Crops
Using slurry to reduce the cost of growing cereal crops
Shay Phelan, Mark Plunkett, John Mahon and Gerard McCutcheon tell us that slurry is a valuable nutrient source and its efficient use can help off-set rising fertiliser costs.
14 April 2023
Rebuilding of fodder stocks a priority
A challenging March has caused issues for dairy, drystock and tillage farmers, attendees heard at yesterday’s meeting of the Fertiliser Sub-group of the National Food and Fodder Security Committee in Teagasc Oak Park, Co. Carlow.
14 April 2023
Weather halting spring crop work
Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist, tells us that over the last number of weeks, field operations in tillage fields has been reduced due to poor weather and soil conditions.
13 April 2023
Critical crop agronomy for mid-April
All tillage farmers have a long list of crop management tasks which needs to be completed as soon as possible and on this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, both Tillage Specialists in Teagasc, chat through the critical tasks which need addressing on tillage farms.
13 April 2023
Irish support for the distribution of seed potatoes to Ukraine
Ukraine is the among the top five potato producers in the world and the bulk of its production is small-holder farmer based.
11 April 2023
Tillage advice: An update on crop performance
Shay Phelan, Teagasc Crops and Potato specialist, tells us how a variety of crops are performing right now.
06 April 2023
A view of current UK agricultural policies with Andy Mahon, a Dubliner farming in the UK
Andy Mahon, a Dubliner and farm manager of a large farm in the UK, joins Michael Hennessy on the latest Tillage Edge podcast to talk about the UK’s agriculture policy and the frustration it is causing to all farmers.
06 April 2023
The potential of protein crops part 4: The right protein, place and market
In the final episode of the four-part series on the potential of protein crops, this week’s Tillage Edge podcast looks at how a new European project Valpro Path can help develop new supply chains for protein crops.
01 April 2023
June return for Crops and Cultivations event
The major tillage event of the year – Crops and Cover Crop Cultivations, will be held at Teagasc Oak Park, on Wednesday, 21 June.
30 March 2023
Apply for National Liming Programme before April
There is a large demand for lime on tillage farms. From 4,325 soil samples analysed on tillage farms in 2022, 39% of tillage had a soil pH less than 6.5. Ciaran Collins, Teagasc Tillage Specialist, outlines why liming is necessary in this article.
30 March 2023
Tillage advice: Product choices and management of winter crops
The poor weather over the past couple of weeks has resulted in waterlogged soils on most farms. The forecast for the next few days isn't a lot better. Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, offers advice on product selection and the management of winter crops in this article.
23 March 2023
Improving farm efficiency and the environment on Ballymaloe Farm
All tillage farmers can make small changes to reduce the farms environmental impact.
23 March 2023
Make full use of Cattle Slurry
Reducing chemical N use on farms will reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Mark Plunkett, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford, tells us more.
19 March 2023
Setting your fertiliser spreader for Urea
The switch to urea on tillage farms comes with the added risk of uneven spreading and on the latest Tillage Edge podcast, Francis Quigley, a Machinery Specialist in Teagasc, explains fertiliser spreader settings for urea.
16 March 2023
Diversifying into brewing – the story of Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery
David Walsh-Kemmis took over the family farm in 2004 - a multi-generational farm, which has been in his family since the 1630s. At the recent National Malting Barley Conference, he shared his experiences of setting up Ballykilcavan Brewery.
16 March 2023
Urea as an Efficient & Cost Effective Nitrogen Source
With longer days and improving soil temperatures, the demand for applied N is increasing as grass and crop growth takes off, Mark Plunkett, Soil & Plant Nutrition Specialist, tells us more.
16 March 2023
TAMS for Organic Farming
Joe Kelleher, Organic Specialist, tells us; the recent announcement that the opening of the TAMS 3 scheme is imminent has been greatly welcomed by organic farmers and it is great to see the list of eligible investment items that organic farmers can avail of has been greatly increased.
15 March 2023
Higher value from protein crops
The demand for plant protein is increasing exponentially. Globally, the plant protein market is estimated to be worth 17 billion per annum and Irish farmers are well positioned to tap into this developing market. Ciaran Collins, Teagasc Tillage Specialist, explains more.
11 March 2023
Evaluating different establishment systems for malting barley
The Teagasc/Boortmalt joint programme undertook a demonstration to evaluate the performance of different establishment systems in a 2022 malting barley crop.
10 March 2023
The Potential of Protein Crops Part 3: How to increase the value of protein crops
On this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, the third part of a four part series looking at protein crops, we examine if Irish protein crops can be transformed to supply the plant-based protein market with Mark Fenelon and Sinéad Fitzsimons from U Protein.
09 March 2023
Celebrating International Women’s Day – Meet Deirdre Doyle
Today, Wednesday, March 8th, celebrates International Women’s Day – a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
08 March 2023
Do urea-based fertilisers have a role in malting barley?
With high fertiliser prices continuing into early 2023, Dr. Richie Hackett of Teagasc Oak Park outlined the benefits and potential drawbacks of using urea-based fertilisers when growing malting barley.
07 March 2023
Spring sowing: Growers take advantage of good conditions
Drilling of spring crops has begun much earlier, in many parts of the country, than normal in 2023, with conditions as good as those you would normally expect at the end of March, Teagasc Crops Specialist Shay Phelan discusses more in this article.
02 March 2023
How to claim the Eco Scheme in 2023
The Eco Scheme is part of the new CAP 2023-2027 and will make up a significant part of farmers payments this year and on this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Shay Phelan, a Tillage Specialist in Teagasc, outlines the eight measures which farmers can choose from in 2023.
02 March 2023
High yields of malting barley start with the correct seeding rate
Sowing the correct number of seeds/m2 is vital in order to achieve top yields in spring malting barley, Rebecca Bayley, Teagasc/Boortmalt Joint Programme advisor, told delegates at the recent National Malting Barley Conference.
01 March 2023
ITLUS meeting in Oak Park
The spring workshop of the Irish Tillage and Land Use society (ITLUS) took place in Teagasc Oak Park recently. ITLUS president and Teagasc technologist, Deirdre Doyle welcomed tillage growers, agronomists and industry personnel who attended the meeting.
28 February 2023
Tillage advice: Guidance on spring cereal planting
After a small amount of rain in the past week, the weather looks to be relatively dry for the next week to 10 days. Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, offers advice to farmers considering planting in this article.
23 February 2023
Malting Barley Conference returns this week
The Malting Barley Conference, as part of the Teagasc Boortmalt Joint Programme, gives farmers and the industry an insight into the latest research and results from the joint programme activities.
20 February 2023
Nutrient efficiency and the 4 Rs
Mark Plunkett, Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist, outlines the four key aspects that need to be considered to help ensure that nutrients are applied and used efficiently; these are the 4 R’s - right product applied at the right rate, right time and in the right place.
16 February 2023
Buying urea will save thousands of euros on a typical farm
The cost of nitrogen is stubbornly high, but the cost differential between CAN and urea can be exploited to cut costs this year on tillage farms.
16 February 2023