Teagasc support for Suckler Producers
Addressing concerns raised by beef farmers in recent weeks, Chairman of the Teagasc Authority, Liam Herlihy said; “Teagasc policy is to support all farmers with the enterprise and production system they select for their farm by providing them with the information they need based on the best possible independent research.
Teagasc support for Suckler Producers
Changing enterprise is a decision for the farmer. Our advisors work with farmer clients to improve the efficiency of their existing drystock enterprises. In the case of suckler beef production this means a focus on using better genetics, improving grassland management, addressing animal health issues, and delivering better financial and environmental results.”
He said; “The Teagasc Authority remains committed to suckler beef farmers, and to making the necessary investments in research, education and advisory to deliver the services we provide to cattle producers. Our policy is to carry out quality, independent research to support farmers and the beef sector.” Teagasc Chairman Liam Herlihy committed to working with farmers and other stakeholders in a proactive way, for the betterment of Irish agriculture.
Teagasc recognises the important contribution the Irish suckler herd makes to the agri-food sector and wider economy. Outlining his vision of the future for the sector, the new Teagasc Director, Professor Frank O’ Mara said; “I think there is a very strong future for suckler farming in Ireland. It’s a very important industry. We have 70,000 suckler farmers in the country. They produce a very high quality product and make an important contribution to every parish in rural Ireland.”
He continued; “There is a lot of demand for that product and certainly it’s challenged by profitability, but it’s a very resilient sector. Teagasc will continue to strongly support the suckler industry through our research, advisory and education programmes and I and my colleagues look forward to working with beef farmers and others to develop our vision and programmes.”
A new Knowledge Transfer programmes - a Future Beef programme to support sustainable suckler production, will be introduced by Teagasc this year. The Future Beef Programme will be the new Teagasc beef demonstration farm programme that will consist of 22 suckler and beef farms spread throughout the 12 Teagasc advisory regions. The programme will be managed by a Teagasc cattle specialist and will have two full-time Teagasc beef advisors working on it for the next 5 years.
Professor O’ Mara outlined the research support for the suckler beef sector; “We have just appointed two new researchers at the Teagasc beef research centre in Grange. We have committed significant resources to support suckler beef producers and that will continue. We have the Derrypatrick and Maternal suckler herds in Grange and the demonstration suckler herd in Newford, Athenry, and we have suckler herds at each of the Teagasc colleges.”