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, presents financial data on rye and its potential to improve profitability and diversify rotations.

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 

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 market 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 

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 podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

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 the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

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 [email protected].

Ciaran also highlights an excellent job opportunity for an advisor and technician to work in the project. Full details of the role and candidate requirements are available at: 

https://teagasc.ie/about/opportunities/current-vacancies/

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 

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:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

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 both conventional and Clearfield varieties.

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 

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 for later-sown crops.

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 

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 advice for future-proofing your harvest setup.

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 

Dermot Forristal from Teagasc Oak Park, explores how combine harvesters have evolved over the past 60 years on this week’s Tillage Edge.

From mechanical threshers to GPS-enabled machines, Dermot shares insights on key developments, the impact of farm size, and underused technologies that could boost efficiency. This is part one of a two-part series on combines.

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