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National Tillage Conference 2024

The annual National Tillage Conference took place on Wednesday, 31st January from 9am - 4:15pm in the Lyrath Conference Centre, Paulstown Road, Kilkenny, R95 F685. The conference was an in-person event in a new interactive format, providing updates and outputs from the latest research at Oak Park. 

Conference Overview

In response to the impact of recent weather on winter sowing and the potential effect on seed supplies, there was a specific session on scenario planning for the season ahead, with contributions from farmers, industry and researchers. Research insights updated attendees on the trade-offs of crop establishment strategies, improved diagnostics to support seed health, the growing problem with poppys and building opportunities for oats. 

Aligned with the focus to identify and develop added-value opportunities for the sector, a dedicated session described the exciting potential for domestically sourced cereal to support a strongly branded and now diverse drinks industry. The recent progress in the carbon footprinting of Irish grain was also presented, as well as the continuing developments in the use of plant derived protein in the food industry. 

Interactive Workshops

This year NTC2024 featureed a series of practical, interactive workshops through the afternoon. Attendees had the opportunity to register for up to 3 workshops with each hosting a panel with research, farmer/industry and advisory input. Workshop themes included:

  • Are there synergies for the tillage and dairy sector?  
  • Getting to grips with grassweeds  
  • What do the 2030 Food Vision Tillage Group recommendations mean for the sector? 
  • Disease control decisions for 2024  
  • Getting the most out of your bean crop 

In addition, there was a series of practical demonstration stands in the main foyer throughout the day to provide additional insight across the several aspects of the Teagasc Crops research programme. 

Conference Presentations

Click on the links below to view the presentations all in pdf format

Session I  - Planning for the 2024 season

Results from the Teagasc winter sowing survey with possible scenarios for 2024 planting and consequential impact on rotation. Followed by panel discussion with research, sectoral and farmer input to Q&A from audience.

Panelists: Tim O'Donovan (ISTA), Dermot Forristal, Michael Hennessy, Shay Phelan and Tom Shortt

Session II – Research Snapshots I

Session II – Research Snapshots II

Session III – What added value opportunities exist for the tillage sector 

Interactive Workshops  

  • Workshop 1 - Are there synergies for the tillage and dairy sector ?
    • Michael Hennessy (Chair, Teagasc), Laurence Shalloo (Teagasc), David Wall (Teagasc), Tom Barry (Signpost Tillage Farmer).  
  • Workshop 2 – What do the 2030 Food Vision Tillage Group recommendations mean for the sector?
    • John Spink (Chair, Teagasc), Matt Dempsey, Kieran McEvoy (IFA), David Kelly (Macra), Bobby Millar (Farmer)
  • Workshop 3 – Getting to grips with grassweeds
    • Dermot Forristal (Chair, Teagasc); John Mahon (Teagasc), Vijaya Bhaskar (Teagasc), Rob Coleman (Farmer)
  • Workshop 4 – Disease control decisions for 2024
    • Denis Griffin (MC, Teagasc), Steven Kildea (Teagasc), Veronica Nyhan (Teagasc), Mervyn McCann (Farmer)  
  • Workshop 5 – Getting the most out of your bean crop
    • Donal Fitzgerald (Chair, Goldcrop), Ciaran Collins, Sheila Alves, Charles Smyth (Farmer)