Beef 2022 - Supporting Sustainable Beef Farming
Beef production is a significant enterprise on over 94,000 farms spread throughout Ireland, thereby making a key contribution to the Irish economy, particularly in rural areas. The theme for Beef2022 is 'Supporting Sustainable Beef Farming' Get information from the four main stands below
Selecting the most suitable system for your beef farm
The Irish beef sector is one of the most important indigenous industries in Ireland with cattle production accounting for 27% of gross output from agriculture and generating beef exports of approximately €2.3 billion.
Beef production in Ireland is characterised by having an array of different production systems. Many farms operate more than one system with others moving between systems depending on the market conditions from one year to the next.
Which beef system suits a farm or farmer, and the intensity at which it is farmed, will depend on a number of different factors. These include labour availability, facilities, land area and type, and economics. Every farm will be characterised differently when it comes to each of these factors and this will determine the choice of system and target stocking rate.
Performance targets for resilient beef production
- A major source of inefficiency in beef cattle production systems is failure to meet performance targets.
- Achieving high animal performance is critical if animals are to be slaughtered younger.
- Where key performance targets are not met, this has large negative ramifications for the profitability and environmental footprint of beef production systems.
Achieving performance targets on beef farms
- There will be significant increases in costs on beef farms in 2022; in two worked examples, cost increases of almost 40% are estimated.
- In these examples, increased output prices are unlikely to offset the increase in costs at farm level.
- The first step to managing 2022 is the completion of a financial budget that evaluates the financial performance of the farm during 2022.
- All options should be considered with the major focus on making greater use of grazed grass for the remainder of the year, and finishing animals at pasture prior to rehousing for a second winter.
The implications and options for increased costs on beef farms in 2022
- There will be significant increases in costs on beef farms in 2022; in two worked examples, cost increases of almost 40% are estimated.
- In these examples, increased output prices are unlikely to offset the increase in costs at farm level.
- The first step to managing 2022 is the completion of a financial budget that evaluates the financial performance of the farm during 2022.
- All options should be considered with the major focus on making greater use of grazed grass for the remainder of the year, and finishing animals at pasture prior to rehousing for a second winter.