The Beef Edge
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DairyBeef 500 Manager, Alan Dillon, is on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast with some tips for rearing calves at this time of year, the financial performance update for 2023 as well as slaughter performance. With a difficult spring to get cattle out to grass on programme farms, Alan outlines the plan at the moment with some cattle going to be kept in and finished from the shed due to difficult grazing conditions. Sourcing calves this spring there is big variation on price and delay of calves. Alan outlines some key tips for rearing calves up to weaning. The profitability for 2023 was on average €542/Ha. Alan outlines the slaughter performance for 2023 across the different categories of stock Fr, AA/HE, heifers and steers. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
Ken Gill operates an autumn calving, organic suckler to beef system located in Co Offaly and he joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to explain his system. He has 73 suckler cows calving from the end of July to mid-September and all progeny are brought to beef with the aim to slaughter at 24 months. Ken says that one of the big changes he had to make when converting to an organic system was in relation to housing on the farm. Being organic means that crop rotation is vital to ensure the continued health of the soil and to aid weed suppression. Oats are grown for sale, with a small quantity retained for feeding on the farm. Red clover/perennial ryegrass is grown for quality silage and winter fodder crops are also sown in certain areas of the farm. 100% A.I. is used to avail of the best genetics available, with visual being the main heat detection aid. Ken offers advice for farmers considering an organic system and says that it is a profitable system for him. Ken will also feature in the first of a three part Future Beef webinar on Wednesday 20th March at 8pm. On Monday, March 25th at 8pm the webinar will focus on getting your cow back in calf and on Wednesday March 27th at 8pm the webinar will focus on genetics for the future. Further webinar details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/events/ You can read more about Ken’s system here: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/farmers/ken-gill/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
When it comes to this time of year, the question of doing an agricultural course arises and with so many on offer it can be difficult to decide what Teagasc course suits best. On the latest Beef Edge podcast, Teagasc education officer, Serena Gibbons, discusses the range of Teagasc education courses that are available and how you can apply. Log on to www.teagasc.ie/education http://www.teagasc.ie/education where you can find lots of information and also contact details of the education officers in each region. There is also a webinar at 11am on March 20th on land based apprenticeships and the details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/land-based-apprenticeships-live-webinar.php For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
This week it’s a joint episode between the Beef and Dairy Edge podcasts with dairy farmer Paul Delaney joining Emma-Louise Coffey & Catherine Egan to discuss the importance of genetics in the dairy-beef system to maximise performance and profitability. Paul first gives an overview of his system. Two thirds of the cows are calved to date and Paul has used a number of continental sires to breed top quality calves. Paul previously was a suckler farmer prior to converting to dairy in 2015. While selecting sires for gestation length and calving difficulty he has no issue with the sires he’s selected while focusing on beef characteristics. He puts a huge value on having two customers for calves that return year on year. Paul also discusses the value of good calf genetics can have on the whole process from calf birth to finish and further in the processors. For further details on the DairyBeef 500 campaign: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/dairy-calf-to-beef/dairybeef-500/ More information on the Dairy Beef Index is at: https://www.icbf.com/dairybeef-results/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
With a difficult spring leading to challenging grazing conditions, Teagasc Grass10 Manager, John Maher, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with his top tips in relation to grassland management this spring. John discusses the current soil temperatures and grass growth across the country and on farms where grazing has been delayed and very little grazing has taken place to date, John explains what the key steps are to get stock to grass in the coming weeks. John highlights the grazing targets to hit to avoid having too much grass left at the end of the rotation or having too much grazed. Slurry has been spread on most farms and for those planning to go with slurry in the coming weeks John advises this should be applied on silage ground. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
With calving season underway in the Newford herd, Teagasc Newford farm technician Michael Fagan is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into changes on the farm, preparation in advance of calving and a review performance of the herd. Michael discusses the big changes on Newford farm since we spoke last with the cows being moved from Athenry to Roscommon. As the farm operated a tillage and beef enterprise, Michael discusses the work involved in making paddocks, reseeding and making pens before calving. So far just over 40 of the cows have calved and Michael discusses their performance. Michael also discusses how the yearlings on the farm are performing and the performance of the cattle finished before Christmas. Obviously heavy rainfall the past few weeks has hampered any chances so far of starting the grazing plan this spring. Soil samples have been taken and analysed and slurry and fertiliser is being applied accordingly. Further details are at: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/beef/newford-herd-settled-into-new-home-in-roscommon.php FARM WALKS Coming up……DairyBeef 500 farmer, James O’Sullivan, Union Hall, Co. Cork will host a farm walk on Tuesday, 27th February @12pm, while Gareth Peoples, Co. Donegal will host a walk on Tuesday, 5th March @2pm. Topics covered will be focusing on grassland management, silage preparation, fertiliser spreader calibration and calf management at purchase. For further details go to: www.teagasc.ie/DB500 http://www.teagasc.ie/DB500 For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
