Beef
Ger McSweeney’s suckler-beef system and use of AI on his Millstreet farm
Future Beef suckler farmer Ger McSweeney, from Millstreet, Co.Cork, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on his beef system, plus he discusses how AI on his farm is increasing performance and reducing age to slaughter. He also previews his upcoming open day.
30 August 2023
Farm walk planned on DairyBeef 500 farm in Cork
Farming outside of Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, Pat Collins and his family run a mixed farm, consisting of both tillage and dairy calf to beef enterprises, on owned and leased lands in a number of different blocks. Gordon Peppard tells us more about Pat, his farm and an upcoming open day.
30 August 2023
Specialised in-calf heifer producer to host farm walk
Michael Cunniffe, a specialised producer of in-calf suckler replacement heifers, will open the gates of his farm next week to highlight how he makes grass work in his system.
27 August 2023
Signpost Update: Scanning results and 200-day weights
Ruairi Cummins, participant in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme and the Teagasc Signpost Programme, provides an update on his farm from the month of August, which includes a focus on scanning results, animal performance and preparing for weaning.
26 August 2023
Kildalton farm update and open day preview
On the latest Beef Edge podcast, John O’Connor from Kildalton Agricultural College gives an update on the suckler farm, and Joe Day, teacher in Kildalton, discusses the upcoming open day.
23 August 2023
The benefits of scanning suckler cows
Is it at least 30 days since the last cow in your herd could has been served? If your answer is yes, then you should consider scanning your cows. Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, outlines the benefits of scanning your suckler cows in this article.
23 August 2023
Autumn reseeding - timing is crucial
Most grassland reseeding traditionally takes place in the autumn (August/September), with about one-third of reseeding occurring in late spring (April/May).
21 August 2023
Calculate fodder demand for winter
Fodder budgeting requires assessing current feed reserves on farm and forward planning now for the winter months ahead.
20 August 2023
Red clover a winner on suckler farms
Red clover for silage is being established on four farms in the Future Beef Programme for the first time this year. It is not a new crop to Ireland, so why is it increasing in popularity now? Aisling Molloy, Teagasc Future Beef Programme, tells us more.
20 August 2023
Benefits for SCEP herds with joining the National Genotyping Programme
Herds participating in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) can see many benefits if they also join the National Genotyping Programme.
19 August 2023
Sizing up the National Beef Welfare Scheme
A new one year scheme aimed at suckler farms was announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue recently and will remain open for applications until September 12th, James FitzGerald, Drystock Advisor in Ballina, expands on the scheme's details.
19 August 2023
SCEP and dairy-beef weighing tasks
With over 20,000 successful applications for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme and almost 14,000 dairy beef weighing scheme applications, it is important to emphasise the tasks that are required to be carried out in order to receive maximum payments in both these schemes.
16 August 2023
Grass10 Drystock runner up Michael Cunniffe explains his system
Michael Cunniffe from Co. Roscommon joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his in-calf heifer system and grassland management.
16 August 2023
It has being a tricky grass year for Dairybeef 500 farmer Irvine Allen, but performance is good
Irvine is farming in Mount Temple just outside Moate in County Westmeath. He farms 58 hectares of land in 2 blocks and purchases 120 predominantly Friesian bull calves each year. Fergal Maguire, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Advisor, tells us more on his farming year.
16 August 2023
Sustainable Farmer Award winners announced
Winners highlight benefits of implementing sustainability practices.
14 August 2023
How can we breed for a younger age of slaughter?
Ireland is the first in the world to include age of slaughter in national breeding objectives. Alan Twomey, Teagasc researcher in genetics, explains why age of slaughter is a key trait for beef herds to reduce costs and improve environmental efficiency.
13 August 2023
200-day weights under the spotlight at Newford
With the busy breeding season concluding on July 4, the focus for Stephen Frend on the Newford Farm is keeping good quality grass ahead of stock to drive animal performance.
12 August 2023
New Sustainable Livestock Village to feature at Tullamore Show
The Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show, taking place this Sunday, August 13th, features a new addition with the establishment of a Sustainable Livestock Village.
10 August 2023
An update from the Derrypatrick herd
Peter Doyle, Teagasc Research Officer in Teagasc Grange, joins Catherine Egan on this week's Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the Derrypatrick herd.
09 August 2023
Building grass for the autumn on Future Beef farms
As it moves into the autumn season, Future Beef farmers are now preparing for autumn grazing. Aisling Molloy, Teagasc Future Beef Advisor, tells us more on the benefits extending the grazing season can bring.
09 August 2023
Watch: Putting grass ‘front and centre’ in Co. Meath
Michael McGuigan farms part time with his wife Aisling and daughter Penny at Longwood, Co. Meath. Located all around the farmyard, the 23.5ha farm is a mixture of sandy gravel and clay soil and is home to an autumn-calving suckler herd.
04 August 2023
All you need to know about the new National Beef Welfare Scheme
Following the launch of the new National Beef Welfare Scheme by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Catherine Egan is joined by Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist, who outlines what's involved with the replacement to Beep-S on this week's Beef Edge podcast.
03 August 2023
BEEP-S replaced with new National Beef Welfare Scheme
Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist, outlines the new National Beef Welfare Scheme, what it entails and how farmers can apply.
03 August 2023
Winter fodder situation on DairyBeef 500 farms
The dry spell in late May / early June affected participating farmers in the DairyBeef 500 Campaign across the country very differently, explains Gordon Peppard, DairyBeef 500 Advisor.
02 August 2023
Are you the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year 2023?
The Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year competition aims to promote grassland excellence for all Irish livestock farmers. The competition recognises farmers who are achieving high levels of grass utilisation in a sustainable manner.
27 July 2023
Lungworm – the key questions
Lungworm infection or hoose is one of the most important respiratory diseases of cattle in Ireland, Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, explains.
27 July 2023
Mid-season parasite control for dairy-beef animals
Ensuring animals are free from parasites is an important factor to achieve the desired levels of performance on calf-to-beef farms, Tommy Cox, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 advisor, tells us more.
26 July 2023
Kilbeggan students’ journey on the Certified Irish Angus Competition
The Certified Irish Angus Schools competition challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves over 18 months while completing a research project, and is organised in partnership with ABP Ireland and Kepak Group.
26 July 2023
Growing and refining a calf-to-beef system in Co. Mayo
From modest beginnings in 2016 when 10 calves were purchased, Jarlath and Austin Ruane have developed their calf-to-beef enterprise considerably over recent years.
25 July 2023
Alternative slurry amendments for cattle slurry storage
Agriculture is responsible for 37.5% of national greenhouse gas emissions and 99% of national ammonia emissions. Manure management contributes a substantial proportion of these emissions, 11.7% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and 78% of agricultural ammonia emissions.
24 July 2023