The Tillage Edge

The Teagasc Crops Forum took place last week, bringing together a range of informative presentations focused on the latest developments in tillage production. We feature two of those talks on this week’s Tillage Edge with Shay Phelan, Tillage Specialist with Teagasc, discussing how growers can adjust crop rotations to improve profitability and resilience. We also hear from Louise McNamara, a Teagasc researcher, who presents recent trial results on controlling Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) in BYDV tolerant barley varieties. Presentation slides from the Teagasc Crops Forum are available at: www.teagasc.ie/publications 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 Teagasc Crops Forum took place this week featuring a range of informative presentations focused on the latest developments in tillage production. For this week’s Tillage Edge, we hear from two of those presenters. Cara Mac Aodháin from the Department of Agriculture's Cereal Variety Testing Division discusses the latest additions and changes to the Recommended Lists and what they mean for growers. Vijaya Bhaskar, Teagasc Crops Specialist, explains why pre-emergence herbicides remain the cornerstone of effective weed control in cereals and outlines key considerations for the season ahead. Presentation slides from the Teagasc Crops Forum are available at: www.teagasc.ie/publications 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

Everyone in the industry is asking how tillage can remain competitive into the future. Poor yields are often blamed on the weather, but other factors such as rotations, soil management, and fertiliser can play a big role. Shay Phelan and Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage specialists, join the show to discuss the upcoming Teagasc National Crops Forum and the practical steps farmers can take to protect margins. Ciaran highlights that tweaking rotations and using organic manures can make a significant difference, with many growers reporting higher yields where these practices are adopted. 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 harvest of combinable crops is almost complete and for this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy speaks with Tillage Signpost farmers Tom Tierney (Kildare), Don Somers (Wexford) and Tom Barry (Cork) about their 2026 harvests. Don was somewhat disappointed by yields but emphasises that a diverse crop rotation helps reduce risk. Tom Barry reported good yields, which he attributes to high fertility and the use of organic manures. And Tom Tierney teamed up with his neighbour for harvesting — a collaboration he described as very successful this 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

Oilseed rape has been a strong performer on Irish farms thanks to consistent yields, high prices and potential for lower production costs. Eoin Lyons, Teagasc advisor, Laois, and Ciarán Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist, join the Tillage Edge podcast to discuss rotational slots, varieties, establishment and early management of oilseed rape. Eoin stresses the importance of avoiding sowing into very dry soils, which can cause uneven emergence and lead to management problems later in the season. 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

Drone technology is becoming more accessible and increasingly useful on tillage farms and on this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy speaks with Daniel O'Reilly of Aerial Ag Ireland about a large agricultural drone used to apply cover‑crop seed into a standing spring barley crop. Daniel explains how the system works, why it’s well suited to in‑crop application, and how a machine that can carry up to 40 kg of seed can speed up application and reduce the need for ground machinery. 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 more than half the harvest completed overall (and some areas more than 80% finished), Teagasc advisors, Michael McCarthy (Cork), Mark Trimble (Kilkenny) and John Brophy (Naas) join the podcast to discuss harvest results in their regions. Yields are mixed — most cereal grain has been disappointing, although oilseed rape performed well across the board. As Michael McCarthy noted, “Once again oilseed rape is the star of the show and I have had a number of enquiries about planting it again for next 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

Reducing the seed burden in the soil is key to lowering weed pressure in subsequent growing crops and for this week’s Tillage Edge, Dr Vijaya Bhaskar, a weed researcher at Teagasc Oak Park, joins the podcast to discuss what farmers can do in the coming weeks to tackle weeds. He also reviews new research on brome dormancy and the implications for this year’s stubble cultivation. 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 harvest well underway and the continued good weather, farms are proceeding without a hitch. Shay Phelan and Ciaran Collins, Tillage Specialists with Teagasc, join this week's Tillage Edge podcast to discuss harvest yields so far and to consider possible reasons for the results. Both Ciaran and Shay agree winter barley yields are disappointing and pinpoint the factors behind higher yields — and they explain how the absence of those factors has led to lower returns. 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

Eddie Casey spoke to Michael Hennessy at the recent Johnstown Castle Research Centre Open Day to talk about Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and why it’s important for farmers to understand their soils and the actions they can take to influence CEC and nutrient retention. Eddie explains what CEC is, how it affects a soil’s ability to hold and supply nutrients, and where soils with higher and lower CEC typically occur across the country. 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

