x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Tillage Edge

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

government

All Episodes

12:51

The Evolution of Sprayer Technology - Part 2

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/06/12

Sprayer technology has advanced significantly over the past decade, yet the core principle remains the same: delivering the correct spray quality and rate to the target area. For this week’s Tillage Edge podcast - the second of a two-part series with Dermot Forristal, a researcher with Teagasc - Dermot discusses the latest developments in sprayer technology, including nozzle technology and where this technology can be best used on farms. For more episodes and information from the Tillage

en

20:20

US farmers are behind on plantings

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/06/05

The grain harvest in the United States has a significant impact on global markets - and directly influences harvest prices here in Ireland. So, for this week’s Tillage Edge, Brian Caldbeck, an Irishman running a seed business in Kentucky, returns to the show to discuss how US farmers are faring this season. Brian explains that farmers in the Kentucky area are currently facing very wet conditions, which are delaying the completion of planting. However, he notes that overall plantings across

en

16:12

The Evolution of Sprayer Technology – Part 1

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/05/29

Sprayer technology has advanced significantly over the past decade, yet the core principle remains the same: delivering the correct spray quality and rate to the target area.For this week's Tillage Edge podcast — the first of a two-part series — Dermot Forristal, researcher with Teagasc, discusses the latest developments in sprayer technology and how these innovations can support farmers in the day-to-day management of their crops. For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge

en

20:44

How Don Somers increases precision on his farm

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/05/22

Challenges like weather, product availability and varying soil types often means that blanket applications are the norm rather than precise, targeted inputs. This week, the Tillage Signpost programme held an event at Don Somers’ farm in county Wexford to explore how he’s applying inputs with greater accuracy and Michael Hennessy spoke to Don on the latest Tillage Edge podcast to find out more. For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go

en

20:51

Dry conditions begin to bite and what that means for...

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/05/15

The dry conditions over the past 10 days - and with no rain in the forecast - means that spring crops in particular, are coming under pressure. John Pettit, a Teagasc tillage advisor in Wexford, and Ciaran Collins, a Teagasc tillage specialist, join the Tillage Edge this week to discuss the key agronomy actions needed over the next week to 10 days. Both John and Ciaran acknowledge the impact of the dry spell and note that, while the weather has reduced immediate disease pressure, the

en

22:54

Yellow Rust, Ramularia & More: May’s Disease...

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/05/08

The coming weeks are critical for controlling foliar diseases in cereal crops and Dr Stephen Kildea, researcher at Teagasc Oak Park, joins the Tillage Edge this week to discuss the best disease management strategies for the weather conditions expected in May 2025. Stephen highlights the increased yellow rust pressure in some crops.“The main fungicide timings should be adequate to control this new yellow rust strain,” he says. “But I would encourage growers to examine their crops weekly

en

29:26

Crop management for the week ahead and UK farming...

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/05/01

Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, both tillage specialists with Teagasc, join the Tillage Edge this week to discuss the key actions needed in crops over the next 7 to 10 days. We also hear from Andy Mahon, a Dubliner and farm manager in the UK, who shares his experience of the 2025 season so far. Andy highlights the stark realities facing UK farmers following the loss of direct payments and reflects on the shifting government attitude towards farming. For more episodes and information from

en

20:31

Why the plough still pulls weight – and what’s...

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/04/24

The plough remains the most widely used crop establishment system in Ireland, but alternative methods can be just as effective under the right conditions. In this Tillage Edge episode, the first of two parts, Michael Hennessy is joined by Dermot Forristal, a Crops and Machinery Researcher at Teagasc Oak Park, to explore the history and evolution of cultivation systems in Irish tillage farming. Dermot takes us through over 100 years of crop establishment practices, explaining how changes in

en

24:44

How will the US tariffs impact Irish tillage farmers?

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/04/17

The on-again, off-again tariffs being proposed by the US may have significant implications for Irish tillage farmers in the months and years ahead. For this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy is joined by Professor Michael Wallace, economist of agriculture and food in UCD, to discuss the potential effects of these global trade developments on the Irish tillage sector. Professor Wallace outlines the impact of existing tariffs and how new measures could further disrupt global

en

22:58

Why the Teagasc Crop Report is an essential tool for...

