Beef
Bull beef and breeding with Eamon and Donnchadh McCarthy
Eamon and Donnchadh McCarthy farm in Carrigeen, Glendine, Youghal, Co. Waterford and are participants in the Teagasc Future Beef and Signpost Programmes. In this article, they share the latest happenings on their farm in terms of bull beef production, breeding and grassland management.
15 May 2025
Listen: John Maher’s grass management tips at this critical time
Grass10 Manager, John Maher is on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss grass management on the farm at this critical stage of the year.
14 May 2025
7 tips for better quality silage on beef farms
Are you tempted to take advantage of the good weather to save your first-cut silage? Teagasc Beef Specialist, David Argue shares key steps for making quality silage.
14 May 2025
Dairy calf to beef systems: What are the top performers doing?
With over 60% of beef now produced from the dairy herd, there is growing interest in dairy calf to beef systems. Regardless of the production system you choose, there are key areas that must be recognised and implemented. DairyBeef 500 Advisor, Gordon Peppard tells us more.
14 May 2025
Time running out to apply for key schemes
Farmers need to be aware that a number of importance scheme application deadlines will take place this week.
12 May 2025
What is an appropriate stocking rate for organic farmers?
“How many cattle or sheep could my farm carry if I convert to organics?” is a question commonly asked. Many people don’t like the response “it depends”, but in this situation it really does depend on a wide range of factors. Joe Kelleher, Organic Specialist, tells us more.
11 May 2025
‘Difficult decisions’ needed to curb rising TB
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D. convened a meeting of key stakeholders this week to address the worrying rise in TB incidence across the country.
09 May 2025
Watch: A breeding update from Newford
With calving now complete, the breeding season at Newford Farm commenced on Monday, April 21. Michael Fagan brings us up to date with the latest happenings from the demonstration farm, where 100% AI will be used over a 10-week breeding season.
09 May 2025
Treat trace element deficiencies as soon as possible
Trace element deficiencies are becoming evident in some spring crops, Teagasc Tillage Specialist, Shay Phelan reminds us that crops need careful treatment to avoid setting them back even further.
08 May 2025
New factsheet on heifer synchronisation programmes
The Teagasc Future Beef Programme has published a new factsheet, offering suckler farmers essential tips and advice on implementing effective heifer synchronisation programmes.
08 May 2025
Listen: An update on calving and breeding from Newford Farm
Stephen Frend from the Newford demonstration herd in Co. Roscommon is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give a review of calving, an update on the current breeding season and a look into management for the coming weeks.
07 May 2025
Set up a paddock system to get more from grass
Looking to get a greater return from your grass? As conditions have finally become conducive for growth, Teagasc Beef Specialist, Catherine Egan shares key tips on setting up a paddock system.
07 May 2025
An April of weather ups and downs
Teagasc Signpost Programme participant, Gareth Peoples brings us up to date with the latest happenings on his dairy calf to beef farm in Co. Donegal, where an April of weather up and downs resulted in some cattle being re-housed over the Easter weekend.
06 May 2025
The Benefits of White Clover
White clover is the most widely sown legume species in temperate grasslands and is highly compatible with perennial ryegrass. Its ability to thrive in a range of climatic conditions and tolerate intensive grazing makes it an ideal companion in mixed swards across Irish farms.
04 May 2025
Synchronisation in the suckler herd
Timed AI based on the use of oestrus synchronisation programme can substantially reduce the labour requirements of heat detection and assembly of suckler cows.
03 May 2025
Selecting the right electric fencer to suit your farm
With so many options available, it is often a challenge to select the right size electric fencer needed on-farm, Teagasc Beef Specialist, Catherine Egan shares some key considerations and some areas to troubleshot if your fencer isn’t working as it should.
01 May 2025
New insights on dairy-beef post weaning feeding strategies
A recent study completed by Jennifer Abbot at Teagasc Grange has shed new light on possible post-weaning feeding strategies to improve the carcass performance of dairy-beef males.
01 May 2025
Avoiding unnecessary worm treatments – a Kildare dairy-beef producer’s approach
As worm control is a major concern in grass-based dairy calf to beef systems, DairyBeef 500 Advisor, Fergal Maguire sheds light on how a more targeted approach to worm control is working for Peter and Simon Byrne, DairyBeef 500 participants from Co. Kildare.
30 April 2025
Key tips for weed control on grazing and silage ground
Chris Maughan, Product and Technical Manager with Whelehan Crop Protection, discusses weed control on grazing and silage ground on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.
30 April 2025
Breeding both beef and replacements
Future Beef Programme Advisor, Aisling Molloy provides insights into the breeding plans on Aonghusa Fahy’s farm in Co. Galway, and Wesley Browne’s farm Co. Monaghan – two herds looking to complement their cows’ traits with the sires selected.
26 April 2025
‘The stock bull getting injured has proved to be a blessing in disguise'
Teagasc Beef Specialist, Catherine Egan and Teagasc Advisor, Ross Fitzgerald detail how the move to AI has benefited Co. Galway suckler farmer, Niall Ryan.
25 April 2025
All farmers have a role to play in improving water quality
Regardless of scale, intensity or enterprise, all farmers have a role to play in bringing about an improvement in Ireland’s water quality
24 April 2025
Listen: The benefits of reseeding this spring
Mary McEvoy, Technical Development Manager with Germinal, joins Catherine Egan and Ciaran Lynch on this week’s joint episode of the Beef Edge and OviCast podcasts to discuss all aspects of carrying out reseeding.
23 April 2025
John Dunne’s dairy-beef and sustainability focus
Future Beef Advisor, Aisling Molloy fills us in on the latest happenings from John Dunne’s farm in Portarlington, Co. Offaly, detailing his reasoning behind expanding the dairy-beef enterprise, how animals are performing on farm, and the measures he’s implementing to protect water quality.
23 April 2025
Payment rates of €75/calf available under 2025 Beef Welfare Scheme
Details of the 2025 Beef Welfare Scheme, which will open to applications in early August, were made public by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, today April 22.
22 April 2025
Enticing more customers through better beef genetics
Alan Dillon, Manager of the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign, takes a closer look at William Dennehy’s beef breeding policy, designed to improve the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) of his calves to entice more customers.
22 April 2025
The Benefits of Red Clover
Red clover builds soil fertility and boosts animal performance making it an ideal option for farms looking to cut nitrogen bills and grow top-quality forage.
19 April 2025
Delivering higher CBV calves from a crossbred herd
DairyBeef 500 Advisor, Tommy Cox writes on the breeding programme implemented on the farm of David and Robert Gannon, where high beef merit sires are delivering calves with a higher Commercial Beef Value (CBV).
19 April 2025
Buying a New Stockbull
It has come to that time of year again when many farmers around the country will be looking to source new stock bulls for the fast approaching breeding season. Here are some of the key points to look out for before a purchase is made. Kevin O’Hara tells us more.
18 April 2025
Ger McSweeney’s desirables in his next generation of cows
Breeding for the 2026 calving season has commenced on Ger McSweeney’s Future Beef farm in Millstreet, Co. Cork. With 100% AI used, Ger focuses on a number of desirable traits when breeding the next generation of cows for his herd.
16 April 2025