This year we celebrate 10 years of the partnership between the Irish Farmers Journal and Teagasc in bringing you Crops and Technology, and it is set to be the biggest event yet. The event, which takes place every second year, is always a must-see for tillage farmers. The research fields are filled with really interesting and entertaining stands this year, before attendees enter the exhibition arena.

This year over 40 machinery and trade stands will attend. We have the latest technology on show, from spot-spraying green weeds in a growing crop, to using electricity to desiccate potatoes. This year’s technology and machinery demonstration is an exciting one.

Very importantly, the machinery demo will cater for all farm sizes, with affordable sprayers for all and a retrofitted machine will also show you how to upgrade your current sprayer.

Throughout the day you will be able to ask questions and get advice from the experts and enquire about different products or machinery. It is great to see so many different sections of the industry taking part in the event.

No doubt you will meet neighbours and friends and get to discuss the season so far, the machinery on display and have a chat. It is a day for learning, but also a day away from the farm and a day to take a break before the busy harvest season begins. We hope you enjoy the day.

Teagasc looks forward to welcoming you to Oak Park for our Crops Open Day partnership event with the Irish Farmers Journal. The event is bigger and better with more than 50 research stands with trials, machinery demonstrations, hands on displays and so much more.

Dr Ewen Mullins, Head of the Crop Science Department, Teagasc, Oak Park.

You will have the opportunity to calculate the carbon footprint of your farm, walk-through our soil pit and hear about added value opportunities for Irish food and drink products.

Updates from across the Teagasc research programme will include initiatives on spring wheat, fungicide efficacy, bio-based fertilisers and grassweed control.

Additional stands will underline the continued importance of health and safety with pesticides and across the farm; opportunities with Teagasc Education, the work underway at the new Teagasc Climate Centre and the Signpost programme to name a few.

Our priority for the open day is to maximise engagement and research and training demonstrations with attendees. It is important to acknowledge that our research programme would not be possible without the support of the industry, in addition to the external funding we receive through national and European funding initiatives.

On behalf of Teagasc staff and students I hope you enjoy the day and find it productive, as an event that supports your own business/interests. We look forward to seeing you there.