The Tillage Edge

Last month Teagasc published sector roadmaps, including the Tillage Roadmap 2030, which sets production and sustainability targets and outlines changes needed to advance the sector. 
 
Achieving these ambitions will be challenging but vital. 
In this episode, John Spink, Head of the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme at Teagasc, and Dr Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Research, join us to explain the roadmap’s priorities, practical measures for farmers, and how research, industry and policy must align to deliver that vision.
 
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

Nitrogen is arguably the most important input in agriculture, and applying the right amount in the right place is essential to maximising return on investment.  
 
Dr Richie Hackett, a researcher with Teagasc, joins the podcast to discuss how farmers can get the best from their nitrogen inputs.
 
Richie explains that liquid nitrogen can be just as effective as solid nitrogen sources. Preliminary trial results also indicate that applying melted urea to cereals performs as well as applying urea in its solid form.
 
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 spring moves into peak planting season, the ideal window for establishing several crops is closing quickly. 
 
Conor Kavanagh, a tillage advisor from Tipperary, and Eoin Lyons, a tillage advisor from Laois, join the podcast to discuss spring planting progress in their respective areas and outline priorities for the coming week.
 
Eoin notes that good progress has been made across all crops, although a significant proportion of spring barley remains to be sown. 
 
Conor adds that approximately 15–20% of beans are still to be planted, and growers will be prioritising these in the week ahead.
 
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

Changes in the yellow rust population last year means that all winter wheat crops are at risk of infection in 2026.  
 
Dr. Stephen Kildea, a researcher with Teagasc, and Conor O’Callaghan, a Teagasc tillage advisor, join the Tillage Edge podcast to discuss the threat that yellow rust poses to wheat crops this season.
 
Conor says that where yellow rust is allowed to establish, it becomes difficult to control for the remainder of the season, making early intervention the most effective strategy, while Dr. Kildea adds that all winter wheat varieties are now vulnerable, and that fungicide treatment will be required across all crops 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

With the recent improvement in weather and a favourable forecast ahead, planting of spring cereals has now begun. 
 
Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, Tillage Specialists with Teagasc, join the podcast to discuss priorities for planting over the coming week and whether increased input costs are likely to influence plans this spring.
 
Shay says that typical costs for spring cropping have risen by approximately €100/ha, an increase of close to 15%. Meanwhile, Ciaran advises that spring beans should ideally be planted before the end of March to minimise the risk of a delayed harvest.
 
Both emphasise the importance of patience and waiting for suitable conditions to ensure well-prepared seedbeds 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