Is oilseed rape for 2026 a safer bet than cereals?
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.comÂ
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26:06
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26:06
Harvest 2025 – some record yields reported
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.comÂ
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19:42
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19:42
Investing in the Future: Choosing the Right Combine for Your Farm
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.comÂ
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18:53
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18:53
From thrashers to tech – the evolution of combines over the past 60 years
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.comÂ
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21:23
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21:23
Harvest 2025 Update
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.comÂ
The Tillage Edge is Teagasc's weekly tillage podcast, presented by Michael Hennessy, bringing you weekly episodes covering the agronomy needs of crops throughout the season with input from Teagasc researchers and views from across the industry.
The Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com
Ireland