Crops

The many benefits of crop rotation

0 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. As soon as Charles ‘Turnip’ Townshend began practising […]
9 January 2025

Tillage advice: Minimum buffer zones to protect water

0 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. Buffer zones along watercourses help prevent […]
3 January 2025

Nutrient management planning for 2025

Nutrient management planning for 2025 Shay Phelan, Crops Specialist at Teagasc, shares seven things to consider for effective nutrient management planning in 2025. The fertiliser register has been in operation for a year now and it is clear from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) website that there is […]
28 December 2024

Planning for farm succession: Tax implications of farm transfers

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. James talks about the tax exposure […]
26 December 2024

What lies ahead for tillage margins?

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. The forecast for net margins on tillage farms in 2025 is for an increase in margins, […]
26 December 2024

Reviewing yields with Signpost farmer Tom Barry

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. Tillage farming in 2024 was one of the most challenging years; many of us did two years’ work in one, along […]
23 December 2024

The story behind your Christmas potatoes

The story behind your Christmas potatoes Most of the potatoes on Irish tables this Christmas will come from local farms, showcasing the country’s rich agricultural heritage. Shay Phelan explores potato cultivation, popular Christmas varieties, and the thriving local market for this festive staple. Counties such as Meath, Dublin, Louth, Donegal, Cork, and […]
23 December 2024

The Next Generation: Planning for Farm Succession

The Next Generation: Planning for Farm Succession In this first episode of a four-part series on The Tillage Edge, how families can best plan for succession on the farm is explored. James McDonnell, a Farm Management Specialist with Teagasc, discusses the key aspects of family farm succession. This episodes focused on how […]
19 December 2024

Vincent Macken’s reflections after a ‘whirlwind’ year for tillage farming

Vincent Macken’s reflections after a ‘whirlwind’ year for tillage farming Looking back on the whirlwind year that’s been, Signpost tillage farmer, Vincent Macken takes time to reflect on his 2024 farming decisions and crop yields. Harvest 2024 eventually finished for me on October 15 with late spring beans, yielding 2.0t/ac at high […]
16 December 2024

Calculating tillage incomes for 2024

Calculating tillage incomes for 2024 Teagasc Economist, Dr. Fiona Thorne discusses the key findings from the recent Teagasc Outlook 2025 conference on this week’s Tillage Edge. Tillage farm incomes are expected to rebound after the tough year of 2023, with estimates showing a 40% increase in 2024 and further gains in 2025. […]
12 December 2024