John Donlon who gives advice and tips for caring for the new born calf. John outlines the best practice for when the calf is just born such as feeding colostrum and care of the navel. He also describes the key tips when stomach tubing a calf. Regardless of a suckler or dairy beef system, there are a number of ailments that can arise and John has important advice for management from a health perspective for a number of conditions and diseases. Don’t forget as well to listen back to last week’s episode on managing the cow before calving and calving the suckler cow. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
On this week’s Beef Edge podcast, it’s the first of a two-part episode with Teagasc Researcher and Vet, John Donlon, who gives his insights and top tips in relation to managing the cow before calving and calving the suckler cow. Calving will be taking place on farms over the coming weeks and John discusses the nutrition to be aware of in the final stages with mineral and vitamins and ensuring that cows are fit and not fat. John then discusses giving assistance at calving and about the presentation of the calf and essential items to have ready. Finally, he describes using the calving jack and some of the key things to be aware of. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
January is a good month to review your 2023 financial performance before you start focusing and putting a plan in place for 2024 and on this week’s joint episode with Ciarán Lynch from Teagasc’s Ovicast sheep podcast, we discuss financial management tips on drystock farms with Teagasc Financial Specialist Kevin Connolly. Kevin first outlines the benefits of completing a profit monitor. He discusses the data that’s required and how farmers make use of the data for their system. Kevin explains the reports that can be developed and the importance of benchmarking the farm as volatile market or weather conditions can really impact financial performance One year is a starting point and after completing it for 3-5 years it enables the farmer to develop a plan with their advisor to make decisions on the system, on farm investment and future direction of the farm. Further details are available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/financial-analysis/farm-profit-analysis/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
Dr.Siobhan Kavanagh from the Signpost Programme is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss what areas you can focus on to make your farm more sustainable in 2024. The Signpost programme is a multi-annual campaign to lead climate action by all Irish farmers. The programmes aims to achieve early progress in reducing gaseous emissions from Irish agriculture and to also improve water quality, maintain and in some cases improve bio-diversity, reduce costs and create more profitable and sustainable farming enterprises. There are two elements to the programme: - A network of Signpost Farms, which will act as demonstration farms for the programme and sites for carbon sequestration measurements. These will point the way forward towards climate smart farming, and are central to the second element - The Signpost Advisory campaign which will engage with all farmers and support them to move towards more sustainable farming systems Siobhan discusses a number of actions such as using protected urea in 2024. Applying Lime and slurry using LESS and incorporating clover are discussed as ways to improve soil fertility and reduce dependence on chemical fertiliser. Improving grassland management on the farm is important by utilising grass with a paddock system, walking the farm weekly and extending the grazing season to reduce emissions. Siobhan discusses having a good herd health plan, breeding policy and reducing the age at slaughter and the impact these have on reducing emissions. Find your local Future beef farmer here: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/farmers/ Find your local Dairy Beef 500 farmer here: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/dairy-calf-to-beef/dairybeef-500/farmers/ You can also subscribe for the newsletter at the following link: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/signpost-programme/newsletter-subscription/ If you would like to apply for the sustainability awards, the form is at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/signpost-programme/sustainability-awards/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
