Upcoming Events
Spring Tillage Seminars 2026
With tillage farmers entering another uncertain year in 2026, the Teagasc Spring Crop Seminars hope to address many of the main issues that the industry is facing.
Topics for discussion will include:
- Crop choices for the upcoming season
- Getting most from the key inputs
- The challenge of herbicide resistance to different weeds and
- Maximising profitability in a difficult market
See dates and venues below
Friday, 30 January | 11am | Waterford
Park Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Eircode: X35 CC97
Tuesday, 3 February | 11am | Louth
Teagasc Office, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Eircode: A91 PVW4
Tuesday, 3 February | 7:30pm | Laois
Teagasc Office, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Eircode: R32 CF21
Wednesday, 4 February | 7:30pm | Meath
Teagasc Office, Navan, Co. Meath. Eircode: C15 NR79
Wednesday, 4 February | 7:30pm | Kilkenny
Teagasc Office, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny. Eircode: R95 RX30
Tuesday, 10 February | 7:30pm | Offaly
Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Eircode: R35 D406
Thursday, 19 February | 7:30pm | Donegal
An Grianán Hotel, Burt, Co. Donegal. Eircode: F93 YA0P
National Tillage Conference 2026
The National Tillage Conference 2026 took on Wednesday, 28 January in the Lyrath Convention Centre, Kilkenny, R95 F685. While strong yields were delivered in 2025, this did not result in strong returns, adding further pressure on the sector. Against this backdrop, the conference included a specific session and afternoon workshop on the issue of Competitiveness & Sustainability, providing opportunity for engagement on the key drivers of internal and external competitiveness that will influence the sector through 2026.
View the National Tillage Conference 2026 Presentations
We continue with our Research Snapshot session through the morning, with results highlighting the (i) role of BYDV tolerant varieties in reducing virus transmission (ii) added value potential of rye for food processing, (iii) identification of latent diseases that could challenge novel crops (iv) an important initiative on clubroot surveillance and action (v) decision support for chocolate spot control in beans as well as an update on the recently approved regulation to support the use of new breeding techniques such as editing in variety development.
The final session of the morning and corresponding afternoon workshop on grassweeds will include in-depth efficacy analyses of residual herbicides, new insight on the dynamics of blackgrass populations relative to EU populations plus invaluable insights from guest speakers from the UK, highlighting lessons learnt regarding key on-farm actions.
Conference Agenda
Session One: Sector competitiveness in a global market
Session Chair: John Spink, Head of Environment, Crops and Land Use Programme, Teagasc
The dynamics of trade and impact on competitiveness
Dr. Roel Jongeneel, Wageningen Economic Research, Wageningen University and Research
Tools to gauge competitiveness within the Irish tillage sector?
Dr. Fiona Thorne, Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department, Teagasc
Session Two: Research Snapshots highlighting current & upcoming research outcomes
Session Chair: Dr. Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Science Department, Teagasc
Validating the use of tolerant winter barley varieties to manage BYDV in Ireland
Jack Perry, Teagasc Walsh Scholar
Higher value potential of Irish grown rye?
Sinead Dermody, Teagasc Walsh Scholar
Profiling fungicide sensitivity of chocolate spot
Dr. Steven Kildea, Teagasc, Oak Park
Defending Irish Crops Against the Threat of Plant Viruses
Marta Niedzicka, Marie Curie Fellow
Surveillance and Action for Fighting Clubroot
Jack Jameson, Teagasc, Oak Park
How good is the news from Europe on NGT breeding?
Dr. Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Science Department, Teagasc
Session Three: Rising threat from blackgrass: Research Insights plus lessons to be learnt
Session Chair: Ciaran Collins, Teagasc Crops Specialist
New cases and origin of resistant weeds
Dr Vijaya Bhaskar and Charlotte Morgan, Teagasc Oak Park
What are the important things we can learn from the UK’s experience with herbicide resistant grass weeds?
John Cussans, Weed Biology and Management Specialist, ADAS
Blackgrass and grassweed control – A grower’s view
Adrian Joynt, retired Apley Farms Manager, Bridgnorth Shropshire
Session Four: Interactive Workshops
Workshop topics:
- Workshop One – Disease control decisions for 2026
- Workshop Two – Weed Clinic
- Workshop Three – Competitiveness v. Sustainability, mapping a way forward
- Workshop Four – NGTs, where are we going and what can we now expect?
Workshop One – Disease control decisions for 2026 (McCurdy 3)
This workshop will detail the findings reported on chocolate spot in the morning session, as well as yellow rust and septoria control in winter wheat. Panellists will also discuss key timings and fungicide programmes to protect yield potential in barley crops this year.
Chair: John Pettit (Teagasc)
Panel: Steven Kildea (Teagasc), Conor Callaghan (Teagasc), Michael McCarthy (Teagasc), Louise McNamara (Teagasc), David Kehoe (Farmer)
Workshop Two – Weed Clinic (McCurdy 2)
This workshop will expand on the research and insights presented in the morning session. The workshop will provide an opportunity to query and discuss in detail the lessons learned in the UK; key to updating integrated weed management strategies for the tillage sector. It will also include in-depth efficacy analyses of residual herbicides on grass weeds with different sensitivity status, covering both currently available chemistries in Ireland and those that may become available in the future.
