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 reach of most people.

See a series of videos on AgOpenGPS here: 

AgOpenGPS - v6 - YouTube

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 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.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

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 areas farmers should focus on, James also talks through practical ways farmers can legitimately reduce their tax bill each 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 

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 water quality on his farm — actions that not only support his own business but also safeguard water resources for the wider community.

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 

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 margins and declining markets for some crops. 

The discussion also covers oilseed rape, and protein crops, along with potential opportunities emerging in the straw market.

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 

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 extra vermin protection to the harvesting equipment ahead of winter.

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 

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 grass weeds when applied late. 

John notes that, for now, the approach to controlling aphids in BYDV-tolerant varieties remains the same as for non-tolerant ones, though ongoing research is expected to provide clearer guidance on future strategies.

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 

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 importance of calculating your own fixed costs, what sets top-performing farms apart, and how tools like the Teagasc Profit Monitor and Machinery Cost Calculator can help in assembling and analysing your figures.

See more here:

https://teagasc.ie/publications/national-farm-survey-enterprise-factsheets-2024/

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 

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 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 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 your soils.

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