Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign
Since 2008, the number of suckler cows has reduced by approximately 285,000, while the number of dairy cows has increased by 481,000. In response to these changes, Teagasc have developed a new initiative which focuses on dairy-beef production. Get more information below from the DairyBeef 500 team*
DairyBeef500 Programme Advisor Sean Cummins outlines the new programme the clip below
Since 2008, the number of suckler cows has reduced by approximately 285,000, while the number of dairy cows has increased by 481,000. This change in the national herd has resulted in an increased number of beef cattle slaughtered being of dairy origin. Dairy-bred cattle accounted for 57% of the national kill in 2020, compared to 47% in 2010. Current trends in both dairy and suckler cow numbers indicate further growth in dairy-beef numbers. In 2019, 47% of dairy cows were bred to dairy sires while the remaining 53% were bred to beef sires. Of the beef sires used, 78% were either Aberdeen Angus or Hereford (45% Aberdeen Angus and 33% Hereford), with the remaining 22% being mostly continental beef breeds.
Of the approximately one million Irish dairy calves available for beef production annually, 350,000 are retained on dairy farms where they are finished or sold as weanlings/stores. A further 350,000 calves are moved/sold to beef farms where they are artificially-reared. Live export, mortality and early slaughter accounts for the remaining 300,000 calves. Over the period, 2015 to 2019, the ICBF identified that there was on average 10,000 beef farmers purchasing dairy-beef calves annually, rearing on average 37 dairy-beef calves per farm. One of the big issues over this period was the high attrition rate of farms rearing dairy-beef calves; only 39% of those who reared dairy-beef calves in 2015 were still doing so in 2019. Typically, 23% of farmers involved in dairy-beef production exited the system in any one year over that period.
DairyBeef 500 Campaign
In response to the changes in both dairy and beef systems, Teagasc have developed a new initiative which focuses on dairy-beef production. The DairyBeef 500 Campaign will incorporate a number of existing dairy-beef projects, including:
- Green Acres Dairy Calf-to-Beef Programme
- male dairy calf contract-rearing
- dairy calf-to-beef system evaluation study
- the evaluation of a range of beef sires used on the dairy herd.
Additionally, the initiative will collaborate with existing Teagasc programmes, which will include the new Teagasc Signpost Farm Programme and the Grass10 Campaign.
The DairyBeef 500 Campaign has set a target of €500 net profit per ha (excluding own labour and land charge). It is envisaged that the programme will consist of beef farmers operating a wide range of production systems of varying intensities. On ‘intensive’ farms, the objective will be to grow and harvest as much grass as possible, supporting high carcass output per hectare. On more ‘extensive’ farms, there will be a greater emphasis on maximising carcass output per head and on the provision of environmental ecosystem services with lower carcass output per hectare. The optimum mix will depend on the individual farmer’s circumstances and priorities.
*DairyBeef 500 team
Alan Dillon, Sean Cummins, Tommy Cox and Fergal Maguire
The DairyBeef 500 campaign is sponsored by Volac, MSD, Liffey Mills, Drummonds, Corteva and Munster Bovine, while the Ballyvadin Demonstration Farm in partnership with Dawn Meats and Shinagh Estates Ltd.