Teagasc Cattle Specialist, Niall Kerins, is on this week’s Beef Edge Podcast with an update on the nutrient management legislation and developing a nutrient management plan for your farm. The Nitrates Action Programme underwent a number of changes last year, with stronger measures introduced for the protection of water quality. There were a number of changes in particular that all farmers with a grassland stocking rate above 130kg of N/ha must take soil samples. In addition to this, for arable farmers, all sown arable land must be soil sampled. Further details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/environment/6-key-changes-to-nitrates-regulations-for-2023.php Niall also mentions that soil sampling is mandatory on all farms participating in ACRES. Niall discusses taking soil samples and the importance of developing a nutrient management plan with their advisor. The opening date for spreading slurry is this week for a number farmers depending on the county that the farm is located in: - Farmers in Zone A will be permitted to spread organic fertiliser (both slurry and farm yard manure) from Saturday, January 13th - Farmers in Zone B will be permitted to spread organic fertilisers from Tuesday, January 16th - Finally, farmers in Zone C will be permitted to spread organic fertiliser from Thursday, February 1st The end of the closed period is not essentially a ‘green light’ for farmers to go out spreading slurry, and weather conditions should be looking favourable before slurry spreading goes ahead. Niall advises how farmers can best maximise the value of slurry nutrients, including using slurry on silage ground. There are numerous benefits of using Low Emission Slurry spreading techniques. With very high prices for fertiliser over the past number of years, Niall outlines the prices that are expected in the coming year. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
With calving kicking off on many dairy farms, on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 advisor, Tommy Cox, discusses the key areas you need to focus on from sourcing calves and rearing up to weaning. There are over 2,500 calves reared across the country on dairy beef farms and Tommy highlights that, in addition to the physical health of the calf, it is important to look at the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) to get an insight into the genetic make-up of the calf. After transporting the calf, electrolytes are given for its first feed and the calf is monitored. Tommy discusses the feeding regime and getting the rumen set up for the grazing season ahead. While ventilation is important in the calf shed it is critical to avoid any draughts. Early diagnosis and disease prevention are important to the lifelong health of the calf. Tommy outlines a number of protocols being carried out on farms. The welfare & safety of the farmer has to be addressed also and Tommy discusses ways to reduce labour and stress and increase safety in the system. CALFCARE EVENTS CalfCare events are held each January to keep farmers informed of best practice husbandry and management practices to deliver best performance from calves in their care. Rearing healthy calves has always been the focus of CalfCare events and 2024 will be no different, but for the first time, a new dimension will be introduced as beef farmers rearing dairy beef calves will host some of the events. Both beef and dairy farm performance is built on the foundation of good calf rearing and all farmers rearing calves are encouraged to attend to prepare for 2024 rearing period. Topics to be discussed include: - Calf health management - Managing calves for sale - Optimal calf housing - Pre-weaning nutrition For further details visit: https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/CalfCare-Events/ UPCOMING DAIRYBEEF 500 WEBINARS The first webinar is taking place on Tuesday, 16th January, and will focus on Preparation for Calf Rearing in 2024, while the second webinar, taking place on Tuesday, 30th January, will focus on Sourcing and Feeding Dairy Beef Calves in 2024. For more, go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/dairy-calf-to-beef/dairybeef-500/events/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
Teagasc Cattle Specialist Aidan Murray is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into the outlook for the coming year and what farmers can expect. Farmers have seen only a minor reduction in production costs in 2023 compared with 2022 and Aidan reviews the 2023 performance from the outlook conference and discusses the outlook for 2024. Aidan highlights what’s expected in 2024 and explains some of the key requirements of SCEP and the actions farmers need to keep in mind this spring. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.LastCastMedia.com
For the final episode of 2023, Teagasc Researcher Peter Doyle is on this week’s Beef Edge to give a review of the Derrypatrick herd in Teagasc Grange in the past year. Weaning started on the 9th October and the weanling performance this year was: Males = 326 kg (1.3 kg/day) and Females = 305 kg (1.2 kg/day). The weanlings remained outdoors for another month post-weaning and they received 1 kg concentrates/head/day. The cows were body condition scored in December with an average body condition score of 3.0 and live-weight of 650 kg. Overall the 2023 breeding performance in Derrypatrick was very good. There was a 9 week breeding season with 87% of the cows scanned in calf. 85% of these are calving in the first 6 weeks. Grassland management and performance in 2023 was very difficult. Grass was measured on a weekly basis and recorded on Pasturebase Ireland. It yielded 12 t DM/ha. Peter also discussed the slaughter performance and explained that he will be establishing a grass clover group in the new year. For interested farmers, Peter can be contacted at peter.doyle@teagasc.ie. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com
Rupert Claxton, Livestock Director from GIRA Consultancy (UK), is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with his presentation from the Teagasc National Beef Conference giving an overview of the Global Beef Market and highlighting the likely trends for input prices as we move into 2024. Rupert’s presentation is available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/Rupert-Claxton/ Full conference details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
