Beef
Does night-time feeding reduce night-time calvings?
Some farmers may be implementing a feeding strategy where silage is restricted to suckler cows during daylight hours, instead being offered at night time, to reduce the incidence of night-time calvings.
22 February 2024
Newford farm update - the move to Roscommon, calving preparation and performance review
With the calving season underway, Michael Fagan, Teagasc Newford farm technician, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into changes on the farm, preparation in advance of calving and a review performance of the herd.
21 February 2024
Diary dates: DairyBeef 500 spring farm walks
Gordon Peppard, DairyBeef 500 Advisor, previews two upcoming events, where the host farmers will share the progress they’ve made in improving physical and financial performance of their dairy calf to beef enterprises.
21 February 2024
A busy calving and breeding season for Ken Gill, Future Beef Farmer
Ken bred 14 heifers and 58 cows to AI bulls between November 1 and December 11, which amounts to a six-week breeding season.
20 February 2024
The importance of colostrum to suckler calves
As a means to protect the early-life health of calves, suckler farmers have been encouraged to prioritise the feeding of colostrum to their calves this spring.
20 February 2024
Investigate birth deformities in calves or lambs - DAFM
Farmers are advised to be vigilant and to ask their vet to refer any birth deformities in sheep or cattle to the nearest Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs) for investigation.
20 February 2024
Newford herd settled into new home in Roscommon
The Newford suckler demonstration farm, established by Teagasc and Dawn Meats with support by McDonalds, took up its new residence on a 118 acre farmable farm at Scrine Co, Roscommon at the end of 2023, Michael Fagan tells us more on the latest happenings from the farm.
17 February 2024
Research update: Cow-calf bond development
Noeleen Brereton, Mark Mcgee, Colin Byrne and Bernadette Earley report on the effect of suckler cow breed type and parity on the development of the cow-calf bond post partum and its relationship with calf passive immunity.
17 February 2024
Advice and tips for caring for the new born calf
This week on the Beef Edge podcast it’s the second of a two part episode with Teagasc vet John Donlon who gives advice and tips for caring for the new born calf.
14 February 2024
How this DairyBeef 500 farmer turned the tide on pneumonia
Since developing a calf to beef system on his farm in Castledermot, Co. Kildare, Peter Byrne has encountered issues with pneumonia during the calf rearing phase.
14 February 2024
Key SCEP dates approaching
Farmers participating in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) need to be aware of two upcoming dates. The first occurring on February 15 relates to the completion of survey data on the calves and suckler cows; the second relates to the 2024 SCEP reference number.
12 February 2024
Hedgerow Planting with John Dunne
John farms 125ha between owned and leased land. He lives in Tinacrannagh, on the outskirts of Portarlington town. He farms full-time and is helped by his son James, who is studying Agricultural Science in UCD.
12 February 2024
The January happenings on the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Farm
Chloe Millar writes on the happenings on the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm over the month of January.
11 February 2024
Leading the development of more sustainable European livestock production systems
STEP UP is a four year research project funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation. The Teagasc-led project aims to support the development of more economically, environmentally and socially sustainable European livestock production systems (ELPS).
08 February 2024
Top tips on managing the suckler cow - pre and during calving
In the first of a two-part series, Teagasc Researcher and vet, John Donlon joins the Beef Edge podcast to give his insights and top tips in relation to managing the cow before and at calving.
07 February 2024
Future Beef farmers take opportunity to commence grazing
Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor, asks: Is there an opportunity for you to save feed, save money and increase performance by letting stock out on your farm? She also provides an update from Ger McSweeney's farm in Co. Cork.
07 February 2024
Hedge and Tree Planting Requirements for ACRES Tranche 1
Martina Donnelly, B&T Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Galway/Clare, tells us that many farmers have now begun preparing for their tree and hedge planting options under ACRES, and explains the hedge and tree planting requirements of the scheme.
05 February 2024
What do dairy-beef farmers want in potential calves?
Purchasing decisions made on calf to beef farms in the coming weeks can have positive or negative impacts on the level of performance achieved throughout the animal’s life cycle and the resulting profit returned from the venture.
02 February 2024
Further flexibility granted for SCEP herds
Further flexibility has been granted for participants in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) whose herds may be impacted by the ICBF evaluation changes which came into effect on November 28, 2023.
01 February 2024
Completing a profit monitor
Catherine Egan, host of the Beef Edge podcast and Ciarán Lynch from Teagasc’s Ovicast sheep podcast discuss financial management tips on drystock farms with Teagasc Financial Specialist, Kevin Connolly.
31 January 2024
Keeping calves healthy as calf rearing kicks off
In recent years over four hundred thousand calves are traded annually between dairy and beef farmers around the country. With calving in full swing on dairy farms, the coming weeks will see large numbers of calves move between both enterprises. Tommy Cox tells us how to keep calves healthy.
31 January 2024
Farmers urged to prioritise safety at calving
With data from the HSA showing that attacks by a cow with a calf account for a third of all livestock fatalities and cows with calves were involved in more fatal incidents than bulls over the 10-year period of 2014-2023, farmers have been urged to prioritise safety during the busy calving season.
30 January 2024
How to source the right calf
Starting well is half the battle when buying and rearing calves for beef. Tommy Cox, Teagasc DairyBeef500, spoke with Olivia and Keith Lowry who gave their best tips and advice for sourcing calves.
28 January 2024
Check list to prepare for purchasing calves
Alan Dillon, DairyBeef500 campaign manager, writes about the most important considerations when preparing for purchasing calves.
27 January 2024
Farmers encouraged to carefully manage their winter-feed requirements
An online meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) took place Wednesday, 24th January to update members on the livestock fodder and feed situation on farms. Challenges around the availability of straw was also a strong recurring message.
25 January 2024
Mapping the direction of travel of dairy beef systems
An increase in the national dairy herd since milk quota removal in 2015 has changed the dynamic within the Irish beef industry. Animals of dairy origin now account for ~60% of Ireland’s beef throughput.
25 January 2024
Action needed to avoid ‘uphill battle’ on future nitrates derogations
The future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation is dependent on farmers making the right choices and implementing measures to improve water quality, according to Eoghan O’Brien, Teagasc Sustainability Advisor.
25 January 2024
Sustainability focus areas for 2024
Dr Siobhan Kavanagh from the Signpost Programme is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss what areas you can focus on to make your farm more sustainable in 2024.
24 January 2024
Answering the key questions on the National Genotyping Programme
ICBF is writing to farmers, providing an information booklet, to answer the key and frequently asked questions they may have in relation to the National Genotyping Programme (NGP).
24 January 2024
Watch: A guide on drafting cattle
Drafting cattle for slaughter when they are actually fit to kill is a key management component of successful calf-to-beef systems. At a fat score of 3+, the carcass weight potential of Holstein Friesian steers is maximised.
24 January 2024