Best Hennessy Report Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 106 — Charu Manocha — SmartEquine 55:21

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8d ago55:21

55:21

Dave Hennessy is joined by Charu Manocha, CHRO at SmartEquine, on this episode of The Hennessy Report Podcast, by Keystone Partners. Charu shares how she built workforce agility during major organizational change. Key insights: HR rotations that develop business-savvy leaders Team performance models that actually work Managing multi-generational wo…

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The Soil Cycle Project & getting the best from organic manures 16:03

6d ago16:03

16:03

Ciaran Collins, a Teagasc Tillage Specialist, explains the new Soil Cycle project and its goal of developing practical guidance for farmers on using organic manures on winter crops in the spring. The project centres on farmers and contractors, and Ciaran is currently recruiting participants. If you’re interested, you can contact him at Ciaran.Colli…

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Varieties for 2026 – a report from Goldcrop’s open day 18:37

13d ago18:37

18:37

In the first of two episodes covering seed company open days held earlier this year, John Dunne from Goldcrop discusses the selection of varieties available this season. He highlights several new winter wheat varieties with improved disease resistance, and also touches on winter barley and rye during the conversation. For more episodes and informat…

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Is oilseed rape for 2026 a safer bet than cereals? 26:06

19d ago26:06

26:06

Phelim McDonald, Teagasc's tillage advisor in the Carlow–Wexford region, and Shay Phelan, Teagasc tillage specialist, are on this week’s Tillage Edge to talk about oilseed rape planting for 2026. Shay explains why oilseed rape offers a safer financial margin than cereals, thanks to its relatively stable price and consistent yield. Phelim discusses …

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Harvest 2025 – some record yields reported 19:42

26d ago19:42

19:42

To find out about the harvest progress across the country, Michael Hennessy talks with John Brophy, Teagasc tillage advisor in north Kildare, and Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist. They share yield updates for winter barley, wheat, oats, and oilseed rape, and discuss early results for spring barley. The conversation also covers how this ye…

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Investing in the Future: Choosing the Right Combine for Your Farm 18:53

1M ago18:53

18:53

In this follow-up episode on combines, Michael Hennessy continues his conversation with Dermot Forristal, a researcher in Teagasc, exploring the practical decisions farmers face when upgrading or maintaining a combine. They discuss the cost-benefit of new technology, ownership models, and how tools like yield mapping and RTK autosteer can support b…

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From thrashers to tech – the evolution of combines over the past 60 years 21:23

1M ago21:23

21:23

Dermot Forristal from Teagasc Oak Park, explores how combine harvesters have evolved over the past 60 years on this week’s Tillage Edge. From mechanical threshers to GPS-enabled machines, Dermot shares insights on key developments, the impact of farm size, and underused technologies that could boost efficiency. This is part one of a two-part series…

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Harvest 2025 Update 20:49

2M ago20:49

20:49

Teagasc Tillage Specialists, Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, discuss the harvest so far on this week’s Tillage Edge. They discuss how, to date, winter barley yields have been above the five-year average. However, Shay also highlights that some varieties have not performed as well as others. Ciaran emphasises the importance of managing stubbles — bo…

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What’s behind Ireland’s Grain Quality Assurance? 15:40

2M ago15:40

15:40

Tom Kelly, Scheme Manager of the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme, joins us on this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss how Irish grain meets high quality standards. We explore the key elements of the scheme, its role in ensuring traceability and market confidence, and what it means for farmers on the ground. Tom also outlines new requirements around traile…

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Tillage AgNav tool, growing winter rye and tackling wheat diseases – highlights from the Oak Park Open Day part 2 21:08

2M ago21:08

21:08

We continue our coverage from the recent Teagasc Crops and Technology Open Day in Oak Park, Carlow. Michael Hennessy speaks with John Spink about the launch of the Tillage AgNav programme which is an important new decision support tool for Irish tillage farmers. Richie Hackett shares advice on growing winter rye, a crop gaining popularity in recent…

