5 reasons suckler farmers need to attend BEEF2024
BEEF2024, the Teagasc National Beef Open Day, taking place in Teagasc, Grange, Co. Meath, Eircode: C15 PW93, on June 26 will provide farmers with the necessary information and advice to optimise their suckler systems the entire way through from birth to finish.
Through a dedicated Suckler Beef Village, visitors to the open day will hear presentations on the key performance indicators for suckler systems, the role genetics can play in optimising the performance and financial reward of your farm, the importance of animal health, and the key factors to consider on animal housing and nutrition.
1). Selecting an appropriate system for your farm
No two Irish suckler farms are the same, with differences existing in farmer preference for cow type or system of production. At the main stand within the Suckler Village, Teagasc research, specialist and advisory staff will look at the performance, financial and environmental targets for the various systems in play – helping you make an informed decision on what system best suits your farm and the level of inputs required to optimise performance. The Derrypatrick herd will also feature, with an update provided on the latest research trial examining how white clover performs under suckler farming systems.
2). Animal health and fertility
Central to the development of a profitable suckler beef system is animal health and fertility. From calving the suckler cow - to which a calving simulator will be on-hand for practical demonstrations - colostrum management, herd vaccination programmes, key tips to minimise the stress at weaning and parasite control, BEEF2024 will offer suckler farmers the opportunity to learn more about best practice to reduce mortality and improve animal performance levels. On the back of the IBR testing element of the National Beef Welfare Scheme, Animal Health Ireland (AHI) will also be present to talk through your herd’s test results and to offer guidance on how best to manage in the case of a positive confirmation for the presence of IBR within your herd. Equally, a comprehensive overview of best practice in heifer, cow and stock bull management to optimise fertility will be covered together with clear advice on use of technologies including heat synchronisation and sex sorted semen.
3). Breeding
With changes to the Terminal and Replacement Indexes introduced in late 2023, Teagasc and ICBF staff will be present to discuss these changes, why they were introduced and how they can be used to your advantage when breeding a more efficient suckler cow.
The Replacement Index will be discussed at length, focusing on its key elements of: age of calving; milk; fertility; longevity; feed efficiency; and the production of a good calf. Details will be shared on how one-star cows compare to five-star cows on the Replacement Index in terms of retention in the herd, age of first calving, calf performance and the revenue realised from carcass sales. Staff from Teagasc and ICBF will also be on hand, sharing detailed advice on how best to match the cows in your herd to the most appropriate bull to suit your system of production.
Along with the focus on Replacement Index, the Commercial Beef Value - a new tool to help farmers make informed purchasing decisions – will also be detailed, with the differences between animals ranked highly and lowly on the CBV in terms of carcass weight, carcass conformation, feed intake and age at finish displayed.
4). Winter housing and nutrition
In terms of costs associated with suckler beef production, the winter housing period is typically the most expensive period on farms nationally. At BEEF2024, detailed information will be provided to optimise the performance of either weanlings, stores or finishing animals on your farm. Teagasc researchers will provide an update on the latest research in the areas of nutrition, floor space allowances, floor type, and feed space allowances – information that when implemented on your farm will increase animal performance levels and ultimately profitability.
5). Meet Future Beef Programme farmers
Along with the vast quantity of technical information pertaining to suckler beef production, BEEF2024 offers farmers the opportunity to meet some of the farmers participating in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme – a demonstration farm programme consisting of 22 farmers nationally focused on producing a quality product as efficiently as possible to make beef farming more profitable, while also making it more environmentally and socially sustainable.
Future Beef Programme participants will also feature in a forum at 1.30pm, where they will outline the progress they have made since they joined, and their plans to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact through the adoption of the latest technologies.
More on BEEF2024
To learn more about the latest research and advice for suckler farmers, please visit BEEF2024 at Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath, Eircode: C15 PW93, on June 26. The open day commences at 9am. There will be plenty of opportunities to engage with Teagasc researchers, specialists and advisory staff.