Responding to Future Challenges’ theme for National Tillage Conference

This year’s Teagasc National Tillage Conference is set against a background of reduced yields, but higher grain and straw prices in 2018. ‘Responding to Future Challenges’ is the theme of the conference which will take place on Wednesday, 30th January at the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny. The increased uncertainty of Brexit and its potential impact on the sector will also be covered during the day.

‘Responding to Future Challenges’ theme for National Tillage Conference

This year’s Teagasc National Tillage Conference is set against a background of reduced yields, but higher grain and straw prices in 2018. ‘Responding to Future Challenges’ is the theme of the conference which will take place on Wednesday, 30th January at the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny. The increased uncertainty of Brexit and its potential impact on the sector will also be covered during the day.

Speaking in advance of the conference, Head of the Crops Science Department in Teagasc, Dr Ewen Mullins said that the topics covered this year relate to some of the key questions facing growers like: What does the future hold for crop protectants? Can we breed disease and climate resilient crop varieties? What are farmer attitudes to integrated pest management (IPM) and its adoption?

There will also be a session of research snapshots covering; the management of oats, beans and oilseed rape; the continued prevalence of grass weeds; conservation tillage and avoiding soil impaction on the headlands of fields.

Speakers at the conference include Guy Smith, Deputy President of the National Farmers Union and County Wexford tillage farmer John Cullen, the 2018 Tillage Farmer of the Year.

Farmers attending the conference will have the opportunity to learn about on-going tillage projects that Teagasc has underway with both its national and international partners. Posters on the projects will be accessible throughout the day to provide updates for growers and those working in the industry.

The full conference programme is available at https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/national-tillage-conferen.php