The Tillage Edge

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...

Dr Richie Hackett, a crops researcher at Teagasc Oak Park, is on this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss managing large cover‑crop canopies.    He explains the range of control methods available and why timing of destruction is critical - particularly the timing of destruction for your crop establishment system.    Richie also explains practical dos and don’ts for direct ploughing of cover crops.   Fo...

We’re focusing on continuous education and the benefits that upskilling can bring on this week’s Tillage Edge.    Shay Phelan, Teagasc Tillage Specialist, and Phelim McDonald, Teagasc Tillage Advisor in Carlow, join the show to discuss how farmers can continue to develop their skills.    Shay emphasises that building knowledge - particularly around herbicide resistance - and putting that knowledge...

This is our final episode of 2025, and I want to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and New Year.    I’d also like to thank you for joining me, Michael Hennessy, every week as we explored a wide range of topics throughout the year. It’s always great to meet people at events who listen to the podcast and to hear the suggestions for future episodes.   This year, Dermot Forristal, a long...

For this week’s Tillage Edge, we look beyond the headline events and discuss the trends and challenges that have shaped tillage farming over the past year.   Richie Hackett, independent agricultural consultant based in Dublin, and John Dunne, Cereals Variety Manager with Goldcrop in Cork, join the podcast to discuss the tillage year.     They talk about what growers can take from a season marked b...

GPS technology is now commonplace on tillage farms but many do not have auto steer installed.     Francis Quigley, Farm Machinery Specialist in Teagasc, joins the podcast to talk about how he built a GPS autosteer system from scratch using the AgOpenGPS platform.   Francis doesn’t describe himself as an electronics or computer expert and maintains that building a system like this is within the rea...

For this 2nd episode in a two part series, we re-join the conservation with James McDonnell, Financial Specialist with Teagasc, to discuss how farmers can get the most from their accounts and find out if there are other mechanisms, such as partnerships which can help them maximise their take home income.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to: https://www.teagasc.i...

Getting value from your tax accounts isn’t just about reducing the tax you pay each year, they can also provide important insights into your business and help you spot trends over time.     For this week's Tillage Edge, the first in a two-part series, James McDonnell, Financial Specialist with Teagasc, explains how farmers can get the most from their accounts.   Along with highlighting the key are...

This week we feature a recent instalment of the Signpost Series with Don Somers, a Wexford tillage farmer and the overall winner of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Award 2025.   Don describes his commitment to soil health through regular soil testing, the use of organic manures, and the precision application of fertilisers.    Don also discusses the measures he has taken to protect wa...

Teagasc Tillage Specialists, Shay Phelan and Ciarán Collins, discuss the key findings from the Teagasc Harvest Report 2025 on this week’s Tillage Edge.    Shay outlines how favourable weather and strong winter crop performance led to higher yields and a national cereal production of 2.23 million tonnes of grain.   It’s not all rosy, however, as Ciarán highlights the continued pressure on farm marg...

Teagasc Oak Park is Ireland’s most visited tillage farm, welcoming plenty of open days, international visitors, and discussion groups throughout the year.    This week, we’re joined by Oak Park Farm Manager, Brendan Bourke, for an autumn update from the farm.   Brendan chats about the different establishment methods they’ve been using, the new roller that’s been put to work, and how they’re adding...

Conor Kavanagh, a Teagasc tillage advisor in Tipperary, joins Michael on this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss weed control strategies in winter cereals.   Michael also chats with John Pettit, a Teagasc tillage advisor based in Wexford, about BYDV control strategies.   Conor first explains that it’s important to apply post-emergence herbicides as early as possible, as they’re far less effective on g...

Benchmarking helps farmers see where they stand and identify opportunities to improve profit and efficiency.   For this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Michael Hennessy talks to Dr. Fiona Thorne, Teagasc Economist, and Ciaran Collins, Tillage Specialist, about the latest Cereal Enterprise Factsheet and how to use Teagasc Costs and Returns to measure real farm performance.   They discuss the importanc...

