Hello, hello and welcome to Season Four of The Sod Pod!
The team at Grassland Agro are delighted to be back for our fourth year.
For 2025 we have changed our format from our original bi-weekly format.
The Podcast will now be Monthly (1st Friday of every month)
And we will video it for our YouTube channel.

On this episode James has a big crowd on his hands.  Edward Healy, John Brennan, Clodagh Bolger, Peter Linden and Stephen Carey.  This is a great listen and many questions farmers have currently are covered here.
Link to Video Version;  https://youtu.be/0Nx2XysNpV4?si=PFx-ZEBBOz6T3FW7

Opening Clip;
The opening clip shows you the Cliffs of Moher as they tower over the rugged west Clare coast.  Their natural beauty has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for generations, as well as absorbing scientists and geologists, drawn by the unique landscape in which they sit.
The Cliffs of Moher, the most famous cliffs in Ireland, will leave you awestruck, creating memories that will stay with you forever. The Cliffs of Moher host major colonies of nesting sea birds and are one of the country’s most important bird-breeding sites. The area has been designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds.

Closing Clip;
The closing clip shows you Glendalough, Co.Wicklow. On the Eastern side of Ireland.  The Glendalough Valley was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age and the two lakes, from which Glendalough gets its name, were formed when the ice eventually thawed. The Valley is home to one of Ireland’s most impressive monastic sites founded by St. Kevin in the 6th Century.

Our Other Social Networks:
The Sod Pod;  https://thesodpod.buzzsprout.com/1944112
Facebook;  https://www.facebook.com/Grasslandagro/
X;  https://x.com/Grasslandagro
Instagram;  https://www.instagram.com/grasslandagro/
LinkedIn;  https://www.linkedin.com/company/grasslandagro/
YouTube;  https://www.youtube.com/@GrasslandAgro.

Grassland Agro, Timac Agro, Groupe Roullier

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

Hello, hello and welcome to Season Four of The Sod Pod!
The team at Grassland Agro are delighted to be back for our fourth year.
For 2025 we have changed our format from our original bi-weekly format.
The Podcast will now be Monthly (1st Friday of every month)
And we will video it for our YouTube channel.

On this episode James has a big crowd on his hands.  Edward Healy, John O'Loughlin, John Brennan, Clodagh Bolger and Peter Linden.  This is a great listen and many questions farmers have currently are covered here.
Link to Video Version;  https://youtu.be/jUwojIPAgbQ

Opening Clip;
The opening clip shows you the Cliffs of Moher as they tower over the rugged west Clare coast.  Their natural beauty has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for generations, as well as absorbing scientists and geologists, drawn by the unique landscape in which they sit.
The Cliffs of Moher, the most famous cliffs in Ireland, will leave you awestruck, creating memories that will stay with you forever. The Cliffs of Moher host major colonies of nesting sea birds and are one of the country’s most important bird-breeding sites. The area has been designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds.

Closing Clip;
The closing clip shows you Glendalough, Co.Wicklow. On the Eastern side of Ireland.  The Glendalough Valley was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age and the two lakes, from which Glendalough gets its name, were formed when the ice eventually thawed. The Valley is home to one of Ireland’s most impressive monastic sites founded by St. Kevin in the 6th Century.

Our Other Social Networks:
The Sod Pod;  https://thesodpod.buzzsprout.com/1944112
Facebook;  https://www.facebook.com/Grasslandagro/
X;  https://x.com/Grasslandagro
Instagram;  https://www.instagram.com/grasslandagro/
LinkedIn;  https://www.linkedin.com/company/grasslandagro/
YouTube;  https://www.youtube.com/@GrasslandAgro.

Grassland Agro, Timac Agro, Groupe Roullier

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode Noel Hamell blackmailed James and Steady Eddie to hit the road and land in St. Brendan's Community Scholl in Birr Co. Offaly.
This is a must listen.

Thank you to each and every one of our listeners throughout season 3.  Roll on Season four.  We can't wait to talk again in February 2025

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode, James and Ed sit down with Tommy Heffernan.  Tommy the Vet talks about what he sees in farming today and his views about the future of farming. A detailed conversation not to be missed

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode James is joined with John, Ed and Sean to discuss winter housing and being as prepared as possible for this tricky time that creeps up on farming.  The discuss fodder quality and quantity, dosing, cubicle prep and and body condition scoring.

Have a listen!

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this Episode James, John and Ed talked about our time at the ploughing championships.  And so many fond take aways from it.

Also, on What's in The News the talk about trailers and car licences.

What's In The News;
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/can-you-tow-a-livestock-trailer-on-a-category-b-licence/

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode James and Ed are joined by Sophie Tyner, a Regional Manager with Grassland Agro and John Brennan a member of our Technical and Sustainability Team.
The excitement is building for the 93rd Annual National Ploughing Championships.  Grassland Agro do not have one stand at the ploughing, they have TWO.
The lads chat about what you can expect from these stands, who will be on them and things they love about ploughing

What's in the News;
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/details-announced-for-in-person-scep-training-events/

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode John O'Loughlin headed off down to Moorepark and had a sit down and cup of tea with John Maher who heads up the Grass 10 with Teagasc.  The covered every corner of the country discussing the different Grass 10 winners.

