Beef

Greenhouse Gases – Innovative Farm Programme

The Innovative Farm Programme project aims to promote innovative livestock farming systems and associated practices to ensure the technical, economic, environmental and social sustainability of beef farms. Graham Waters, Naas Advisor and Ricky Milligan discuss the benefits of it on Ricky' s farm
30 May 2021

How to deal with late calving cows?

Are you worried about your Suckler cows calving too late in the Spring or even into early Summer? Achieving a 12 weeks calving season is a realistic target for most suckler farms, with 80% cows calved within 8 weeks. Niamh Lynch, Teagasc Advisor, Ballyhaise has tips to achieve these targets
28 May 2021

Agriculture and Water

Paula Browne, ASSAP Adviser, Teagasc Clare looks at ways to minimise losses of nutrients, sediment and pesticides to water from farming. A number of key considerations should be central to minimising any pollution potential to our watercourses and these are outlined here.
27 May 2021

Teagasc appoint Dr David Wall as Enterprise leader at Johnstown Castle

Dr David Wall has been appointed as the new enterprise leader at the Teagasc campus in Johnstown Castle. The enterprise leader role is to lead the management of the farms and estate in Teagasc Environment Research Centre to deliver the research programme, as part of the team led by Dr Karl Richards
27 May 2021

Could your Farm benefit from Alternative Fodder Crops?

In the next few months we will see farmers saving their winter feed. Grass growth last week from Pasturebase Ireland was 57kgDM/ha similar to the same week last year at 60kg DM/ha. Improvement is expected, however Keith Fahy, Athenry Advisor, looks at alternatives for farmers as a winter feed source
27 May 2021

Reviewing slaughter performance in Co. Kilkenny

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. Sean Cummins Teagasc Green Acres Advisor has detailed advice here
26 May 2021

Gearing up for grazing 2021

Weeks of poor grass growth leading to shortfall in grass supply versus demand has been difficult. As grass is now at or near heading stage, quality needs managing. Improving grazing infrastructure on farm allows better control of grass. Catherine Egan Beef Specialist explains exactly how to do this
26 May 2021

An update on the breeding season from the Derrypatrick herd

Derrypatrick herd Manager, Michael McManus, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the breeding season.
26 May 2021

Managing Margins with Nature in Mind

Thinking "outside the field" and managing the margins with nature in mind can contribute to the improvement of biodiversity on Irish farms. Aoife Leader, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, highlights some key actions that farmers can take to retain, maintain and enhance field margins for farmland biodiversity
26 May 2021

Grass10 Newsletter - 25th May 2021

Get the latest news & updates from the Grass10 team in this week's newsletter including: PastureBase data for the week for dairy, beef & sheep farms; updates on Grassland Farmer of the Year sheep and heavy soils farms; difficult grazing conditions & grass/clover trial update from Teagasc Clonakilty
25 May 2021

Slurry Storage, Have you enough?

The impact of dairy farming systems on the environment is of critical importance in gaining access to premium dairy markets that will return a good milk price to the farmer. Tom Curran, Regional Manager, Cork West and Tim Hyde, Environment Specialist, Teagasc discuss slurry storage as a key factor
25 May 2021

Improving your Financial Fitness can help manage tight margins

Having a good feel for the farm finances and what is happening on a farm or farm household is critical. This applies whether a farmer is expanding or just wants to ensure that they are in a good position to deal with whatever arises. Kevin Connolly, Teagasc Financial Management Specialist has advice
25 May 2021

Getting clover into the system – consider over-sowing?

Incorporating clover into a sward has multiple benefits in livestock systems and to discuss this in more detail on this week’s OviCast, Ciarán Lynch is joined by Dr Philip Creighton.
25 May 2021

Teagasc appoints new Organic Specialist

Teagasc has appointed Joe Kelleher as Organic Farming Specialist and he commences the new role today, Monday, 24 May 2021. He previously worked as a dairy advisor in the Limerick/Kerry advisory region. He joins Elaine Leavy as part of the national organic farming team in Teagasc
24 May 2021

Contract rearing male calves

Establishing a relationship based on trust and a good contract will benefit both owner and calf rearer. This is the advice of Gordon Peppard, Teagasc Collaborative Farming Specialist speaking about Contract rearing male calves.
24 May 2021

