Beef Newsletter - November 2023

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In this month's edition:

• Teagasc National Beef Conference
  The Teagasc National Beef Conference will take place this year on Tuesday, November 21 in the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. The theme for this year’s Conference is “Improving our Beef Sector’s Green Credentials”. There is no charge for attending and it is an opportunity for all beef farmers to not only hear a number of very interesting beef talks, but also to meet with researchers, advisors and key industry personnel from both at home and abroad. Register to attend on www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23 
• Liver fluke – deciding your strategy
  When discussing what products should be used to control liver fluke there is often confusion among farmers on when the different products that are on the market should be used and how many times some of them have to be given. There is a very small number of products that contain triclabendazole that can control all the different stages of fluke in a beef animal from two weeks after housing.
• Enough pen space
  Have your cattle enough space for lying down in their pens? Where cattle are restricted in pens there will be a big impact on their performance over the winter. It is not uncommon to see pens of cattle that need to have two or three cattle removed to meet the optimum space requirements.
• Research update - Changes in multi-species swards
  Sarah Burke, Mark McGee, Paul Crosson and Edward O’Riordan examined multi-species swards: annual changes in botanical composition under rotational grazing at Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Co. Meath.
• 12 steps to reducing emissions
  Over 12 months, the Teagasc advisory newsletters will outline one action per month farmers can take to reduce their emissions. This month the focus is on step 11 - finish cattle earlier.
• Health & Safety - Chainsaw safety
  Chainsaw injuries involve cuts and lacerations to the limbs, neck, head and trunk. The major cause of timber-related fatal accidents is being struck by falling trees or branches while they are being felled. Appropriate training in chainsaw use and the wearing of suitable protective clothing to protect against these injuries is essential.