Professor Andrew McGuire from Washington State University joins Michael Hennessy on this week’s Tillage Edge podcast to discuss how to assess the real value of crop inputs.  Andrew discusses practical ways to evaluate new products, bio-stimulants, and other supplemental products, highlighting the importance of evidence-based decisions and on-farm trials.    For more episodes and information from t...

We look at why improving soils is so important and how understanding the basics — from soil structure to nutrient interactions — can help you make lasting improvements.    Dr. Veronica Nyhan, Plant and Soils Specialist with Teagasc, joins us on the Tillage Edge to discuss core soil tests, key soil properties, and how tracking changes over time can show whether your practices are really helping you...

Planting of winter cereals is now underway, with good progress being made in the north-east, while things are moving a little slower in the south.    As crops go in, attention soon turns to weed control. In recent years, growers have faced increasing challenges from grass weeds like annual meadow grass and Italian ryegrass, particularly as resistance to herbicides continues to develop.    For this...

As winter cereal planting gets underway, farmers are focusing on crop mix decisions and the impact on farm margins.    For this episode of The Tillage Edge, we share the final talks from the Teagasc Crops Forum where Michael McKeon, Teagasc Pig & Poultry Specialist, highlights rye’s role in pig rations and the opportunities for home millers.    Ciaran Collins, Teagasc Tillage Specialist, prese...

This year’s Crops Forum focused on rye and its potential on tillage and pig farms with Dr. Richie Hackett from Oak Park, Teagasc, delivering the keynote talk.   For this week’s Tillage Edge, you will hear Richie’s talk that covered everything from seeding rates and nitrogen to disease control and beyond.    He also discussed market opportunities, while cautioning that growers should secure a marke...

As cereal planting decisions loom, variety choice is more important than ever.    This week's episode of the Tillage Edge looks at how shifting performance and rising yellow rust pressure will influence variety selection.    You will hear the insights from Dr. Stephen Kildea who spoke at the Teagasc Crops Forum held earlier this week.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podca...

For this second Tillage Edge episode from seed company open days, Michael Hennessy catches up with Seedtech’s Tim O’Donovan after their open day in Waterford.    Tim shares insights on top crop varieties that can boost farm profits and warns that yellow rust could be a big challenge next year—though quick action in early spring will keep it firmly in check.   For more episodes and information from...

Ciaran Collins, a Teagasc Tillage Specialist, explains the new Soil Cycle project and its goal of developing practical guidance for farmers on using organic manures on winter crops in the spring.    The project centres on farmers and contractors, and Ciaran is currently recruiting participants. If you’re interested, you can contact him at Ciaran. Collins@teagasc.ie .   Ciaran also highlights an ex...

In the first of two episodes covering seed company open days held earlier this year, John Dunne from Goldcrop discusses the selection of varieties available this season.    He highlights several new winter wheat varieties with improved disease resistance, and also touches on winter barley and rye during the conversation.   For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to: http...

Phelim McDonald, Teagasc's tillage advisor in the Carlow–Wexford region, and Shay Phelan, Teagasc tillage specialist, are on this week’s Tillage Edge to talk about oilseed rape planting for 2026.    Shay explains why oilseed rape offers a safer financial margin than cereals, thanks to its relatively stable price and consistent yield.    Phelim discusses seeding rates and rotational positions for b...

To find out about the harvest progress across the country, Michael Hennessy talks with John Brophy, Teagasc tillage advisor in north Kildare, and Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist.   They share yield updates for winter barley, wheat, oats, and oilseed rape, and discuss early results for spring barley.    The conversation also covers how this year compares to past seasons and the prospects...

In this follow-up episode on combines, Michael Hennessy continues his conversation with Dermot Forristal, a researcher in Teagasc, exploring the practical decisions farmers face when upgrading or maintaining a combine.    They discuss the cost-benefit of new technology, ownership models, and how tools like yield mapping and RTK autosteer can support better farm decisions.    Dermot also shares adv...