Beef2022 Highlights
Forum: Supporting Sustainable Beef Farming
In the afternoon there will be a forum on the sustainability of Irish beef farming. Irish beef is known globally for its high standard of production and nutritional benefits with regard to human health. It is predominantly grass-fed, pasture-raised and fully traceable from farm to fork. Irish beef has a very low carbon footprint and farms are audited every 18 months with the aim of lowering it further. Family-run beef farms are the backbone of rural communities in Ireland. In the afternoon, a panel of experts will address these credentials. Attendees at BEEF2022 will also have the opportunity to taste the superb quality of Irish beef.
Facilitated by Ivan Yates, the panel discussion will feature:
- Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director
- Professor Alice Stanton, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and Devenish (Nutrition)
- Michael Biggins, Future Beef farmer, Mayo;
- Phelim O’Neill, Irish Farmers Journal (IFJ).
Live displays, demonstrations & workshops
There will be live displays in relation to low emissions slurry application, grazing management and health & safety throughout the day. There will be demonstrations in relation to the use of protected urea fertilisers, reseeding and farm infrastructure. Livestock from the various suckler and dairy-beef studies at Grange will be on display. There will also be workshops on calf rearing, anti-microbial & anthelmintic resistance and two-year-old calving.
Research to adoption: extension methods
A wide range of extension methodologies are employed by Teagasc to transfer research findings to beef farmers. The rapid uptake of virtual technologies during the Covid pandemic has led to a much richer menu of knowledge transfer conduits that will be further harnessed in the coming years. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and discuss their ideas with Teagasc staff. Teagasc have a range of specialists in all the key technology areas. You will have the opportunity to discuss solutions to your beef farm problems one-to-one using the many decision support tools developed by Teagasc.
Teagasc Grange anerobic digestion research facility
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a natural process whereby anaerobic bacteria convert organic compounds to a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and other trace gases. The mixture of gases produced is called ‘biogas’ and can be used to replace fossil fuels. Teagasc Grange have recently completed a pilot-scale anaerobic digestor and this plant, and associated research, will be available to visit on the day. The aim of the Grange AD plant is to provide a demonstration opportunity for farmers, policy-makers, consultants and service providers. We are also undertaking studies to optimize the operation of AD plants for Irish conditions and within the constraints of EU regulations.
Industry partnerships
Key industry representatives including the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Animal Health Ireland, Bord Bia, Meat Industry Ireland, Meat Technology Ireland, University College Dublin and the Health & Safety Authority will be participating at the Open Day.