Crops

Valuing slurry – the importance of testing
Organic manures such as slurry are a very valuable resource. Not only can they boost soil fertility, but when used effectively, they can allow for considerable savings on chemical fertiliser spend.
18 February 2025

Sit down and examine your costs
Before the main spring cropping season kicks into gear, tillage farmers have been encouraged to sit down and examine their costs of production.
17 February 2025

Winter barley fertiliser and establishing spring beans
As ground conditions improve, Teagasc Crops Specialist, Shay Phelan looks at the optimum time to apply fertiliser to winter barley crops and shares key advice on establishing spring beans and managing pigeon damage in winter oilseed rape crops.
13 February 2025

Jim McCarthy’s farming update from Romania
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.
13 February 2025

Tillage’s environmental credentials
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.
06 February 2025
Key points for spreading protected urea
The ability to spread protected urea and the accuracy of applications were the topics of much debate over 2024. Before the fertiliser spreading season commences, Dermot Forristal, Teagasc Oak Park, shares some key tips to improve accuracy.
03 February 2025

How can the accuracy of fertiliser application be improved?
Setup and calibration of fertiliser spreaders is very important to ensure even distribution of fertilisers when spreading. This involves adjusting the spreader settings to achieve accurate application rates and uniform coverage.
03 February 2025

Achieving a high yield from beans
In 2024, the area planted with beans reached a record 18,000ha. This was partly because farmers had fewer crop options due to a late spring, and the guaranteed income from the protein payment made beans attractive.
02 February 2025
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Switching off the (b)lights
Pesticide resistance is an increasing challenge in crop production. The Teagasc-led project IPMorama seeks to drive crop resistance to mitigate issues around heavy pesticide use.
01 February 2025

What the tillage sector needs to manage with reduced pesticide use
More resistant varieties, changes in sowing dates and crop rotations, along with the need for additional decision support services are just some of the mitigation measures the Irish tillage sector must adopt to overcome the challenge of reduced pesticide usage.
30 January 2025

Time to plan for field actions
Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops KT, tells us that despite the persistently poor weather in recent days and the now waterlogged soils, winter crops are holding up well, with most fields maintaining a relatively green hue.
30 January 2025

Reducing pesticide use will reduce yields
Pesticide reductions and the role of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) were standout topics discussed at the Teagasc National Tillage Conference, held yesterday, January 29.
30 January 2025

Cover crops - a practical solution to improve water quality
Tillage farmers were reminded of the important role cover crops can play in the protection of water quality, more specifically nitrate capture, at the Teagasc National Tillage Conference, held yesterday, January 29, in Co. Kilkenny.
30 January 2025

Pea and bean intercropping - lessons learnt to date
Researchers in the Teagasc Crops Research Centre have taken a novel approach to producing pea crops by intercropping with faba beans.
29 January 2025
Benefits of non-inversion systems sometimes overestimated
Established to compare and contrast the performance of conventional tillage versus minimum tillage systems, results of a 23 year study from Knockbeg, Co. Carlow were shared with delegates at this year’s Teagasc National Tillage Conference, today, January 29.
29 January 2025

Setting the scene for the Teagasc National Tillage Conference
Taking place next Wednesday, January 29th, in the Lyrath Conference Centre, Kilkenny, the Teagasc National Tillage Conference will equip farmers with the latest knowledge and tools to aid the overall sustainability of their businesses.
24 January 2025

Spring barley varieties for 2025: Key changes and agronomic developments
Selecting the right variety is a crucial decision for every spring barley grower. While high yield is important, Teagasc Crops Specialist, Ciaran Collins explains why choosing a variety with strong resistance to disease and lodging can ultimately be more profitable for farmers.
23 January 2025

A Preview of the National Tillage Conference
For this week’s Tillage Edge, Dr. Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Science at Teagasc, gives a preview of what to expect this years Teagasc National Tillage Conference.
23 January 2025

Maximising the Benefits of Slurry Application on Tillage Farms
Michael Hennessy tells us many farmers are eager to start applying slurry now that the spreading window has reopened. He emphasizes the need for an up-to-date nutrient management plan and highlights how well-managed slurry can improve soil health and ensures future productivity.
16 January 2025

Part Four: Farm Partnerships - Planning for Farm Succession
For the final part of our four-part series on farm succession, we chat to Ruth Fennell, a Collaborative Farm Specialist with Teagasc.
16 January 2025

Finding the optimum forward speed when spreading slurry
As more farmers move to using Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) technologies, finding the most appropriate forward speed is necessary to ensure slurry is applied at the correct rate.
15 January 2025

New advancements in BYDV testing
Researchers in the Teagasc Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, have developed a new method to facilitate more accurate detection of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), in both the barley host and the aphid vector.
13 January 2025

Herbicide resistance update on 2024 harvest samples
As part of the Teagasc weed monitoring programme, grass weeds suspected of herbicide resistance or difficult to control were submitted by growers/advisors in 2024 for testing. Vijaya Bhaskar AV shares key findings and insights.
10 January 2025

The many benefits of crop rotation
As part of an article first published in Today’s Farm, John Pettit, B&T Advisor, and Ciaran Collins, Crops Specialist, took a closer look at crop rotation including its ecological, integrated pest management, cost savings and risk management benefits.
09 January 2025

Part three: The Key Steps to Successful Implementation - Planning for Farm Succession
For the third episode in a four-part series on farm succession planning on the Tillage Edge podcast, James McDonnell, a financial specialist with Teagasc, takes a closer look at the key steps to successful implementation and revisiting a succession plan.
09 January 2025

Tillage advice: Minimum buffer zones to protect water
As we enter the New Year, attention will soon shift to ploughing and cultivation. With this in mind, Crops Specialist at Teagasc, Ciaran Collins reminds us why it is essential to adhere to buffer zones near water sources.
03 January 2025

Nutrient management planning for 2025
Shay Phelan, Crops Specialist at Teagasc, shares seven things to consider for effective nutrient management planning in 2025.
28 December 2024

Planning for farm succession: Tax implications of farm transfers
For the second of the four-part series on farm succession, James McDonnell, a Farm Management Specialist with Teagasc re-joins Michael Hennessy to take a closer look at the various tax implications when planning for the farm transfer.
26 December 2024

What lies ahead for tillage margins?
As part of the Teagasc Outlook 2025, Economic Prospects for Agriculture, Dr. Fiona Thorne of the Teagasc Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department provided a forecast for 2025 tillage margins.
26 December 2024
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Reviewing yields with Signpost farmer Tom Barry
After a challenging year, Tom Barry, a Signpost tillage farmer from Co. Cork, takes a look back at the yields obtained on his farm.
23 December 2024