Results of Teagasc Protected Urea trial finds no residues

A new scientific paper was published in the past week with results from a trial on using protected Urea on the Teagasc farm at its Environment research centre, Johnstown castle. Irish farmers are being encouraged to switch from using CAN fertiliser to protected Urea, as part of reducing emissions
23 May 2021

Lowering the Carbon Footprint of Milk Production at Solohead Research Farm

Following rapid expansion there is an immense challenge to lower the environmental impact of dairy farming. At Solohead Research Farm we have designed and tested systems for lowering the carbon and ammonia footprints of milk production. James Humphreys, Researcher has details in a short video here
23 May 2021

Opinions wanted from farmers and vets

Farmers and vets working in the dairy, pig, beef and sheep sectors on the island of Ireland are being asked to complete a survey to provide their views on how antibiotics are used in agriculture.
23 May 2021

Improvements in animal health, welfare and product quality

Join Teagasc researchers on three Research Insights Webinars where they will discuss strategies to improve animal welfare, reduce the use of antibiotics and anthelmintics and improve milk quality.
22 May 2021

Unlocking Silage Potential

Silage quality ranges from 58% - 78% dry matter digestibility (DMD) nationally, but the average is poor at 65% DMD. Having silage of high quality (70% DMD+) will ensure good daily liveweight gains and cuts down on meal costs. Gabriel Trayers Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Tuam advises on high DMD silage
22 May 2021

Farmers are part of the solution - Biodiversity Day 2021

Saturday May 22nd 2021 is International Biodiversity Day. The theme for this year is: 'We're part of the solution'. We’re all part of nature, so we must be part of the solution for biodiversity loss and climate change. What actions can farmers take?
22 May 2021

Demonstrating profitable calf-to-beef pathways

Phase 2 of the Teagasc Green Acres Programme was launched to demonstrate best practice in calf to beef systems in order to maximise profitability. Now in year 3 with 12 commercially-operated farms enrolled, the changes implemented at farm level bear fruit. Sean Cummins, Green Acres Advisor outlines
21 May 2021

Growing Maize Silage Considerations

Eighty percent of maize in Ireland is grown specifically for the production of maize silage and can be used as a winter feed in both dairy and beef production systems. While grass is the most popular winter feed, Eamonn Dempsey, Teagasc Advisor outlines why maize silage might be worth considering
21 May 2021

"Bee kind" farming

Today is #WorldBeeDay and Teagasc encourages farmers to adopt "Bee kind" farming, to look at ways of improving habitats and enhance biodiversity to support wild bees on Irish farmland. In Ireland there are 77 solitary bee species, 21 bumble bee species and 1 honey bee species.
20 May 2021

The Signpost Series Webinar - Water Quality: the challenge of understanding and valuing it

On this episode of The Signpost Series, which took place on Friday, 14th May, Mark Gibson, Teagasc ConnectEd is joined by Bernie O’Flaherty, Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) to discuss water quality: the challenge of understanding and valuing it.
20 May 2021

Recap on BDGP, BEAM, BEEP S and Dairy Calf Beef Scheme

Even though we are in between CAP programmes, farmers in the interim will continue to be supported with a rollover for BDGP 1 and BEEP-S, as well as a new Dairy Beef calf scheme. Aidan Murray Beef Specialist has a reminder of some of the key requirements for the various beef programmes here.
19 May 2021

Grass10 Newsletter - 18th May 2021

Get the latest news & updates from the Grass10 team in this week's newsletter including: PastureBase data & grazing tips for the week; managing mid-season grass; grazing updates from farmers; William Burchill discusses mid-season nitrogen application & Pat Collins social media takeover on Wed 19 May
19 May 2021

Newford Notes - Week of 10th May 2021

Michael Fagan, Technician of the Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm, Athenry, gives a detailed update on how the breeding season is progressing on farm. So far 93% of breeding cows have been inseminated in the first 3 weeks of breeding. Tail painting is used and Michael outlines sire criteria here
19 May 2021

BDGP, BEAM, BEEP-S Update

Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the various beef schemes.
19 May 2021

3rd European Beef Carbon Farmers’ Network - Webinar

The 3rd European farmers’ network webinar took place on Tuesday, 4th May 2021. Innovative grass-based Irish beef producers gave an insight into how they're improving beef carbon footprint.
19 May 2021