Beef
Proinnsias Creedon Future Beef Farm Update
Proinnsias farms with his wife Máire and sons Ciarán, Aodhán and Diarmuid. The farm is located in Barrathanaknock, Clondrohid, Macroom, Co. Cork. Here Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor, gives us an update on his farm.
22 May 2023
Building winter feed reserves with Future Beef farmers Eamon and Donnchadh McCarthy
Eamon McCarthy and his son Donnchadh are farming in Carrigeen, Glendine, Youghal, Co. Waterford. Both work part-time on the farm. Here Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor, gives us an update on nutrition and performance on their farm.
21 May 2023
The factors affecting bull fertility
David Kenny, Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Co. Meath, reports on some of the factors affecting the fertility of bulls.
21 May 2023
Come see what is new at Newford suckler farm
The Newford suckler farm is a suckler calf-to-beef demonstration unit located in Athenry, Co. Galway. The farm was established by Teagasc and Dawn Meats, with the support of the Irish Farmers Journal and McDonald’s in 2015.
20 May 2023
Controlling docks with Future Beef farmer Michael McGuigan
Michael McGuigan has worked hard to control docks on his farm. Docks are the major weed of intensively-managed grassland. Despite the best efforts of many farmers to control them, their persistence is stubborn and unyielding.
19 May 2023
Ticking the beef breeding boxes down Wicklow way
Located just outside Aughrim, Co. Wicklow, John Pringle operates a mixed suckler and sheep farm on 62.48ha of grassland. The suckler herd consists of 45 mainly Simmental-sired cows, while a lowland flock of 225 ewes are also carried.
19 May 2023
Reminder: Deadline for SCEP applications approaching
Applications to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) will close early next week.
18 May 2023
Newford Farm update and preview of the open day
Donall Fahy of Newford Farm joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to provide an update on the Newford Farm and to preview the upcoming open day on Tuesday, 23rd May from 2-6pm.
17 May 2023
Mid-season dosing for dairy-bred calves
Dairy-bred calves may have been at grass for 5-6 weeks. Despite the poor weather, lungworm and gut worm exposure may result in the requirement for treatment for these animals at this stage of the year, Alan Dillon, DairyBeef 500 Campaign Co-Ordinator tells us more.
17 May 2023
Safety during silage season
Francis Bligh & John McNamara, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialists, highlight what you should keep in mind this silage season to ensure safety on farm
17 May 2023
Making quality silage to offset the rising meal price
It is difficult to predict next winter’s concentrate prices. Beef farmers who have been growing or finishing cattle will need to offset the rising meal price by improving the quality of silage they make, which will allow them to feed less meal per head, while still achieving target growth rates.
16 May 2023
Breeding management and fertility - the main factors to consider
A key aspect of running an efficient suckler system is good breeding management and herd fertility. Cow nutrition, bull fertility, the incidence of calving difficulty and herd health are some of the main factors that affect fertility in the herd.
13 May 2023
Diary date: Major open day at Newford
Teagasc and Dawn Meats, in collaboration with the Irish Farmers Journal and McDonalds, are delighted to welcome all farmers and stakeholders in the beef sector to the Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm Open Day on Tuesday, 23rd May in Athenry, Co. Galway from 2pm-6pm.
12 May 2023
Readjusting the silage plan with Future Beef farmers Michael and Niall Biggins
Changeable weather during the months of March and April delayed the closing of silage ground on most drystock farms, which may result in a later cutting date.
12 May 2023
Salesian Agricultural College launch organic conversion plan for drystock enterprise
The Salesian Agricultural College’s proposed conversion of their beef and sheep unit to organic was officially launched at Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick today, Thursday, 11 May 2023.
11 May 2023
What you can expect from and the requirements for a Bord Bia audit
With 95% of beef Quality Assured at point of slaughter and 54,000 audits taking place on Irish beef and sheep farms, Damien Murray, Operations Co-ordinator Origin Green with the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme, busts some myths around the audit on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.
10 May 2023
Newford Farm Update
On Friday, 5th May the IDA announced that Dexcom, Inc., a global leader in continuous glucose monitoring for people with diabetes, plans to build its newest global manufacturing facility in Athenry, Galway.
09 May 2023
BovINE - European beef farmers learning from each other
From all points of the compass, beef farmers have discovered that they share the same challenges - environmental, social and economic sustainability.
06 May 2023
Future Beef Update: Moving from challenging grazing conditions to a surplus position
Wesley Browne farms full-time in Leagh, Dunraymond, just outside Monaghan town on heavy, drumlin-type soil, which is typical of the area. The farm size is 65.7ha and is fragmented into four main grassland blocks.
05 May 2023
Ministers McConalogue and Heydon announce scientific breakthrough in reducing methane emissions
A scientific breakthrough in reducing methane emissions has been announced.
04 May 2023
Monitoring a young bull’s performance throughout the breeding season
The breeding season has just commenced or is just around the corner for many spring-calving suckler herds. One of the key elements to success is ensuring the bull – particularly a young bull introduced to cows for the first time – is completing the task of covering cows successfully.
03 May 2023
Your questions on the EuroStar Index and SCEP answered
On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Niall Kilrane from ICBF discusses the EuroStar Index and queries relating to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP).
03 May 2023
Watch: Reaping the benefits of red clover with Future Beef farmer Ken Gill
Farming full-time in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly, Ken Gill operates an organically-certified beef and tillage enterprise, along with 22ha of forestry.
03 May 2023
Selecting beef heifers for breeding
The breeding of suckler cows is changing significantly, explains Colm Kelly, B&T Drystock Advisor, Galway/Clare. Like many changes it is slow at first and then a lot happens very quickly.
02 May 2023
Reminder: Have you applied for the dairy beef weighing scheme?
The National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme – a measure that rewards farmers for recording weights of dairy beef animals - will soon close to applications.
01 May 2023
SCEP: The steps to becoming a Bord Bia approved member
John Galvin, Teagasc Drystock Advisor in Galway/Clare, explains why farmers should apply for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) and provides details of becoming Bord Bia approved - a key requirement of SCEP participation.
29 April 2023
A journey to improve dairy beef profits in Donegal
Operating a combined dairy beef and tillage enterprise in Drumlougher, Co. Donegal, Gareth Peoples is on a journey to improve the profitability of his beef farming business.
29 April 2023
Breeding season commences at Newford
The latest Newford Farm Update provides details of the breeding season, which commenced on April 24th. Donall Fahy, Technician at Newford, also gives an update on grassland management and plans for a major open day later this year.
28 April 2023
Planning your silage strategy – tips for making quality bales of silage
Although grazing conditions were excellent on many farms during the month of February, with many taking the opportunity to get stock out to grass early, unsettled conditions in March and April did delay grazing plans for many.
28 April 2023
Planning your silage strategy - factors affecting silage quality
As part of a three-part series on planning your silage strategy, Teagasc Beef Specialist Martina Harrington discusses the factors that affect silage quality on your farm.
27 April 2023