Advertise on podcast: The Tillage Edge

Brendan Burke, Farm Manager of the Teagasc Oak Park research farm in Carlow, joins Michael Hennessy to review the season to date.  They discuss how weather conditions have influenced crop growth and yields on the research farm and how these challenges mirror those experienced by tillage farmers across the country.  Brendan shares insights into the performance of crops this year, key management decisions, and the lessons learned from the season.  The conversation highlights the important role Oak Park plays in testing and validating new technologies, crop management practices, and innovations for Irish tillage farming. Details of the Cover Crop Event in Oak Park is available at: https://teagasc.ie/event/rooted-in-health/    Booking is essential for the Heart Foundation Health Check which is free to farmers on the day. 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 soon as cereal planting is completed, attention turns to protecting crops and laying the foundations for strong weed control.  On this episode of the Tillage Edge podcast, Teagasc Crop Specialists, Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, discuss the critical role of pre-emergence herbicides in managing both grass and broadleaf weeds. Shay highlights that research consistently shows pre-emergence herbicides are the most effective tool for controlling grass weeds.  Ciaran explains that achieving the best results depends on understanding the predominant weed species present in each field and matching them with herbicides that have the most effective weed control profile. 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

Farm succession is one of the most important conversations any farm family will have, yet it is often one of the most difficult to start.  On this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Michael Hennessy is joined by James McDonnell, Teagasc Farm Management Specialist, to discuss the key steps involved in transferring the family farm to the next generation.  James outlines how families can begin the succession planning process, the options available to farmers who are not ready to transfer ownership outright, and the tax reliefs that can help reduce the cost of transfer.  He also highlights the farm succession clinics taking place around the country and explains how families can register to attend.   For more details to register in advance go to: https://teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/succession-inheritance/transferring-the-family-farm/ 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 rely on our soils more than any other resource to deliver crop performance and farm profitability year after year. Just like machinery, soils require regular attention and maintenance to perform at their best. This week on the Tillage Edge podcast, Veronica Nyhan, Soil and Plant Specialist with Teagasc, and Ewen Johnstown, owner of South East Sampling Services, discuss the importance of soil sampling and how to do it correctly.  They explain why taking an accurate soil sample is the foundation of effective nutrient management and how using soil test results to guide fertiliser and lime applications can deliver significant returns over the coming years. 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

Lillian O’Sullivan, a Soil Researcher with Teagasc, joins the Tillage Edge podcast to discuss the new Soil Monitoring Law being introduced across Europe and what it means for tillage farmers. Lillian explains that the legislation will allow individual countries to develop targets that reflect their own soil conditions, with the coming years focused on establishing national baselines and monitoring frameworks.  While there is still significant work to be done, she notes that Irish soils are generally in good health compared to many other parts of Europe. 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

The Teagasc Crops Forum took place last week, bringing together a range of informative presentations focused on the latest developments in tillage production.  We feature two of those talks on this week’s Tillage Edge with Shay Phelan, Tillage Specialist with Teagasc, discussing how growers can adjust crop rotations to improve profitability and resilience. We also hear from Louise McNamara, a Teagasc researcher, who presents recent trial results on controlling Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) in BYDV tolerant barley varieties. Presentation slides from the Teagasc Crops Forum are available at: www.teagasc.ie/publications    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

The Teagasc Crops Forum took place this week featuring a range of informative presentations focused on the latest developments in tillage production.  For this week’s Tillage Edge, we hear from two of those presenters. Cara Mac Aodháin from the Department of Agriculture's Cereal Variety Testing Division discusses the latest additions and changes to the Recommended Lists and what they mean for growers.    Vijaya Bhaskar, Teagasc Crops Specialist, explains why pre-emergence herbicides remain the cornerstone of effective weed control in cereals and outlines key considerations for the season ahead. Presentation slides from the Teagasc Crops Forum are available at: www.teagasc.ie/publications    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

Everyone in the industry is asking how tillage can remain competitive into the future. Poor yields are often blamed on the weather, but other factors such as rotations, soil management, and fertiliser can play a big role. Shay Phelan and Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage specialists, join the show to discuss the upcoming Teagasc National Crops Forum and the practical steps farmers can take to protect margins.  Ciaran highlights that tweaking rotations and using organic manures can make a significant difference, with many growers reporting higher yields where these practices are adopted. 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

The harvest of combinable crops is almost complete and for this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy speaks with Tillage Signpost farmers Tom Tierney (Kildare), Don Somers (Wexford) and Tom Barry (Cork) about their 2026 harvests.  Don was somewhat disappointed by yields but emphasises that a diverse crop rotation helps reduce risk.  Tom Barry reported good yields, which he attributes to high fertility and the use of organic manures.  And Tom Tierney teamed up with his neighbour for harvesting — a collaboration he described as very successful 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

Oilseed rape has been a strong performer on Irish farms thanks to consistent yields, high prices and potential for lower production costs.   Eoin Lyons, Teagasc advisor, Laois, and Ciarán Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist, join the Tillage Edge podcast to discuss rotational slots, varieties, establishment and early management of oilseed rape.   Eoin stresses the importance of avoiding sowing into very dry soils, which can cause uneven emergence and lead to management problems later in the season. 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

Drone technology is becoming more accessible and increasingly useful on tillage farms and on this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy speaks with Daniel O'Reilly of Aerial Ag Ireland about a large agricultural drone used to apply cover‑crop seed into a standing spring barley crop. Daniel explains how the system works, why it’s well suited to in‑crop application, and how a machine that can carry up to 40 kg of seed can speed up application and reduce the need for ground machinery. 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 more than half the harvest completed overall (and some areas more than 80% finished), Teagasc advisors, Michael McCarthy (Cork), Mark Trimble (Kilkenny) and John Brophy (Naas) join the podcast to discuss harvest results in their regions. Yields are mixed — most cereal grain has been disappointing, although oilseed rape performed well across the board. As Michael McCarthy noted, “Once again oilseed rape is the star of the show and I have had a number of enquiries about planting it again for next 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

Reducing the seed burden in the soil is key to lowering weed pressure in subsequent growing crops and for this week’s Tillage Edge, Dr Vijaya Bhaskar, a weed researcher at Teagasc Oak Park, joins the podcast to discuss what farmers can do in the coming weeks to tackle weeds.  He also reviews new research on brome dormancy and the implications for this year’s stubble cultivation. 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 harvest well underway and the continued good weather, farms are proceeding without a hitch.  Shay Phelan and Ciaran Collins, Tillage Specialists with Teagasc, join this week's Tillage Edge podcast to discuss harvest yields so far and to consider possible reasons for the results. Both Ciaran and Shay agree winter barley yields are disappointing and pinpoint the factors behind higher yields — and they explain how the absence of those factors has led to lower returns. 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

Eddie Casey spoke to Michael Hennessy at the recent Johnstown Castle Research Centre Open Day to talk about Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and why it’s important for farmers to understand their soils and the actions they can take to influence CEC and nutrient retention.    Eddie explains what CEC is, how it affects a soil’s ability to hold and supply nutrients, and where soils with higher and lower CEC typically occur across the country.   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