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Highlights from the Oak Park Open Day 18:41

2M ago18:41

18:41

For this week’s Tillage Edge, we bring you highlights from the Teagasc Crops & Technology Open Day in Oak Park, Carlow. Michael Hennessy chats with Dr. Ewen Mullins about the event and farmer feedback, Veronica Nyhan gives a tour of the soil pit, and Jack Jameson discusses his wheat variety trials. Packed with practical insights and research update…

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Episode 105 — Janine Taylor — Advocates 47:07

2M ago47:07

47:07

On this episode of #TheHennessyReport David Hennessy is joined by Janine Taylor, CHRO of Advocates. From learning to "listen first" as a young HR professional to leading 2,700 employees who serve 40,000 individuals with disabilities and life challenges - Janine's journey shows why supporting the supporters matters.🔥 Key Takeaways:✅ Early wage acces…

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Oak Park Open Day promises to be a great event 15:53

3M ago15:53

15:53

The Teagasc Crops and Technology Open Day is taking place next week in Oak Park and on this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Dr Ewen Mullins, Head of Crops Research, and Dermot Forristal, Crops Researcher in Teagasc, preview the event. As Ewen explains, it will take people most of the day to get through the full array of research and agronomy stands, c…

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The Evolution of Sprayer Technology - Part 2 12:51

3M ago12:51

12:51

Sprayer technology has advanced significantly over the past decade, yet the core principle remains the same: delivering the correct spray quality and rate to the target area. For this week’s Tillage Edge podcast - the second of a two-part series with Dermot Forristal, a researcher with Teagasc - Dermot discusses the latest developments in sprayer t…

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US farmers are behind on plantings 20:20

3M ago20:20

20:20

The grain harvest in the United States has a significant impact on global markets - and directly influences harvest prices here in Ireland. So, for this week’s Tillage Edge, Brian Caldbeck, an Irishman running a seed business in Kentucky, returns to the show to discuss how US farmers are faring this season. Brian explains that farmers in the Kentuc…

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Episode 104 — Marianne Monte — Shawmut Design and Construction 38:18

3M ago38:18

38:18

🎙️ Marianne Monte on Authentic Leadership & Building Inclusive CulturesDave is joined by Marianne Monte, CPO at Shawmut Design and Construction, on the 104th episode of The Hennessy Report. She shares her journey from coming out in the early 90s to leading a $2 billion construction firm.🔥 Key Takeaways:* The "F-you fund" every HR pro needs* How bri…

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The Evolution of Sprayer Technology – Part 1 16:12

3M ago16:12

16:12

Sprayer technology has advanced significantly over the past decade, yet the core principle remains the same: delivering the correct spray quality and rate to the target area. For this week's Tillage Edge podcast — the first of a two-part series — Dermot Forristal, researcher with Teagasc, discusses the latest developments in sprayer technology and …

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How Don Somers increases precision on his farm 20:44

3M ago20:44

20:44

Challenges like weather, product availability and varying soil types often means that blanket applications are the norm rather than precise, targeted inputs. This week, the Tillage Signpost programme held an event at Don Somers’ farm in county Wexford to explore how he’s applying inputs with greater accuracy and Michael Hennessy spoke to Don on the…

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Dry conditions begin to bite and what that means for disease control 20:51

4M ago20:51

20:51

The dry conditions over the past 10 days - and with no rain in the forecast - means that spring crops in particular, are coming under pressure. John Pettit, a Teagasc tillage advisor in Wexford, and Ciaran Collins, a Teagasc tillage specialist, join the Tillage Edge this week to discuss the key agronomy actions needed over the next week to 10 days.…

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Yellow Rust, Ramularia & More: May’s Disease Challenges Across Crops 22:54

4M ago22:54

22:54

The coming weeks are critical for controlling foliar diseases in cereal crops and Dr Stephen Kildea, researcher at Teagasc Oak Park, joins the Tillage Edge this week to discuss the best disease management strategies for the weather conditions expected in May 2025. Stephen highlights the increased yellow rust pressure in some crops. “The main fungic…

