New Tillage Technology on Show
Issued 7th June, 2002
The technology critical to the future of Irish tillage farming will be on show at a national open day at the Teagasc Tillage Research Centre, Oak Park, Carlow on Thursday, 20 June from 2.00pm to 7.30pm.
Announcing details of the event, Dr Jim Burke, Head of Oak Park Research Centre, said technology and highly skilled growers have resulted in Irish wheat and barley yields being the highest in the EU.
''Irish growers are out-yielding those in Europe's most famous tillage areas such as East Anglia and the Paris Basin. However, with weather and market issues focusing growers' minds on diminishing margins, the need to be updated on the latest technology is paramount'', he said.
The open day will enable tillage growers to see the latest research on all aspects of wheat and barley growing. Results of new research on reduced cultivations and new methods to control disease will be among the issues highlighted.
There will be many items of interest to sugar beet and potato growers. The latest innovations from the successful Oak Park potato and grass breeding programmes will also be displayed.
Results of Teagasc research on whole crop wheat and maize will be of interest to both tillage and livestock farmers, with crop production and animal nutrition experts available to deal with questions.
Visitors to the open day will also be introduced to the new scientists who have joined the Oak Park biotechnology research team. The potential impact of this new science on the future of tillage growing will be outlined.
