Teagasc BETTER Farm Crops Programme

(Business, Environment and Technology through Training Extension and Research)

The Teagasc BETTER Farm Crops Programme aims to assist Irish tillage farmers to avail of cutting edge farm technology and business methods, to improve profitability and to develop links between research, advice and tillage farms.

Teagasc advisors, specialists and researchers are working with selected farmers to look at all areas of their production systems and by implementing the latest technologies and research, ensure maximum efficiency is achieved. These farms will become a benchmark for efficient production and for transferring knowledge to other farmers.

The objectives of the programme are to:

transfer knowledge to growers effectively at a local level
improve and develop existing methods/practices of production
improve the adoption of new technology

This programme will also capitalise on the integration of research and advice where a rapid technology transfer can take place while ensuring a two-way information flow including rapid identification of research issues and opportunities.

The programme focuses on increasing farm output and reducing production costs. Areas of particular interest include; soil management, agronomy, forward planning in areas such as machinery replacement, agro-chemicals, fertiliser, etc. with the intention of increasing margins over input costs, profits, etc.