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Crop management for the week ahead and UK farming realities 29:26

4M ago29:26

29:26

Ciaran Collins and Shay Phelan, both tillage specialists with Teagasc, join the Tillage Edge this week to discuss the key actions needed in crops over the next 7 to 10 days. We also hear from Andy Mahon, a Dubliner and farm manager in the UK, who shares his experience of the 2025 season so far. Andy highlights the stark realities facing UK farmers …

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Episode 103 — Marni Helfand — The Planet Group 45:29

4M ago45:29

45:29

From Legal Eagle to Culture Champion: The Planet Group's HR RevolutionIn this lively episode, Dave Hennessy chats with Marni Helfand about her fascinating journey from courtroom litigator (inspired by her dad's dinner table practice arguments!) to leading both legal and HR at Planet Group.WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:- How Planet Group placed a staggering …

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Why the plough still pulls weight – and what’s replacing it 20:31

4M ago20:31

20:31

The plough remains the most widely used crop establishment system in Ireland, but alternative methods can be just as effective under the right conditions. In this Tillage Edge episode, the first of two parts, Michael Hennessy is joined by Dermot Forristal, a Crops and Machinery Researcher at Teagasc Oak Park, to explore the history and evolution of…

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How will the US tariffs impact Irish tillage farmers? 24:44

5M ago24:44

24:44

The on-again, off-again tariffs being proposed by the US may have significant implications for Irish tillage farmers in the months and years ahead. For this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy is joined by Professor Michael Wallace, economist of agriculture and food in UCD, to discuss the potential effects of these global trade developmen…

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Why the Teagasc Crop Report is an essential tool for agronomists & farmers 22:58

5M ago22:58

22:58

With crop inputs being applied weekly, farmers and agronomists face constant decisions around product choice, application timing, and overall strategy. For this episode of The Tillage Edge, Denis Dunne, Trials Manager at Seedtech, joins us to discuss how he uses the Teagasc Crop Report as a vital tool — not just for daily agronomy decisions, but al…

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The best use of plant growth regulators 19:43

5M ago19:43

19:43

Crops are growing rapidly, and careful management is essential to prevent lodging before harvest. For this week’s Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy is joined by Dr. Richie Hackett from Teagasc Oak Park to discuss strategies for reducing lodging risk and the best use of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Richie explains that high nitrogen rates and fertil…

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Crop agronomy for the next two weeks 24:35

5M ago24:35

24:35

With the weather allowing farmers to plant crops and treat winter crops in ideal conditions, the only concern is the harsh wind which was slowing growth. For this episode of The Tillage Edge, Michael Hennessy is joined by Teagasc tillage specialists, Shay Phelan and Ciaran Collins, to discuss how crops are progressing and the key management steps n…

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Pig slurry in tillage - a natural boost for soil & crops 16:22

6M ago16:22

16:22

We explore the benefits of using pig slurry as an alternative to chemical fertilisers in tillage farming on the latest Tillage Edge podcast. Michael McKeon, Teagasc pig specialist, and Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage specialist, discuss how to target the use of pig slurry on tillage farms. We cover best practices for application, nutrient replaceme…

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On-farm trials: turning research into results 22:38

6M ago22:38

22:38

On-farm experimentation or trials come naturally to some farmers, while others see them as a hassle or someone else’s responsibility. On this week’s Tillage Edge, Jack Jameson, a Teagasc researcher, and John Pettit, a Teagasc tillage adviser working in the southeast, discuss how farmers can set up their own on-farm trials and maximise the benefits …

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Integrating old ideas with new technology 21:54

6M ago21:54

21:54

This week on the Tillage Edge, we catch up with John Crowley, a Signpost tillage farmer from Wexford, to discuss his farming system. Located in the heart of malting barley country, John is dedicated to producing high-spec malting barley each year. Despite transitioning to a min-till establishment system and incorporating organic manures, he has suc…

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Episode 102 — Maria Harris — Rockland Trust 29:53