Anaïs L’Hote from the French Livestock Institute is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with her presentation from the Teagasc National Beef Conference discussing how farmers can be paid for reducing their carbon footprint based on the experience in France. Anaïs’s presentation is also available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/Anais-LHote/ Full conference details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
Dr Siobhan Kavanagh from the Teagasc Signpost Programme is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with her presentation from the National Beef Conference examining the main drivers of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) on beef farms and the steps that farmers can take to reduce them. Siobhan’s presentation is available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/siobhan-kavanagh/ Full conference details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com
As a bonus Beef Edge episode, Dr. Maria Guelbenzu from Animal Health Ireland (AHI) who presented at the Teagasc National Beef Conference, discusses the prevalence of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), and why Ireland needs to move towards a national eradication programme. Maria’s presentation is available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/Maria-Guelbenzu/ Full conference details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
This week’s Beef Edge podcast features Ellen Fitzpatrick from Teagasc Johnstown Castle who gave an interesting presentation at the Teagasc National Beef Conference describing how to make the most of a Low Input/High Output Dairy Beef system. Ellen’s presentation is also available here: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/ellen-fitzpatrick/ And full conference details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/beefcon23/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
It is expected that more than €1.8 billion in payments will be issued to farmers before the end of the year. Teagasc Advisor, Keith Fahy, based in Athenry Co. Galway, is on this week’s Beef Edge Podcast to outline some of the payment dates later this year. Keith outlines how BISS, CRISS, Eco-Scheme and ANC have started to be paid already or in the coming weeks. ANC advance payments commenced issuing to cleared cases since 17th October, while BISS and CRISS advance payments commenced issuing to cleared cases from 24th October; Eco-Scheme advance payments commenced issuing to cleared cases on 31st October Balancing payments across all the above four schemes and the CISYF payment will commence issuing to cleared cases in December 2023. The National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme, payments commence issuing to cleared cases from 4th December with Keith describing the requirements for the schemes. The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) and National Beef Welfare Scheme payments commence issuing to cleared cases from 11th December 2023. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
DairyBeef 500 manager, Alan Dillon, and programme advisor, Fergal McGuire, are on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the programme and they also discuss winter management on farms. Alan describes how the difficult weather conditions have decreased performance this year and it is important to get silage quality tested and balance rations accordingly. Fergal highlights that due to early housing this autumn, heavy covers will need to be grazed in early spring. Alan then outlines animal health treatments on farms this winter while Fergal describes the dairy calf to beef courses starting again in December. You can register your expression of interest for the courses at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/dairy-calf-to-beef/dairy-calf-to-beef-course/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
To explain the upcoming improvements that are being made to both the Terminal and the Replacement beef indexes, Teagasc Beef Enterprise Leader Paul Crosson, in Teagasc Grange, and Dr Margaret Kelleher from ICBF, are on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge. They discuss the changes being made and Margaret outlines how the replacement and terminal index have progressed over the past decade. Changes are needed to keep up with market prices as it is eight years since it has been updated. There are also new traits added to increase genetic gain. The impact these changes are likely to have on breeding choices over the coming years is also highlighted by Margaret. Paul focuses on changes to the replacement index particularly on the traits added and how these have impacted on the emphasis within the indexes. Paul will also discuss these changes in further detail at the National Beef Conference which will take place on Tuesday, 21st November in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, H53 F5P9 at 5pm. The theme of the conference is 'Improving our Beef Sectors Green Credentials'. Further details are here: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/national-beef-conference-2023.php Teagasc and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) held an online webinar which can be accessed here: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/breeding--genetics/improving-genetics/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
With farmers seven times more likely to have cardiovascular disease, on this week’s Beef Edge podcast, Catherine Egan is joined by Croí’s, Annie Costelloe, Head of Patient & Community Engagement, and Community Nurse, Caroline Dermody, to discuss tips and advice relating to farmer health. People usually think of cardiovascular disease as an older person’s problem but small changes matter and it’s never too late to start. Annie first discusses the background of Croí and the impact a demanding lifestyle such as farming can have. Caroline highlights the risk factors to be aware of and what can be done to decrease these risks. Annie explains what she has seen first-hand that comes up at the events they attend at marts and discusses the process and the benefits of taking just five minutes to sit and meet with the nurse. For further details go to: https://croi.ie/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
