Getting an international perspective can help put current grain-market conditions into context — and for this episode of The Tillage Edge, Brian Caldbeck, an Irish grower who runs Rubisco Seeds in Kentucky, USA, joins the show to discuss what he’s seeing across the U.S. crop landscape.

Locally in Kentucky wheat yields are good, but recent rains may have created quality concerns, while further west severe drought has significantly reduced production and many fields were used for forage rather than grain production.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Don Somers, a tillage farmer from Wexford, and the overall winner of the Environmental Sustainability award in 2025, joins The Tillage Edge, along with John Mahon, his Signpost Farm advisor, to preview the open evening at Don’s farm on June 17th.

The event is targeted at farmers, non-farmers and young people to showcase sustainable practices on tillage farms.  

Don is particularly keen to show people that a commercial tillage farm can work hand in hand with the surrounding environment.  

Further details of the event and registration are at:

https://teagasc.ie/event/a-somers-evening-farm-walk/

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Dubliner Andy Mahon, who is farm manager of the Bromborough Estate in Northamptonshire, UK, discusses crop conditions, how the business is coping with the difficult weather, grass-weed pressure and recent changes to farm support.

Andy also outlines his blackgrass strategy — from planning and growing crops in fields with low blackgrass population, to targeted herbicide use and post-emergence controls — and is candid about the challenge, saying that despite persistent efforts it remains hard to get the weed fully under control.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

North Kildare farmer, Phillip Harris, and Teagasc advisor, John Brophy, discuss crop progress and management challenges on this week’s Tillage Edge. 

Phillip describes the adjustments he’s made since changing to strip till establishment, plus a strict containment plan for grass weeds involving crop burn off, fallow and rigorous hand rouging.  Phillip recommends herbicide testing for resistance in the identified weeds.

John warns that many spring crops face moisture stress and urges caution with herbicide applications, especially tank mixes or spraying marginal crops. 

For more on weed testing for herbicide resistance go to:

https://teagasc.ie/crops/crops/grass-weeds/dealing-with-a-grass-weed-problem/herbicide-resistance/

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

We re-join the conversation with Jim McCarthy, who farms an extensive holding in north-eastern Romania, as Jim walks us through recent changes on the farm, most notably his move away from the big-name manufacturers toward more affordable South American machinery to reduce costs.

He also discusses the wider crisis facing Romanian agriculture after three severe droughts: bankruptcies among local suppliers, a tightening of credit for farmers, and many crops that have not yet received fertiliser this season.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Michael McCarthy, a Teagasc tillage advisor, and Tom Barry, a farmer near Mallow, Cork, discuss how crops in their area are progressing. 

This spring brought three distinct planting windows and Michael is concerned about the later two as emergence is only ok and there is visible damage on the headlands, so those fields will need close monitoring.

Tom reports his winter crops are looking well and he’s up to date with fertiliser and spraying operations. 

He’s used organic slurries for several years and says the improved soil resilience is helping crops cope in a challenging season.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Jim McCarthy, who is farming a large tract of land in Romania, joins this week’s Tillage Edge to talk about the progress on his farm over the past few months.  

Jim talks about the changes in establishment system and how this is helping maintain yields by trapping more moisture and allowing him to reduce fertiliser inputs.  

However, Jim remains cautious about the outlook for prices and expresses concern about overall costs rising and eroding profitability of the sector.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Weed control is becoming more difficult with herbicide resistance of one or more weeds now on most farms.  For this episode of The Tillage Edge, Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, Tillage Specialists at Teagasc, explain how to get good weed control in spring cereals, even where resistance is an issue. 

Shay says that sequencing weed control around wild oats can be effective in ensuring good control of all weeds while Ciaran says that tank mixing of a number of products in the same tank is possible, with some care, but he emphasises a strong growing plant is key to minimising damage to the plant. 

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Dr. Louise McNamara, a researcher with Teagasc, is on this week’s Tillage Edge to talk about the threat posed by aphids and, consequently, BYDV this season. 

Louise explains that the thresholds, or triggers for action, are similar to previous years, although ongoing research is expected to refine these in the future.

She highlights that crops emerging after mid-April are at greatest risk, while noting that location can also play an important role. 

Aphicide resistance is an important consideration, but pyrethroid insecticides are still providing effective control.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Last month Teagasc published sector roadmaps, including the Tillage Roadmap 2030, which sets production and sustainability targets and outlines changes needed to advance the sector. 

Achieving these ambitions will be challenging but vital. 

In this episode, John Spink, Head of the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme at Teagasc, and Dr Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Research, join us to explain the roadmap’s priorities, practical measures for farmers, and how research, industry and policy must align to deliver that vision.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Nitrogen is arguably the most important input in agriculture, and applying the right amount in the right place is essential to maximising return on investment.  

Dr Richie Hackett, a researcher with Teagasc, joins the podcast to discuss how farmers can get the best from their nitrogen inputs.

Richie explains that liquid nitrogen can be just as effective as solid nitrogen sources. Preliminary trial results also indicate that applying melted urea to cereals performs as well as applying urea in its solid form.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com