The Tillage Edge

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