National Tillage Conference 2026 Presentations
The National Tillage Conference 2026 took place on Wednesday, 28 January, 2026.
By Teagasc
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 conference presentations below
Session One: Sector competitiveness in a global market
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
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
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: Workshops
Disease control decisions for 2026
Weed Clinic
Competitiveness v. Sustainability, mapping a way forward
NGTs, where are we going and what can we now expect?