To evaluate the Teagasc podcast as a digital advisory method and to make recommendations for future development

Digitalisation of agriculture in an ongoing process which presents a substantial opportunity to use technologies for knowledge transfer and to aid in farmer support and decision-making. Key to creating impact of such digitalisation is the role of agricultural extension. Agricultural extension approaches have evolved over time from a linear technology transfer model to a more -peer learning approach incorporating the use of digital technologies. Changes in agriculture are happening at a more frequent rate than ever, this is seeing an increased desire for information amongst agricultural communities and extension services play a key role in providing this support. Podcasts are a medium of mass communication that has seen substantial growth in use over the past decade. Digital advisory tools like podcasts provide an opportunity to expand the reach of extension services while also creating an alternative learning approach for members of the agricultural community. There are barriers to the adoption of such DATs (Digital Advisory Tools) in agricultural communities. Evaluation of such extension approaches is also becoming of increasing importance as alternatives emerge. This study is focused on the evaluation of The Teagasc Podcasts Using a CRELE+ evaluation framework previously used by Chivers et al. (2021). This framework uses Credibility, Relevance, Legitimacy and Accessibility to evaluate the podcasts. The six Teagasc podcasts are sector-specific, designed and hosted by Teagasc and released on a weekly or fortnightly basis to the public. This study also looks at the identification of opportunities for future development. To complete this study, surveys along with interviews and focus groups of listeners, podcast osts and knowledge transfer specialists were carried out. The findings of this research have uncovered the important characteristics of successful podcasts that maximise their benefit to listeners within the agricultural community. Areas from the timely and topical nature of podcasts to the conversation style and impact of preferred guests have been highlighted. It is also acknowledged through this study that podcasts are suitable to create an impact on farms at different levels and that knowledge transfer specialists perceive podcasts as useful. This study also found that promotion has an influence on podcasts that could be explored further. Ultimately this study recognises podcasts as a successful digital advisory tool to deliver information, advice, and updates to agricultural communities alongside a face-to-face extension approach.