Teagasc’s tillage roadshow on tour

A SERIES of four Teagasc workshops on the best techniques and strategies to protect against disease and pests in crops will be held next week.

An effective disease control strategy for tillage crops will now be more valuable than ever, given the positive market outlook for cereals this year.

The new cross- compliance rules will be outlined, details of records required and product storage facilities needed, and information on inspections will also be given to farmers who attend.

“Latest spraying technology will be presented,” said a Teagasc statement. “Spraying done well and at the correct time will yield excellent returns for both money and time invested in crop protection.

“Plant protection products are the single biggest materials input and require planning and close attention to detail on choice of strategies and products to optimise the benefits.

“Teagasc will provide impartial advice at these events to guide farmers and the trade on important developments before the season begins,” it said.

Growers will be brought up to date on technology developments from research in Britain, using low volume spraying.

The workshops, all running from 2.30 to 4.30pm, are on Monday at Teagasc Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, Carlow, then Teagasc Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny (Tuesday), and on Wednesday at the farms of Anthony Collins, Garranjames, (Mogeely) Killeagh, Co Cork and John McGuinness, Mount Hanover, Duleek, Co Meath.