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode James, John and Ed talk about NBPT protected urea and of course Clares Famous hurling all Ireland Victory.  What are some of the factors impacting growth rates this year and things to look out for as the season progresses.

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode Ed and John are joined by latest Grassland Agro Team member Peter Linden.  The three lads caught up with Joe Dunphy from Teagasc and they discussed grass growth and weather.

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this Episode John Ed and Sean caught up and discussed the on going fodder shortage and some useful calculators to help you work our you potential shortage.
They also had a quick chat about The Teagasc Johnstown Castle Open Day and some of the items on display and discussed.

And on a final note; best wishes to Clare and Cork in The All-Ireland Hurling Final

LINK; https://interactive.teagasc.ie/open/feedchecker

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode John, Ed and Sean had a heavy conversation on data and fertiliser allowances.  A tough mind field of data but they have done a great job of simplifying it as best they can to give you a clearer picture.
And then for what's in the news they cover the Teagasc Grass 10 farm walks.

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode James sat down with John and Ed to discuss, growth rates, fertiliser strategy, the clover struggles this year due to the unusual weather conditions and what the next phase of the Grassland Agro Soil Sustainability Programme entails.  They also covered the recent announcement from the EU in relation to the Nature Restoration Proposal

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode the team from Grassland Agro were welcomed down to Teagasc Research Centre in Johnstown Castle County Wexford.
John and Ed grabbed the gear and collared a fist of the Teagasc experts there on the day to talk about farming.  They first nabbed David Wall and Edmond Casey, followed by Mark Plunkett and Mossy McCarthy.
Then for this episodes what's in the News James and Sean McMahon had a chat about the article in Agriland about the Grassland Agro Mineral Block Range;
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/mineral-range-provides-free-supplements-to-dairy-and-suckler-cows/

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode John grabbed the gear and headed off to meet Deirdre O'Shea from AON.  Deirdre works in their Food Agri and beverage division.

Link to What's in the News Article;
https://www3.farmersjournal.ie/agribusiness/news/food-price-inflation-changed-consumer-buying-behaviour-818230

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode James and Steady Eddie are joined by Marcus O'Halloran from Agri Aware.  Marcus from Tipperary talks about his own farm enterprise and the role that Agri Aware take in educating the Irish Public about farming to give those out side the community a greater understanding of the role farming takes in society.

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode John and Ed caught up with two people from Teagasc, Caitlin Looney and Joseph Dunphy.  The had a detailed discussion on the impacts of clover and how to utilise it.  They also discussed the two weeks of Teagasc Clover walks held up and down the country which was the followed by Clover week.

#CloverWeek
#BeleafinClover

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode John and Ed caught up with Siobhan Walsh, Tillage Editor with The Irish Farmers Journal.  The discuss the issues currently facing and tillage and some situations that might help alleviate these pressures a bit.

Link to The Tillage Podcast with Siobhan Walsh;
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UYV2Cj3Daqo8gzE14LTga?si=1abb3fdfa771426b

What's in The News;
https://www.farmersjournal.ie/tillage/news/april-beans-the-big-planting-question-812508

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode John, Ed, Lauren and Eoin caught up and had a chat about the current situation in farming and what to look out for.

They also covered The Grass 10 news letter in what's in the news

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

Wishing all our listeners a very happy St. Patricks Day.  This episode is a little different.  Firstly John caught up with the Team in Bee Media, Kevin and Abby.  They talked about social media and content creation.
Then James covered whats in the news.
The article came from Agriland this week;
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/over-360000-passports-issued-from-genotyping-programme/

An update on The National Genotyping Programme by the ICBF.
https://www.icbf.com/national-genotyping-programme/

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode James Freeman sits down with Edward Healy and John O'Loughlin to have a detailed chat with Mike Egan, Research Officer for Grassland, in Teagasc Moorepark.
Mike gives a master class on clover, its impact and how to incorporate it in your sward.

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode Ed and John recorded a tillage special with Shay Phelan.  Shay is a Tillage and Potato Crop Specialist with Teagasc based in Oakpark Research Centre Co. Carlow.

Whats in the News!
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/tillage-how-to-make-best-use-of-glyphosate/

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

On this episode James caught up with John, Ed and Eoin and they had a chat about the growing season ahead.  This chat was heavily focused on The Spring Rotation Planner.

Also, here is the link to the What's in the News section;
https://www.farmersjournal.ie/dairy/grass-and-feeding/meet-the-sustainable-grassland-farmer-of-the-year-finalists-800015

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

Hello, Hello!
We are back for season three of The Sod Pod!  James was joined by John and Lauren and they discussed the new range of protected fertilisers by Grassland Agro.
Also please find the link to the article dicussed in the new section added to season three; What's In The News!

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/dairy-farmers-in-derogation-secure-concessions-801305

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/

Hello, hello and welcome to the season finale of The Sod Pod!
A huge thank you to each and everyone of you, our listeners.
James caught up with Edward, Lauren and Eoin and they reviewed the season of The Sod Pod.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

The Sod Pod; https://ie.timacagro.com/podcast-the-sod-pod/