BEEF2024 Open Day
Securing your future
Wednesday, 26th June | Teagasc, Grange, Co. Meath. Eircode: C15 PW93
The theme of this year’s event - ‘Securing your future’.
Download the open day booklet: Beef 2024 Open Day: Securing your future (PDF)
Securing your Future in Beef Farming
Board 1 -Securing your Farm Future
Stand 1 Board 1 - Securing your Farm Future (pdf)
Board 2 - Building from a position of strength
Stand 1 Board 2 - Building from a position of strength (pdf)
Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc and Dr. Paul Crosson, Beef Enterprise Leader, Teagasc go through the first stand
Summary
- The source of beef calves coming into the beef sector has changed substantially in the past decade with a sharp increase in dairy-beef coinciding with a reduction in suckler cows.
- The key principles underpinning profitable farm systems are largely the same for suckler and dairy-beef systems – producing high levels of beef output from a predominantly grazed grass diet while maximising the contribution to ecosystems services.
- Recent research has found that Monitor and Research farms had 4.9 and 2.2 times greater profitability, respectively, when compared to National average profitability.
- The environmental impact of beef systems encompasses greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity and water quality.
- A recent online survey of beef farmers highlighted the prevalence of part-time farming and the desire for greater labour efficiency to improve work-life balance.
Read accompanying paper Securing your future in beef farming (pdf)
Key factors underpinning viable and sustainable beef farming
Stand 2 - Board 1 - Impact of Technology Implementation
Stand 2 - Board 1 - Impact of Technology Implementation (pdf)
Stand 2 Board 2 - Technologies to Improve Viability
Stand 2 Board 2 - Technologies to Improve Viability (pdf)
Dr Mark McGee, Teagasc Research Officer and Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist go through the second board
Summary
- Failure to meet animal performance targets is a major source of inefficiency in beef cattle production systems.
- If animals are to be finished younger, achieving high growth performance is critical.
- Animal growth rate is largely a function of feed ‘quality’ and quantity, animal genetics and herd health.
- Where key performance targets are not met, this has large negative ramifications for the profitability and environmental footprint of beef production systems.
- Reducing greenhouse emissions is generally associated with greater profitability of grass-based beef production systems.
Read accompanying paper Key factors underpinning viable and sustainable beef farming (pdf)
The focus of BEEF2024 was on the application of technologies that will help beef farmers increase the profitability and environmental sustainability of their family farm businesses. The roadmap to environmentally sustainable beef production as outlined in the Signpost Programme will feature.
Technologies in relation to grazing management, animal nutrition, beef genetics, reproductive management, animal health and welfare, and farm planning will be essential to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the Irish beef sector. This will form the main focus of the day.
Topics covered on the day
Securing your future in beef farming
- What are the key challenges and opportunities?
- Production systems to balance income and lifestyle
- Market & environmental policy demands
Management toolbox for beef farms
- Optimal suckler & dairy-beef systems
- Driving genetic gain for beef cattle
- Maximising performance from grass forage
Technology Villages
Dairy calf-to-beef village
- Teagasc research systems
- Genetic tools for improving calf quality
- Calf rearing and health
- Earlier finishing age for dairy-beef cattle
- Tipperary calf-to-beef Farm
View boards and information from Dairy Calf to Beef Village
Suckler Beef village
- Suckler systems – key performance indicators
- Using the Terminal and Replacement Indexes
- Optimizing health and welfare for suckler-bred cattle
- Reducing finishing age of suckler beef cattle
- Derrypatrick and Newford herds
Grassland & forage village
- Grazing and silage demos
- Grazing infrastructure
- Grass budgeting
- Clover and multi-species pastures
- Nutrient planning to improve soil health & water quality
Advisory, Education & Opportunities Village
- Advisory Service including inheritance and succession
- Education options within the farm sector
- Organic beef farming
- Renewable energy options for beef farmers
- New opportunities in forestry
Forum Centre
- Health and lifestyle for farm families
- Achieving work-life balance
- Engage with industry stakeholders
- Meat quality, PGI & market prospects
- Suckler and dairy-beef forums
Forums
Main Forum - Securing your future in beef farming - 2.00pm
Welcome address: Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director
Introduction: Liam Herlihy, Chairman of Teagasc Authority
Opening address: Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine – Charlie McConalogue TD
Forum Chair: Maeve Dineen, RTE Ear to the Ground
Panellists:
- Pat McDonagh, Managing Director, Supermac's
- Ciaran Fitzgerald, Agri economist
- Ken Gill, Organic farmer and Future Beef Programme Participant, Co. Offaly
- Eamonn & Donnacha McCarthy, Future Beef Programme Participants, Co. Waterford
- Marie Donnelly, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council
In this forum the main opportunities and challenges facing the sector and beef farm families will be discussed, in particular, succession and inheritance. The speakers from the beef sector will outline the strengths of the sector and the potential to enhance profitability, sustainability and lifestyle through the deployment of latest technologies.
DairyBeef 500 - 12.30pm
A panel discussion with farmer participants of DB500 takes place in the Forum Centre at 12.30pm. The panellists outline the progress they have made since joining the programme and their plans to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact through adoption of technologies.
Forum chair: Richie O’Brien, Kilkenny/Waterford Regional Manager, Teagasc.
Panellists include:
- Charlie Smyth, DairyBeef 500 Programme Participant, Co. Cavan
- Martin Connolly, DairyBeef 500 Programme Participant, Co. Roscommon
Future Beef - 1.30pm
A panel discussion with farmer participants of Future Beef takes place in the Forum Centre at 1.30pm. The panellists outline the progress they have made since joining the programme and their plans to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact through adoption of technologies.
Forum chair: Vivian Silke, Teagasc Regional Manager, Mayo
Panellists include:
- Shane Keaveney, Future Beef Programme Participant, Co. Roscommon
- Aonghusa Fahy, Future Beef Programme Participant, Co. Galway
Live displays & demonstrations
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 fertilizers, calibration of spreaders and farm infrastructure. Cow simulators will be used to demonstrate the principles of safe calving and handling of livestock. Cattle from the various suckler and dairy-beef studies at Grange will be on display. There will also be displays on calf rearing and antimicrobial & anthelmintic resistance.
Industry stakeholders and partners
Key industry stakeholders industry were present in the Ag-Expo Village. Additionally industry representatives including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Animal Health Ireland, Bord Bia, Meat Industry Ireland, Meat Technology Ireland and the Health & Safety Authority participated in the Open Day.
Supporting Sustainable Beef Farming
The beef sector remains one of the most important contributors to the national economy in Ireland, supporting in excess of 70,000 beef farmers with an export value of approximately €2.7 bn. It also contributes approximately 10,000 jobs across processing, distribution and transport in predominantly rural areas. The level of domestic spend has a huge multiplier effect on the overall economy and is a key part of the sector’s importance to regional development. Its strengths lie in its pasture-based production systems underpinning its strong sustainability credentials and it is well-placed to meet the increased global demand for beef.
Teagasc acknowledges with gratitude the support of FBD Trust who will be available on the day to meet attendees.
