The Tillage Edge

23:45

Better Weed Control Begins Before Emergence

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/10/08

As soon as cereal planting is completed, attention turns to protecting crops and laying the foundations for strong weed control. On this episode of the Tillage Edge podcast, Teagasc Crop Specialists, Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, discuss the critical role of pre-emergence herbicides in managing both grass and broadleaf weeds.Shay highlights that research consistently shows pre-emergence herbicides are the most effective tool for controlling grass weeds. Ciaran explains that achieving the

en

17:50

Farm Succession: Starting the Conversation

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/09/30

Farm succession is one of the most important conversations any farm family will have, yet it is often one of the most difficult to start. On this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Michael Hennessy is joined by James McDonnell, Teagasc Farm Management Specialist, to discuss the key steps involved in transferring the family farm to the next generation. James outlines how families can begin the succession planning process, the options available to farmers who are not ready to transfer ownership

en

17:39

Why soil sampling is a critical task on every farm

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/09/24

We rely on our soils more than any other resource to deliver crop performance and farm profitability year after year. Just like machinery, soils require regular attention and maintenance to perform at their best.This week on the Tillage Edge podcast, Veronica Nyhan, Soil and Plant Specialist with Teagasc, and Ewen Johnstown, owner of South East Sampling Services, discuss the importance of soil sampling and how to do it correctly. They explain why taking an accurate soil sample is the

en

18:23

The Soil Monitoring Law is coming – how will it...

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/09/21

Lillian O’Sullivan, a Soil Researcher with Teagasc, joins the Tillage Edge podcast to discuss the new Soil Monitoring Law being introduced across Europe and what it means for tillage farmers.Lillian explains that the legislation will allow individual countries to develop targets that reflect their own soil conditions, with the coming years focused on establishing national baselines and monitoring frameworks. While there is still significant work to be done, she notes that Irish soils are

en

24:14

From the Crops Forum Part 2: Adjusting rotations &...

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/09/17

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)

en

19:21

From the Crops Forum: New varieties & the best way to...

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/09/11

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

en

14:52

Returning a better margin in 2027 – a preview of the...

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/09/03

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

en

25:44

Harvest round up from Tillage Signpost farmers

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/08/28

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

en

27:14

Oilseed rape still the star crop on most farms

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/08/20

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

en

8:18

Planting cover crops using a drone

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/08/13

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

en

26:31

The highs and lows of the harvest so far

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/08/06

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

en

20:37

Why Stubble Cultivation Lowers Your Weed Burden

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/07/30

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

en

25:21

Harvest 2026 – how it is shaping up so far

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/07/23

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

en

10:15

Why Cation Exchange Capacity Matters on Your Farm

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/07/16

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

en

13:16

Maintaining quality seeds through the supply chain

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/07/09

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

en

13:13

Soil health matter to boost yields

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/07/02

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

en

19:18

New varieties from Goldcrop

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/06/25

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

en

22:00

Brian Caldbeck in the US on Wheat, Drought & the...

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/06/18

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

en

25:31

Opening the Gate: Sustainable Farming in Practice at...

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/06/11

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

en

28:10

Report from the UK on the drought and blackgrass control

The Tillage Edge ·

2026/06/04

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

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

The DSR Network

The DSR Network

TikTok - Collected Reports

Various

Macroaggressions

Charlie Robinson

IDSC Podcast

IDSC Egypt

New Books in European Politics

New Books Network