Meat Quality Village in Beef 2022
Our beef is regarded in many markets as a premium product because of our high forage diets, traceability and ever improving sustainability. Here, Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist introduces the Meat Quality Village, which is part of the Teagasc Beef 2022 open day at Grange on July 5th.
With our beef open day Beef 2022 on July 5th in Teagasc Grange less than two weeks away preparations are well underway to ensure that we give a comprehensive overview of where the sector is currently and how policy changes and inflated input prices will effect producers in the future. Although various aspects of research and management of beef cattle will form a major focus there are a number of villages that will focus on the specifics.
One such village is the Meat Quality Village which will focus on the end product. Our beef is regarded in many markets as a premium product because of our high forage diets, traceability and ever improving sustainability.
Bord Bia
Bord Bia will outline the sustainability and carbon footprint of Irish beef as well as their Sustainable Beef & Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS). If you are already participating in SBLAS you will have an opportunity to discuss the carbon footprint of your farm and how it can be improved.
Learn about how gaining PGI status for Irish Grass fed Beef could improve international market access and potentially deliver better returns to Irish beef farmers. Bord Bia will share the positive feedback received on a recent major consumer focussed study on the ‘Irish Suckler Brand’ as well as plans for its rollout to the market. They will also detail the ever shifting profile of our beef exports.
Some weanling producers who up to this point have not joined SBLAS will have the opportunity to discuss what they need to do join the scheme in advance of entering the new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) which will come on stream as part of the new CAP next year.
Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown
Researchers from Teagasc Food Research Centre at Ashtown will highlight some of the latest work on ageing of beef, biomarkers to aid with better eating quality, traceability and identification of defects such as dark cutting and how further value can be added to meat co-products, ultimately providing a greater return on the value of the animal.
Meat Technology Ireland (MTI)
Meat Technology Ireland will also be present to highlight the excellent industry focussed collaborative research programme that they are carrying out in conjunction with key industry stakeholders and Enterprise Ireland
Demonstrations
Not to be outdone by the excellent demonstrations in all the other villages the Meat Quality Village will hold three key demonstrations.
1. What is involved in joining SBLAS?
The first demonstration will be all about how SBLAS helps differentiate Irish beef in the market as a premium sustainable product. Many weanling producers who will look to participate in the new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) in 2023 will be required to sign up to SBLAS before the end of the year so the demonstration will go through the key aspects of what is required to join the scheme and tips and advice on successfully completing the initial audit.
2. Beef Markets
With beef prices at an all-time high, Bord Bia market experts will give an overview of the overall global beef market. They will inform us on what has been driving demand and provide insight on to how prices may play out for the remainder of 2022. They also have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the live export trade. All vital information to help you decide what the best options might be for your business, going into the autumn.
3. Master Butcher Demo
A master butcher will show attendees where all the various beef cuts are derived from the carcase and their respective value.
BEEF2022 Open Day
Why not join us for BEEF2022 on Tuesday 5th July in Teagasc Grange, where you can visit the Meat Quality Village and meet with the personnel involved. It is a free event and a day not to be missed!
Teagasc Grange is in County Meath, on the R154 Dublin-Trim road, about 35 km NW Dublin, 9 km from Trim, 8 km on the Trim side of Batterstown. EIRCODE: C15 PW93
Further information on all aspects of the open day can be found at Beef 2022 Open Day