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 

Teagasc Tillage Specialists, Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, discuss the harvest so far on this week’s Tillage Edge.

They discuss how, to date, winter barley yields have been above the five-year average. 

However, Shay also highlights that some varieties have not performed as well as others.

Ciaran emphasises the importance of managing stubbles — both for compliance and weed control — and advises growers to carefully calculate the maximum area that can be cultivated or left fallow for birds.

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 

Tom Kelly, Scheme Manager of the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme, joins us on this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss how Irish grain meets high quality standards. 

We explore the key elements of the scheme, its role in ensuring traceability and market confidence, and what it means for farmers on the ground.

Tom also outlines new requirements around trailer identification and what farmers need to do in 2025.

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 continue our coverage from the recent Teagasc Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park, Carlow. 

Michael Hennessy speaks with John Spink about the launch of the Tillage AgNav programme which is an important new decision support tool for Irish tillage farmers. 

Richie Hackett shares advice on growing winter rye, a crop gaining popularity in recent years.

And Stephen Kildea discusses wheat diseases, with a focus on why yellow rust has become more problematic in 2025.

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