to advance the sector.    Achieving these ambitions will be challenging but vital.  In this episode, John Spink, Head of the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme at Teagasc, and Dr Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Research, join us to explain the roadmap’s priorities, practical measures for farmers, and how research, industry and policy must align to deliver that vision.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Nitrogen is arguably the most important input in agriculture, and applying the right amount in the right place is essential to maximising return on investment.     Dr Richie Hackett, a researcher with Teagasc, joins the podcast to discuss how farmers can get the best from their nitrogen inputs.   Richie explains that liquid nitrogen can be just as effective as solid nitrogen sources. Preliminary trial results also indicate that applying melted urea to cereals performs as well as applying urea in its solid form.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

As spring moves into peak planting season, the ideal window for establishing several crops is closing quickly.    Conor Kavanagh, a tillage advisor from Tipperary, and Eoin Lyons, a tillage advisor from Laois, join the podcast to discuss spring planting progress in their respective areas and outline priorities for the coming week.   Eoin notes that good progress has been made across all crops, although a significant proportion of spring barley remains to be sown.    Conor adds that approximately 15–20% of beans are still to be planted, and growers will be prioritising these in the week ahead.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Changes in the yellow rust population last year means that all winter wheat crops are at risk of infection in 2026.     Dr. Stephen Kildea, a researcher with Teagasc, and Conor O’Callaghan, a Teagasc tillage advisor, join the Tillage Edge podcast to discuss the threat that yellow rust poses to wheat crops this season.   Conor says that where yellow rust is allowed to establish, it becomes difficult to control for the remainder of the season, making early intervention the most effective strategy, while Dr. Kildea adds that all winter wheat varieties are now vulnerable, and that fungicide treatment will be required across all crops this year.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

With the recent improvement in weather and a favourable forecast ahead, planting of spring cereals has now begun.    Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, Tillage Specialists with Teagasc, join the podcast to discuss priorities for planting over the coming week and whether increased input costs are likely to influence plans this spring.   Shay says that typical costs for spring cropping have risen by approximately €100/ha, an increase of close to 15%. Meanwhile, Ciaran advises that spring beans should ideally be planted before the end of March to minimise the risk of a delayed harvest.   Both emphasise the importance of patience and waiting for suitable conditions to ensure well-prepared seedbeds before planting.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Rising tensions in the Middle East have once again caused volatility in fertiliser markets, pushing prices higher and creating uncertainty. With these costs increasing, there is renewed focus on ensuring fertiliser applications are closely matched to crop and soil requirements.   On this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Dr Veronica Nyhan, Soils and Plant Nutrition Specialist with Teagasc, discusses current soil fertility trends and how farmers can get the best return from applied fertilisers.   Veronica outlines how higher fertiliser prices are encouraging growers to consider using organic manures as a potentially more affordable nutrient source.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

With the arrival of spring weather, Teagasc tillage specialists Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan join the podcast to discuss the priority agronomy tasks for the coming weeks. Soils remain quite wet on many farms, and both Ciaran and Shay caution against rushing into fieldwork — whether that’s spreading fertiliser or planting spring crops. A little patience now, they advise, could lead to better results later. The closing date for the Tillage Sustainability Support Payment is on Monday March 9th.  All farmers with tillage should apply.  For more information: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/services/tillage-sustainability-support-payment/      For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Sheila Alves, a researcher in Teagasc, Oak Park and Cork-based Teagasc tillage advisor, Michael McCarthy, join this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss what growers need to know about spring beans for the 2026 season.   “With margins remaining competitive compared to other spring crops, beans are expected to be widely grown again this year,” Michael McCarthy explains.    The conversation focuses on key establishment decisions, including field selection, soil conditions, drilling timing, seed rates, and achieving optimal plant populations.  The guests also share practical advice on nutrition and weed control.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Working with the EU funded VALPRO Path project team, Michael Hennessy visits agricultural grain drying and storage specialists McArthur BDC in the UK.   Michael speaks with John McArthur about the company’s work installing large-scale grain storage and drying systems, alongside their plans to process home-grown beans for inclusion in poultry rations. The discussion explores how small-scale trials, along with results from large commercial poultry units, show that beans can successfully compete with soya in feed rations.  John also discusses how improved infrastructure and local processing could create new markets for UK-grown protein crops, reduce reliance on imported soya, and at the same time add value across the arable sector. For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Don Somers, the Wexford tillage farmer who won the 2025 Teagasc–FBD Environmental Sustainability Award, and Siobhán Kavanagh from Teagasc’s Signpost Farm programme, join Michael Hennessy on this week’s Tillage Edge.   Don explains why winning the award was important to him and how it recognises tillage farmers’ sustainability work.   Siobhán outlines the awards categories, judging criteria, supports available to applicants and practical first steps farmers can take now to prepare for the 2026 awards.    The deadline for applications is the end of February and full details and how to apply are at:  https://teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change-air-quality/signpost-programme/sustainability-awards/about-the-awards/#apply     For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

For the second in a series featuring talks from this year’s Teagasc National Tillage Conference, this week on the Tillage Edge we focus on research and the key issues that will shape tillage farming in the years ahead.   This episode highlights new research from Teagasc Oak Park with Jack Perry who provides an update on BYDV transmission in tolerant barley varieties; Sinéad Dermody discusses the suitability of rye varieties for higher-value markets; while Stephen Kildea outlines how chocolate spot in beans has developed fungicide resistance in recent years.   All the slides from the conference are available at: https://teagasc.ie/publications/national-tillage-conference-2026-presentations/   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

We begin a series of talks from this year’s Teagasc National Tillage Conference, focusing on the research and issues that will shape tillage farming in the years ahead.   This episode of the Tillage Edge examines Irish competitiveness, both at home and internationally.    Teagasc economist, Dr Trevor Donnellan, presents a paper prepared by Dr Fiona Thorne, outlining how Irish farmers remain competitive due to high yields, whilst highlighting that national averages can mask large differences between the most and least profitable farms.   Links to all presentations from the 2026 National Tillage Conference are at: https://teagasc.ie/publications/national-tillage-conference-2026-presentations/     For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

One of the highlights of the Irish tillage calendar is the Teagasc National Tillage Conference, a must-attend event to hear about the latest research, innovation and agronomy.    For this week’s Tillage Edge, Dr. Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Science at Teagasc, previews what to expect this year.    To register for the National Tillage conference visit:  https://teagasc.ie/crops/crops/events/#NTC2026     For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

John Mahon, Tillage Signpost Programme Advisor, discusses why proving the low-carbon grain advantage matters, the limits of existing data, and why annual, representative figures from Irish tillage farms are essential to meet buyer requirements and ultimately support increased payments for low-carbon grain.    This episode of the Tillage Edge outlines what farmers need to know and why participation is critical for securing long-term value for Irish grain.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com