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.com
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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.com
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20:49
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20:49
What’s behind Ireland’s Grain Quality Assurance?
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
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15:40
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15:40
Tillage AgNav tool, growing winter rye and tackling wheat diseases – highlights from the Oak Park Open Day part 2
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
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21:08
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21:08
Highlights from the Oak Park Open Day
For this week’s Tillage Edge, we bring you highlights from the Teagasc Crops & Technology Open Day in Oak Park, Carlow. Michael Hennessy chats with Dr. Ewen Mullins about the event and farmer feedback, Veronica Nyhan gives a tour of the soil pit, and Jack Jameson discusses his wheat variety trials. Packed with practical insights and research updates, this episode captures key moments from a busy and engaging event. 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 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