6M ago29:53

29:53

Building a Relationship-Centered Banking CultureEpisode #102 of The Hennessy Report features Maria Harris, EVP & CHRO at Rockland Trust speaking with host Dave Hennessy.Maria explains how focusing on a culture "Where Each Relationship Matters" drives both customer experience and employee engagement across 2,000 employees and over 100 locations.STAN…

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What is the ideal tyre for your farm? 28:43

6M ago28:43

28:43

When the rubber hits the road, that’s when the action happens - and when tyres hit the soil, that’s when compaction may become a serious issue. For this week’s Tillage Edge podcast, Dermot Forristal, a machinery researcher from Teagasc Oak Park, discusses the evolution of tractor tyres and how they impact traction, load capacity, and soil compactio…

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Applying nitrogen to winter crops 22:21

6M ago22:21

22:21

With spring just around the corner and crop growth set to take off shortly, Ciaran Collins, a Tillage Specialist with Teagasc, and John Pettit, Teagasc Tillage Enterprise Advisor in Wexford, join this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss crop inputs for the coming weeks. In particular, we focus on nitrogen application for oilseed rape and winter cereals.…

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Jim McCarthy’s farming update from Romania 41:31

7M ago41:31

41:31

Jim McCarthy, who manages a large farming operation in Romania, shares his insights into the challenges of 2024 when extreme heat devastated yields across the country. He discusses how his no-till system has been of huge benefit for his farm and explores diversification options, including forestry, that he has pursued in recent years. Also, don’t m…

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Tillage’s environmental credentials – report from the National Tillage Conference 23:39

7M ago23:39

23:39

The environmental credentials of the tillage sector were discussed at this year’s National Tillage Conference and on this week’s Tillage Edge, we chat with Dr. Bridget Lynch, a researcher at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, about cover crops and their positive impact on water quality. We also speak with Dr. Giulia Bondi, another researcher at Johnstown C…

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Reducing pesticides use will reduce yields 28:50

7M ago28:50

28:50

One of the standout topics at this year's National Tillage Conference was on pesticide reduction and the role of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Presenters Meghan England and Robert McDougall, both researchers at Teagasc, join this week’s Tillage Edge podcast to share their insights. Meghan conducted an extensive review of scientific papers and c…

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Episode 101 — Carolyn O'Boyle — The Boston Beer Company 36:05

7M ago36:05

36:05

EVERY MANAGER INTERACTION IS A MAKE-OR-BREAK MOMENTBoston Beer's CPO reveals why those quick hallway chats and casual feedback sessions matter more than you think.Episode #101 of The Hennessy Report features Carolyn O'Boyle, CPO at The Boston Beer Company speaking with host Dave Hennessy and Keystone Partners' colleague Brenda Stanton. Carolyn shar…

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A preview of the National Tillage Conference 11:22

7M ago11:22

11:22

One of the highlights of the Irish tillage calendar is the Teagasc National Tillage Conference, a must-attend event to hear about the latest research and advancements in the field. For this week’s Tillage Edge, Dr. Ewen Mullins, Head of Crop Science at Teagasc, gives a preview of what to expect this year. You must register for the National Tillage …

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Farm Partnerships: Planning for Farm Succession (Part 4) 24:03

8M ago24:03

24:03

For the final part of our four-part series on farm succession, we chat to Ruth Fennell, a Collaborative Farm Specialist with Teagasc. Ruth discusses Farm Partnerships and how these can be used to bring in the next generation to the farm structure, develop their skills, gradually devolve responsibility and also facilitate the transfer of the farm. R…

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The Key Steps to Successful Implementation: Planning for Farm Succession (Part 3) 18:25

8M ago18:25

18:25

For the third episode in our four-part series on farm succession planning, James McDonnell, a financial specialist with Teagasc, takes a closer look at the key steps to successful implementation and revisiting a succession plan. James also touches upon how to bring professional services together to develop a robust succession plan. For more episode…