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/04/10

With crop inputs being applied weekly, farmers and agronomists face constant decisions around product choice, application timing, and overall strategy. For this episode of The Tillage Edge, Denis Dunne, Trials Manager at Seedtech, joins us to discuss how he uses the Teagasc Crop Report as a vital tool — not just for daily agronomy decisions, but also to inform strategies for weed and disease control. Denis explains how the Crop Report incorporates the latest research, which in turn

en

19:43

The best use of plant growth regulators

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/04/04

Crops are growing rapidly, and careful management is essential to prevent lodging before harvest. For this week’s Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy is joined by Dr. Richie Hackett from Teagasc Oak Park to discuss strategies for reducing lodging risk and the best use of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Richie explains that high nitrogen rates and fertile fields are most vulnerable to lodging, and he also explains that variety selection plays a key role, noting that Champion winter wheat is more

en

24:35

Crop agronomy for the next two weeks

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/03/27

With the weather allowing farmers to plant crops and treat winter crops in ideal conditions, the only concern is the harsh wind which was slowing growth. For this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy is joined by Teagasc tillage specialists, Shay Phelan and Ciaran Collins, to discuss how crops are progressing and the key management steps needed in the next couple of weeks. Shay highlighted concerns about yellow rust emerging in crops nationwide, particularly in susceptible

en

16:22

Pig slurry in tillage - a natural boost for soil &...

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/03/20

We explore the benefits of using pig slurry as an alternative to chemical fertilisers in tillage farming on the latest Tillage Edge podcast. Michael McKeon, Teagasc pig specialist, and Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist, discuss how to target the use of pig slurry on tillage farms. We cover best practices for application, nutrient replacement, transport logistics, and regulatory considerations, while Michael explains that pig farmers are well used to organising the logistics of

en

22:38

On-farm trials: turning research into results

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/03/13

On-farm experimentation or trials come naturally to some farmers, while others see them as a hassle or someone else’s responsibility. On this week’s Tillage Edge, Jack Jameson, a Teagasc researcher, and John Pettit, a Teagasc tillage adviser working in the southeast, discuss how farmers can set up their own on-farm trials and maximise the benefits for their efforts. John points out that when farmers don’t see much of a result from different treatments, it could be due to a design or

en

21:54

Integrating old ideas with new technology

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/03/06

This week on the Tillage Edge, we catch up with John Crowley, a Signpost tillage farmer from Wexford, to discuss his farming system. Located in the heart of malting barley country, John is dedicated to producing high-spec malting barley each year. Despite transitioning to a min-till establishment system and incorporating organic manures, he has successfully maintained the quality and consistency of his crop. Tune in as we explore how these changes have impacted his farm and his approach

en

28:43

What is the ideal tyre for your farm?

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/02/27

When the rubber hits the road, that’s when the action happens - and when tyres hit the soil, that’s when compaction may become a serious issue. For this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Dermot Forristal, a machinery researcher from Teagasc Oak Park, discusses the evolution of tractor tyres and how they impact traction, load capacity, and soil compaction. Dermot explains how the mix of machinery size and dual wheels in the 1980s provided an optimal balance for weight distribution. In contrast,

en

22:21

Applying nitrogen to winter crops

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/02/21

With spring just around the corner and crop growth set to take off shortly, Ciaran Collins, a Tillage Specialist with Teagasc, and John Pettit, Teagasc Tillage Enterprise Advisor in Wexford, join this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss crop inputs for the coming weeks. In particular, we focus on nitrogen application for oilseed rape and winter cereals. John emphasises that there’s no rush to apply nitrogen to most winter wheat or winter oat crops. However, he does stress the importance of

en

41:31

Jim McCarthy’s farming update from Romania

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/02/13

Jim McCarthy, who manages a large farming operation in Romania, shares his insights into the challenges of 2024 when extreme heat devastated yields across the country. He discusses how his no-till system has been of huge benefit for his farm and explores diversification options, including forestry, that he has pursued in recent years. Also, don’t miss our series of Winter Crop Workshops in the coming week – see more here:www.teagasc.ie/tillagemonth For more episodes and information from

en

23:39

Tillage’s environmental credentials – report from the...

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/02/06

The environmental credentials of the tillage sector were discussed at this year’s National Tillage Conference and on this week’s Tillage Edge, we chat with Dr. Bridget Lynch, a researcher at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, about cover crops and their positive impact on water quality. We also speak with Dr. Giulia Bondi, another researcher at Johnstown Castle, who discusses carbon levels in tillage soils. Giulia shares insights from the Tillage Signpost Farms, highlighting that carbon stocks

en

28:50

Reducing pesticides use will reduce yields

The Tillage Edge ·

2025/01/30

One of the standout topics at this year's National Tillage Conference was on pesticide reduction and the role of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Presenters Meghan England and Robert McDougall, both researchers at Teagasc, join this week’s Tillage Edge podcast to share their insights. Meghan conducted an extensive review of scientific papers and concluded that the evidence supporting pesticide reduction, whilst maintaining yields, is quite limited. Meanwhile, Robert's research highlighted

en

287 results

Similar Podcasts

The Fly

Georgetown"s Institute of Politics and...

THE CONSTITUTION STUDY

Paul Engel

The DSR Daily

The DSR Network

The Lawfare Podcast

The Lawfare Institute

Fora do Baralho

Rádio Observador