Chair: Shay Phelan (Teagasc)
Panel: Vijaya Bhaskar (Teagasc), Adrian Joynt (UK), John Cussans (ADAS), Charlotte Morgan (Walsh Scholar)
Workshop Three – Competitiveness v. Sustainability, mapping a way forward (McCurdy 3)
The workshop will explore in more detail the content presented in the opening session of the conference, providing opportunity for engagement and discussion of the key drivers of internal and external competitiveness that will influence the sector through 2026.
Chair: Kevin Hanrahan (Teagasc)
Panel: Roel Jongeneel (WUR), Fiona Thorne (Teagasc), John Mahon (Teagasc)
Workshop Four – NGTs, where are we going and what can we now expect? (Maginness Rooms)
The workshop will delve in more detail into the developments at EU level about the use and practical implications of the new regulation for new breeding techniques. Can editing make a difference? What will it mean for the sector and what are the targets breeders should focus on that NGTs can help with?
Chair: Michael Hennessy (Teagasc)
Panel: Cara MacAodhain (DAFM), John Dunne (GoldCrop), Tim O’Donovan (Seedtech) Denis Griffin and Ewen Mullins (Teagasc)
4:15pm
Conference close
Previous Events
View information on previous events including recordings, presentations and publications.
National Tillage Conference 2025
The annual National Tillage Conference took place on Wednesday, 29 January in the Lyrath Conference Centre, Paulstown Road, Kilkenny. The conference was an in-person event in a new interactive format, providing updates and outputs from the latest research at Oak Park.
Conference Presentations
- How much carbon does tillage soil have and measures to enhance – Dr. Guilia Bondi, Teagasc
- Crop establishment systems at Knockbeg past and future role for sustainable production– Dermot Forristal, Teagasc
- Update on cover cropping in the Agricultural Catchments Programme and impact of Farming for Water EIP measure– Dr. Bridget Lynch, Teagasc
- Intercropping pea and beans to support pea production – lessons learnt from 2024 trials – Dr. Sheila Alves, Teagasc
- Novel food applications for peas and beans bread and beyond – Dr. Eimear Gallagher, Teagasc
- Decreasing mycotoxin load in food grade oats – Diana Bucur, Teagasc
- What does the global literature tell us on the impact of pesticide reduction – Meghan England, Teagasc
- What do the experts think the impact of pesticide reduction in Ireland will be – Robert McDougall, Teagasc
- The Pesticide Regulatory Prospective – AnneMarie Dillon, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM)
- Workshop One – On-farm field evaluations to support production
- Workshop Two – Weed Clinic
- Workshop Three – Environmental credentials of tillage sector and role of AgNav
- Workshop Four – Disease control decisions for 2025… and beyond
Crops Forum 2024
The 2024 crops forum took place on September 11
Presentations
- Winter Cereal Varieties – Cara Mac Aodháin, Cereal Variety Testing Division, DAFM
- Rotations and risks – getting it right for your farm – Ciaran Collins, Teagasc Crops Specialist
- Early planting of winter barley – the risks for maximising yield potential – Dr Richie Hackett, Teagasc Crops Researcher
- Soil assessment and damage repair – Veronica Nyhan, Teagasc Soil Specialist
- Soil Drainage on Mineral Tillage Soils – Cathal Somers, Teagasc Water Quality Specialist
- Tillage farming and Water Quality– Eoghan O’Brien, Teagasc ASSAP Advisor
National Tillage Conference 2024
The annual National Tillage Conference took place on Wednesday, 31st January in the Lyrath Conference Centre, Paulstown Road, Kilkenny. The conference was an in-person event in a new interactive format, providing updates and outputs from the latest research at Oak Park.
Conference Presentations
- Winter Planting Survey
Michael Hennessy (Teagasc) - Replanting Winter Cereal Crops
Shay Phelan (Teagasc) - Rotations Scenarios for 2024
Dermot Forristal (Teagasc) - Trade-offs of crop establishment techniques
Jack Jameson, Teagasc Walsh Scholar - The Growing Poppy Problem
Charlotte Morgan, Teagasc Walsh Scholar - Barley Seed Health and related IPM issues
Steven Kildea, Teagasc Oak Park - Building opportunities for oats
Atikur Rahman, Teagasc Oak Park - Plant Processing and valorization opportunities gaining ground
Mark Fenelon, Teagasc Moorepark - Carbon footprint of the tillage sector
John Spink, Teagasc Oak Park - Domestic cereals can support a diverse drinks industry
Sinead Morris, SETU and Lisa Ryan, Teagasc Oak Park
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)
Crops Forum 2023
The National Crops Forum 2023 took place on Friday, 8 September in the Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 DC98.
Session One – Planning the season ahead with new varieties, agronomy for 2023 and where integrated pest management is essential for the future
Chaired by Dr Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Science Department, Teagasc
- Varieties for 2023
DAFM – Cereal variety testing division - External IPM works
IPM Works - Agronomy decisions 2023 – how to make the IPM works into practical action
Shay Phelan, Tillage Specialist, Teagasc - Questions and answers session
Session Two – Climate change goals and building carbon stocks on tillage farms
Chaired by Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc
- New MACC 2023
Gary Lanigan, Researcher, Teagasc - Signpost Programme
John Mahon, Teagasc Signpost Tillage Advisor - Signpost Programme Participant
Darren Allen, Cork tillage farmer - Questions and answers session
Session 3 – Tillage Forum
Mapping out a path for the tillage industry for the next 5 years
Speakers Matt Dempsey, Chair of the Food Vision Group, representatives from industry stakeholders including IFA, IGG, IFAC, Teagasc, FTMTA