Tillage technology to go on show

TECHNOLOGY required by tillage farmers in order to prosper under the new EU policy regime will be demonstrated by Teagasc at an open day at Oak Park Research Centre in Carlow on Wednesday next.

The open day will feature the results of the comprehensive tillage research programme carried out by Teagasc at Oak Park.

Dr Jimmy Burke, Head of Oak Park Research Centre, said the dramatic changes in the EU farm payments system which come into effect next January create challenges and opportunities for tillage farmers.

“The open day will provide the ideal forum to get full information on how the new decoupled payments will operate and how farmers must adapt their production system in order to protect their income,” said Dr Burke.

“Visitors will be presented with the latest production blueprints for all tillage crops.

“They will also get the latest research information on the emerging resistance of some cereal diseases to the newer fungicides.”

Dr Burke said new information will also be unveiled on low cost production systems, which will be critical for profitable tillage farming.

The outcome of innovative research work on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will also be revealed and farmers will hear about the effect of different cropping systems and cultivation methods on emissions from crops.

The new Teagasc plant biotechnology programme will also be featured and the potential of the new science for the production of higher quality and lower cost crops will be explained.