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Tax Implications of Farm Transfers: Planning for Farm Succession (Part 2) 23:48

8M ago23:48

23:48

For the second of the four-part series on farm succession ,we re-join James McDonnell, a financial specialist with Teagasc, to take a closer look at the various tax implications when planning for the farm transfer. James talks about the tax exposure where the succession is not well planned and how to all but eliminate this cost. For more episodes a…

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The Next Generation: Planning for Farm Succession (Part 1) 20:50

9M ago20:50

20:50

In this first episode of a four-part series on The Tillage Edge, we explore how families can best plan for succession on the farm. James McDonnell, a financial specialist with Teagasc, discusses the key aspects of family farm succession and for part one, we focus on how to begin the succession journey, starting with family communication and the typ…

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Calculating tillage incomes for 2024 23:28

9M ago23:28

23:28

Teagasc Economist, Dr. Fiona Thorne, discusses the key findings from the recent Teagasc Outlook 2025 conference on this week’s Tillage Edge. Tillage farm incomes are expected to rebound after the tough year of 2023, with estimates showing a 40% increase in 2024 and further gains in 2025. However, Fiona highlights the importance of context, emphasis…

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Celebrating Episode 100 — Tracy Burns & Beth Grous 59:08

9M ago59:08

59:08

7 Years & 100 Episodes: A Milestone HR Leadership Conversation The Hennessy Report celebrates its 100th episode by bringing back its first two guests - Dave is joined by Tracy Burns (CEO of NERA) and Beth Grous (CPO at Generate Biomedicines) - for an insightful discussion on how HR has evolved and where it's heading.Key Highlights:* How HR has tran…

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Leading the Way in Sustainable Tillage, Part 2 with Tom Barry 17:20

9M ago17:20

17:20

For this week’s Tillage Edge, we rejoin Tom Barry, a tillage farmer from North Cork sharing how he's implementing sustainable farming practices using organic manures and reducing fertiliser use to enhancing biodiversity. On this episode, Tom explains more about the rotation on his farm and we’re also joined by Teagasc Signpost advisor, John Mahon, …

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Leading the Way in Sustainable Tillage: Tom Barry’s Environmental Journey (Part 1) 20:13

9M ago20:13

20:13

Tom Barry, a tillage farmer from North Cork, who has recently been recognised with multiple environmental awards, joins The Tillage Edge for a two-part series sharing how he's implementing sustainable farming practices from using organic manures and reducing fertiliser use to enhancing biodiversity. Plus he discusses the impact of these actions on …

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Episode 99 — Bucky Dodd — ClearKinetic 35:53

9M ago35:53

35:53

Is your organization still sitting on the AI sidelines while 80% of employees are already using it?On this episode of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners, Dave is joined by Bucky Dodd, a pioneering voice in the AI and learning development space who's helping HR leaders navigate the AI revolution without losing sight of what matters most - peop…

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What does a good rotation look like on your farm? 22:04

10M ago22:04

22:04

A year ago, many farmers faced significant challenges due to the unusually wet weather, which disrupted their crop rotations. For this week’s Tillage Edge, John Pettit, a Teagasc tillage advisor from South Wexford, shares his insights into how farmers are adapting their crop rotations to suit both their land and the local markets. John explains tha…

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Episode 98 — Gary Ware — Breakthrough Play 30:50

10M ago30:50

30:50

On the 98th episode of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners, Dave is joined by Gary Ware, founder and corporate facilitator of "Breakthrough Play," author of "Playful Rebellion," and frequent Keynote speaker. His mission? To help creative professionals in sales and marketing use the power of play to be more creative, confident, and develop deep…

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Disease control in oilseed rape 17:09

10M ago17:09

17:09

Winter oilseed rape has grown strongly over the past month but these conditions are also good for foliar disease development. Dr Stephen Kildea joins the Tillage Edge this week to talk about disease levels in oilseed rape and if control is necessary. He encourages all growers to walk their fields to look for Phoma and Light Leaf Spot (LLS) and reco…