Crops are growing rapidly, and careful management is essential to prevent lodging before harvest. 

For this week’s Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy is joined by Dr. Richie Hackett from Teagasc Oak Park to discuss strategies for reducing lodging risk and the best use of plant growth regulators (PGRs).

Richie explains that high nitrogen rates and fertile fields are most vulnerable to lodging, and he also explains that variety selection plays a key role, noting that Champion winter wheat is more prone to lodging than most other wheats on the recommended list

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 weather allowing farmers to plant crops and treat winter crops in ideal conditions, the only concern is the harsh wind which was slowing growth. 

For this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy is joined by Teagasc tillage specialists, Shay Phelan and Ciaran Collins, to discuss how crops are progressing and the key management steps needed in the next couple of weeks.

Shay highlighted concerns about yellow rust emerging in crops nationwide, particularly in susceptible varieties in the northeast and he urges all growers to inspect their fields for signs of the disease.

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 explore the benefits of using pig slurry as an alternative to chemical fertilisers in tillage farming on the latest Tillage Edge podcast. 

Michael McKeon, Teagasc pig specialist, and Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist, discuss how to target the use of pig slurry on tillage farms. 

We cover best practices for application, nutrient replacement, transport logistics, and regulatory considerations, while Michael explains that pig farmers are well used to organising the logistics of getting slurry to the tillage farm.  

Teagasc are also running an event in Matty Moore’s farm in Offaly looking at applying pig slurry to winter crops using an umbilical cord system. 

For more information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/signpost-tillage-walk.php

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  

On-farm experimentation or trials come naturally to some farmers, while others see them as a hassle or someone else’s responsibility. 

On this week’s Tillage Edge, Jack Jameson, a Teagasc researcher, and John Pettit, a Teagasc tillage adviser working in the southeast, discuss how farmers can set up their own on-farm trials and maximise the benefits for their efforts.

John points out that when farmers don’t see much of a result from different treatments, it could be due to a design or practice error—but it might also mean there’s simply no difference between the treatments. 

However, if a treatment has shown a difference in independent, replicated trials, it could be worth revisiting the on-farm trial setup to ensure it’s providing meaningful insights.

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 week on the Tillage Edge, we catch up with John Crowley, a Signpost tillage farmer from Wexford, to discuss his farming system. 

Located in the heart of malting barley country, John is dedicated to producing high-spec malting barley each year. 

Despite transitioning to a min-till establishment system and incorporating organic manures, he has successfully maintained the quality and consistency of his crop. 

Tune in as we explore how these changes have impacted his farm and his approach to sustainable tillage.

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 

When the rubber hits the road, that’s when the action happens - and when tyres hit the soil, that’s when compaction may become a serious issue. 

For this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Dermot Forristal, a machinery researcher from Teagasc Oak Park, discusses the evolution of tractor tyres and how they impact traction, load capacity, and soil compaction.

Dermot explains how the mix of machinery size and dual wheels in the 1980s provided an optimal balance for weight distribution. In contrast, today’s larger and heavier tractors are pushing tyre technology to its limits, struggling to distribute weight effectively and minimise soil compaction.

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 spring just around the corner and crop growth set to take off shortly, Ciaran Collins, a Tillage Specialist with Teagasc, and John Pettit, Teagasc Tillage Enterprise Advisor in Wexford, join this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss crop inputs for the coming weeks.  

In particular, we focus on nitrogen application for oilseed rape and winter cereals.  John emphasises that there’s no rush to apply nitrogen to most winter wheat or winter oat crops. 

However, he does stress the importance of walking each field to assess individual needs - especially for crops that are weaker or in rotational positions that may require nitrogen a little earlier than others.

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 

Jim McCarthy, who manages a large farming operation in Romania, shares his insights into the challenges of 2024 when extreme heat devastated yields across the country.

He discusses how his no-till system has been of huge benefit for his farm and explores diversification options, including forestry, that he has pursued in recent years.  

Also, don’t miss our series of Winter Crop Workshops in the coming week – see more here:

www.teagasc.ie/tillagemonth

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 environmental credentials of the tillage sector were discussed at this year’s National Tillage Conference and on this week’s Tillage Edge, we chat with Dr. Bridget Lynch, a researcher at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, about cover crops and their positive impact on water quality. 

We also speak with Dr. Giulia Bondi, another researcher at Johnstown Castle, who discusses carbon levels in tillage soils.

Giulia shares insights from the Tillage Signpost Farms, highlighting that carbon stocks found in these tillage soils was higher than expected. One key contributing factor is the deep burial of carbon.

The conference presentations are also available at www.teagasc.ie/tillagecon25

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 standout topics at this year's National Tillage Conference was on pesticide reduction and the role of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Presenters Meghan England and Robert McDougall, both researchers at Teagasc, join this week’s Tillage Edge podcast to share their insights.

Meghan conducted an extensive review of scientific papers and concluded that the evidence supporting pesticide reduction, whilst maintaining yields, is quite limited. 

Meanwhile, Robert's research highlighted that expert opinion suggests a significant yield reduction in Ireland if pesticide use is curtailed. 

Presentations are available at www.teagasc.ie/tillagecon25

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