Crops
The Future of Crop Protection: Is Europe Falling Behind?
Olivier de Matos, Director General CropLife Europe (CLE), which is a group in the EU who lobby on behalf of chemical companies, joins this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss the latest EU legislation and proposals around the safe use of chemistry in agriculture.
23 October 2026
Autumn disease control in winter oilseed rape
The area of winter oilseed rape has increased significantly this season. Early sowing, available soil mineral nitrogen and good responses to organic manures have resulted in large canopies in many fields. While crops are well established, it is important to monitor for light leaf spot and phoma stem canker this autumn. Ciaran Collins tells us more.
22 October 2026
Could heritage barley varieties offer new qualities for today?
Preserved in Ireland’s national seed bank, historical barley varieties may hold great potential for today’s brewing, distilling and food production. Teagasc-led research has been assessing whether such heritage varieties can offer “new” qualities for contemporary markets.
22 October 2026
Tillage Edge: Oak Park farm autumn planning is on track
Brendan Burke, Farm Manager of the Teagasc Oak Park research farm in Carlow, joins Michael Hennessy on this episode of the Tillage Edge podcast to review the season to date.
15 October 2026
Well sown is half grown, but measure to make it count
A well-established crop provides the best platform for achieving maximum yields next harvest, Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, Michael Hennessy discusses the importance of seeding rate, measuring emergence and tracking establishment rates to allow growers make better informed decisions year after year.
15 October 2026
Signpost update: Monitoring rising costs and adapting to more extreme climates
Tom Barry, a Signpost Programme Tillage farmer, writes on the latest happenings from his farm in Co. Cork, focusing on harvest reflections, crop establishments, the role of cover crops and how his farm is adapting to a changing climate.
15 October 2026
Tillage Edge: Better weed control begins before emergence
On this week’s episode of the Tillage Edge podcast, Teagasc Crop Specialists, Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan discuss the critical role of pre-emergence herbicides in managing both grass and broadleaf weeds.
8 October 2026
Potassium: Should all of it be applied in autumn?
Potassium may receive less attention than nitrogen, but cereals have a substantial requirement for it, Teagasc Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist, Dr. Veronica Nyhan explains why it needs a little more thought in autumn.
8 October 2026
Teagasc launches Farm Enterprise Factsheets and Farm Survey Final Results
Teagasc has published its National Farm Survey (NFS) Farm Enterprise Factsheets for 2025, providing a clear picture of the financial and technical performance of a range of farm enterprises in Ireland last year.
5 October 2026
Farm Succession: Starting the Conversation
On this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Michael Hennessy is joined by James McDonnell, Teagasc Farm Management Specialist, to discuss the key steps involved in transferring the family farm to the next generation.
1 October 2026