Crops
Controlling disease in winter barley
Controlling disease in winter barley The area of winter barley planted for the 2025 season is significantly higher than in 2024, thanks to favourable sowing conditions last autumn. Ciaran Collins and Stephen Kildea tell us why effective disease management will be crucial in achieving target yields. Crop establishment has been excellent, with […]
27 March 2025
Advancements to maximise the value of nutrients in slurry for cereal crops
Advancements to maximise the value of nutrients in slurry for cereal crops John Mahon, Teagasc Signpost Tillage Advisor, tells us about how advancements in machinery technology have improved management of slurry application to cereal crops allowing optimisation of nutrient recovery and lower chemical fertiliser costs. Many Irish tillage farmers have recognised the […]
24 March 2025
Pig slurry in tillage – a natural boost for soil & crops
Pig slurry in tillage – a natural boost for soil & crops We explore the benefits of using pig slurry as an alternative to chemical fertilisers in tillage farming on the latest Tillage Edge podcast. Michael McKeon, Teagasc pig specialist, and Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist, discuss how to target the use […]
20 March 2025
Crops and Technology Open Day planned for June
Crops and Technology Open Day planned for June A major Crops and Technology open day is planned for Wednesday, 25th June at the Teagasc Crops Research centre in Oak Park, Carlow. The event will cover the latest research on all the main tillage crops and horticultural field crops. It will also include […]
18 March 2025
70% reduction in spring barley fertiliser costs possible with pig slurry
70% reduction in spring barley fertiliser costs possible with pig slurry Tillage farmers looking to reduce costs this spring should give serious consideration to including pig slurry in the fertiliser programmes for their crops. A valuable source of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and other trace elements, 1,000 gallons of good […]
13 March 2025
On-farm trials: Turning research into results
On-farm trials: Turning research into results On-farm experimentation or trials come naturally to some farmers, while others see them as a hassle or someone else’s responsibility. On this week’s Tillage Edge, Jack Jameson, a Teagasc Researcher, and John Pettit, a Teagasc Tillage Advisor working in the southeast, discuss how farmers can set […]
13 March 2025
Getting spring crops off to the best start
Getting spring crops off to the best start Crops Specialist, Shay Phelan offers key tips on establishing spring crops, highlighting the importance of thousand grain weight and seed drill calibration. He also looks at the critical management tasks for winter crops over the next week or two. Spring sowing Most growers are […]
13 March 2025
Spring sowing: Mind the soil
Spring sowing: Mind the soil Mid-march is an ideal time for sowing most crops, so the current dry spell is giving an opportunity to get work done. Dermot Forristal, Teagasc Oak Park, shares key tips on protecting the soil and avoiding the risk of soil structure damage. We must not be complacent […]
13 March 2025
Integrating old ideas with new technology
0 Integrating old ideas with new technology This week on the Tillage Edge, we catch up with John Crowley, a Signpost tillage farmer from Wexford, to discuss his farming system. Located in the heart of malting barley country, John is dedicated to producing high-spec malting barley each year. Despite transitioning to a min-till […]
7 March 2025
Time of Beans
0 Time of Beans The recent dry weather has provided an opportunity for tillage farmers to begin preparing land for sowing spring beans. Ciaran Collins notes that many farmers, mindful of last year’s delayed harvest, are making a conscious effort to get crops in the ground earlier this season. In 2024, the area […]
6 March 2025