An Garda Síochána Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant John Fitzpatrick, discusses, on this week’s Beef Edge podcast, top tips and the steps you can take to reduce the possibility of theft on your farm. As the evenings are getting darker earlier, Sergeant Fitzpatrick says it’s an ideal time for farmers to review their farm security and he advises farmers on how to protect theft of livestock. Locking up and securing sheds and gates regularly should also be part of the day-to-day work on a farm. In relation to theft of farm machinery, he suggests a number of tips for farmers, while house security is also very important and John gives homeowners advice on how to best secure their home. Find out who is your local crime prevention officer: https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/who-is-my-local-crime-prevention-officer-/ And for further details visit: https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/community-engagement/crime-prevention-advice-on-farm-security.html For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
DairyBeef 500 farmer, Gareth Peoples from county Donegal, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his winter management on his dairy beef system. Gareth discusses the importance of good quality silage and matching the results with the correct protein percentage in the ration. Ventilation, feed space, lying space are also important he says, plus implementing the correct health plan on the farm is essential. Further updates from DairyBeef 500 are available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/signpost-programme/demonstration-farmers/dairy-beef-500/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
As part of Sustainability Week, on the latest Beef Edge podcast, DairyBeef 500 farmer, James O’Sullivan from West Cork, discusses the steps he’s taking to improve the sustainability of his farm by increasing animal performance and incorporating clover and multi-species on his farm. James highlights the steps he takes from purchasing calves and management on the farm. Maximising weight gain from grass is very important and James outlines the steps he takes to have good quality grass available. Having incorporated multi-species, white and red cover into his system, James highlights how the benefits have resulted in reducing chemical nitrogen whilst also maintaining yields. Going forward James intends to incorporate more of these swards on his farm. For more information go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/signpost-programme/events/sustainability-month-2023/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
With the housing of animals coming around again, farmers’ thoughts are turning to parasite control, and on this week’s Beef Edge podcast, Dr. Natascha Meunier, Beef Health Check Programme Manager with Animal Health Ireland, discusses the parasites to look out for and how to treat them, as well as top tips for housing this winter. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
Future Beef farmer, Proinnsias Creedon, gives an insight into his beef system and how he maximises performance over the winter. Proinnsias farms with his wife Máire and sons Ciarán, Aodhán and Diarmuid. The farm is located outside Macroom, Co. Cork and he is farming 33.31Ha of variable land with a good bit of rough grazing ground. There is a lot of heavy soil in the farm with some reclaimed over the past few years. The farm is in one block and is situated roughly 720ft above sea level and gets an average rainfall of 55-60 inches per year. It’s been a difficult few months and Proinnsias discusses how he is managing grass at the moment. The ground conditions have made it difficult for finishing heifers at grass this year resulting in silage being fed and heifers housed for a number of weeks. Proinnsias outlines his health plan on the farm and his selection process at housing weighing and penning stock according to weight. Gaining as cheap weight gain as possible is important, and Proinnsias says that lying space, ventilation, water and nutrition are important to maximise performance over the winter period. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss what beef price you can afford to pay for stock, what impact costs have on the bottom line and what price will be needed to cover these costs. Aidan first compares the figures to date to show that the national kill has decreased from the same time last year. While beef prices for purchasing are increasing, the variable costs have decreased since last year. Aidan then outlines a number of different beef systems and the expected prices. For a full breakdown of the beef budgets launched this week at the National Ploughing Championships visit Teagasc.ie https://www.teagasc.ie/. Contact your local Teagasc advisor to discuss further: https://www.teagasc.ie/about/farm-advisory/advisory-regions/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
As the grazing of the last rotation approaches, on this week’s Beef Edge podcast, Catherine Egan is joined by the Grass10 team, John Maher, Joseph Dunphy and John Douglas, with tips and advice. Grazing has been difficult nationwide however recent weather conditions have made a huge difference and John Maher says don’t be tempted to graze paddocks that are closed first in the rotation. Meanwhile, John Douglas and Joseph Dunphy advise on multispecies and clover swards. For further details visit: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com https://www.lastcastmedia.com/
