Tillage farmers urged to tap into conferences and technical seminars
Tillage farmers are being encouraged to attend as many conferences, technical seminars and information events as possible prior to field work getting underway in earnest.
Teagasc tillage specialist, Shay Phelan, commented: “There are lots of events taking place taking place at the present time for those farmers involved in crop production.
“The reality is that 2026 is shaping up to be another challenging year for Irish tillage.
“It’s at times like this that growers should be informing themselves of the best options that are available to them as they look to the future."
Last week saw Teagasc kick-off a series of technical tillage seminars, which will be held at venues around the country through to the middle of February.
But the most important event of the year for crop growers will be the 2026 Teagasc annual tillage conference.
It takes place on Wednesday of this week – January 28 – in Kilkenny.
“Effective weed control management against the backdrop of increasing herbicide resistance will be one of the key themes profiled at the conference," Phelan said.
“Last year saw blackgrass added to the list of noxious weeds that are officially recognised in Ireland.
“And, significantly, the Department of Agriculture, Food sand the Marine has already acted on this matter: visiting a number of farms where significant infestations of the weed had been reported.
“In these instances, the destruction of affected crops can be ordered, in order to reduce the threat posed by blackgrass to the tillage sector.”
Director of Teagasc, Prof. Frank O’Mara, will open the conference proceedings.
Teagasc tillage conference
The event will deliver a strong focus on the latest research emanating from the Teagasc Crops Research Centre at Oak Park in Co. Carlow.
Topics addressed will include the role of Barley Yellow Dwarf (BYDV) cereal tolerant varieties in reducing virus transmission; the added value potential of Irish-grown rye for food processing; surveillance and action for fighting clubroot; and decision support for chocolate spot control in beans.
Updates will also be provided on recently approved EU regulations supporting the use of new plant breeding techniques, including gene editing, in variety development.
It is anticipated that Teagasc’s 2026 Crops and Return booklet will be published directly prior to the tillage conference taking place.
However, it has already been well profiled that costs are set to increase significantly on all tillage farms during 2026.
This is particularly so where land rental, machinery, and fertiliser costs are concerned.