Purchased seed is a foundational part of crop production each year and for this week’s Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy caught up with Jim Cunningham, Seed Plant Manager at Goldcrop’s production facility in Dunleer, Co Louth to chat about how he and his team maintain seed quality and varietal purity from intake through processing, storage and dispatch to growers for the following season. 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

At the recent Johnstown Castle Research Centre Open Day, Michael Hennessy caught up with Dr. Fiona Brennan, a Teagasc Senior Researcher in Soil Microbiology, to talk about soil health and how tillage farmers can keep their soils in top condition. Fiona outlines the key parameters that affect soil health—structure, organic matter, biology, nutrient balance and drainage—and highlights practical steps farmers can take throughout the year to improve those factors and boost crop yields. 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

New varieties help maintain or increase on-farm yields and Michael Hennessy caught up with John Dunne, Trials Manager at Goldcrop, after their Dunleer open day to discuss the latest varieties coming through the system. John covers developments in resistance to yellow rust in winter wheat and the near‑standard BYDV tolerance now seen in winter barleys, and explains what those changes mean for growers when choosing 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

Getting an international perspective can help put current grain-market conditions into context — and for this episode of The Tillage Edge, Brian Caldbeck, an Irish grower who runs Rubisco Seeds in Kentucky, USA, joins the show to discuss what he’s seeing across the U.S. crop landscape. Locally in Kentucky wheat yields are good, but recent rains may have created quality concerns, while further west severe drought has significantly reduced production and many fields were used for forage rather than grain production. 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

Don Somers, a tillage farmer from Wexford, and the overall winner of the Environmental Sustainability award in 2025, joins The Tillage Edge, along with John Mahon, his Signpost Farm advisor, to preview the open evening at Don’s farm on June 17th. The event is targeted at farmers, non-farmers and young people to showcase sustainable practices on tillage farms. Don is particularly keen to show people that a commercial tillage farm can work hand in hand with the surrounding environment. Further details of the event and registration are at: https://teagasc.ie/event/a-somers-evening-farm-walk/ 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

Dubliner Andy Mahon, who is farm manager of the Bromborough Estate in Northamptonshire, UK, discusses crop conditions, how the business is coping with the difficult weather, grass-weed pressure and recent changes to farm support. Andy also outlines his blackgrass strategy — from planning and growing crops in fields with low blackgrass population, to targeted herbicide use and post-emergence controls — and is candid about the challenge, saying that despite persistent efforts it remains hard to get the weed fully under control. 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

North Kildare farmer, Phillip Harris, and Teagasc advisor, John Brophy, discuss crop progress and management challenges on this week’s Tillage Edge. Phillip describes the adjustments he’s made since changing to strip till establishment, plus a strict containment plan for grass weeds involving crop burn off, fallow and rigorous hand rouging. Phillip recommends herbicide testing for resistance in the identified weeds. John warns that many spring crops face moisture stress and urges caution with herbicide applications, especially tank mixes or spraying marginal crops. For more on weed testing for herbicide resistance go to: https://teagasc.ie/crops/crops/grass-weeds/dealing-with-a-grass-weed-problem/herbicide-resistance/ 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 re-join the conversation with Jim McCarthy, who farms an extensive holding in north-eastern Romania, as Jim walks us through recent changes on the farm, most notably his move away from the big-name manufacturers toward more affordable South American machinery to reduce costs. He also discusses the wider crisis facing Romanian agriculture after three severe droughts: bankruptcies among local suppliers, a tightening of credit for farmers, and many crops that have not yet received fertiliser this season. 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

Michael McCarthy, a Teagasc tillage advisor, and Tom Barry, a farmer near Mallow, Cork, discuss how crops in their area are progressing. This spring brought three distinct planting windows and Michael is concerned about the later two as emergence is only ok and there is visible damage on the headlands, so those fields will need close monitoring. Tom reports his winter crops are looking well and he’s up to date with fertiliser and spraying operations. He’s used organic slurries for several years and says the improved soil resilience is helping crops cope in a challenging season. 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 is farming a large tract of land in Romania, joins this week’s Tillage Edge to talk about the progress on his farm over the past few months. Jim talks about the changes in establishment system and how this is helping maintain yields by trapping more moisture and allowing him to reduce fertiliser inputs. However, Jim remains cautious about the outlook for prices and expresses concern about overall costs rising and eroding profitability of the sector. 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