The Beef Edge

Pearse Kelly, Teagasc’s Head of Drystock, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into what’s in store at the Teagasc National Beef Conference which is taking place on 18th November in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, Co.Galway, starting at 5pm. This year’s theme is ‘Beef Farming 2025: Value, Profit and Renewal’, with a strong focus on producing high-value weanlings, managing farm profitability, and supporting generational renewal.  There are two action-packed sessions featuring expert speakers, farmer insights, and panel discussions: Session I: High-Value Weanlings – From Breeding to the MarketTime: 5.00pm Chair: Keith Fahy, Teagasc Drystock Advisor & Host of Country Life on Galway Bay FMSpeakers and topics include:·      Prof. David Kenny, Head of Animal & Bioscience, Teagasc Grange – Managing the suckler cow before and after calving for better fertility and performance·      Dr. Katie Quigley, Geneticist, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation – Understanding the myostatin gene and finding the right balance between muscling and calving ease·      John Barry, Future Beef programme participant, will share his approach to breeding weanlings in demand at home and for export·      Thomas O’Connor, Beef finishing farmer from Co. Kildare, will discuss what he is looking for when buying cattle to finish on his farm·      Brendan Egan, Manager, Castlerea Mart – What the market wants and how to meet that demand Following this, there will be refreshments and an opportunity to meet Teagasc advisers and industry stakeholders Session II: Beef 2025 and Beyond – Prices, Profits & Passing on the FarmTime: 7.15pm Chair: Damien O'Reilly, former presenter of RTÉ Radio 1’s Countrywide·      Rupert Claxton, Meat Director at GIRA – Global beef market trends, what’s driving prices, and where the market is going·      Trevor Boland, Beef Farmer & IFAC Accountant – Farm profits in 2025 and beyond: practical advice on tax planning and staying profitable Following this is a panel discussion on Generational Renewal – tackling the challenges and solutions of succession on Irish beef farms.  Panellists include:·      Dr. Emma Dillon, Teagasc National Farm Survey Economist·      Ruth Fennell, Collaborative Farming Specialist, Teagasc·      Trevor Boland, Beef farmer & IFAC Accountant·      Eamonn & Donnchadh McCarthy, suckler farmers from Youghal The evening wraps up by 8.45pm.  Experts from the following Teagasc programmes will be available on the night to answer your questions:·      Future Beef & DairyBeef500·      Teagasc Organic Team·      Signpost Programme·      Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme As International Men’s Day falls on 19th November, the conference will also highlight farmer health and wellbeing. There are information stands and free health checks with Croí, plus foot care advice and mental health supports, while local health initiatives like Healthy Galway and Taking Stock will also be present, offering resources and support. For further details: https://teagasc.ie/event/national-beef-conference/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast and to listen back to the other two episodes in the ‘Getting Winter Ready’ series, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

For the final part of the special series, ‘Getting Winter Ready’,  Natascha Meunier from Animal Health Ireland is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss ‘Health at Housing’.   As always, there  are liver and rumen fluke, lice and mites, and going in to housing, gutworms or lungworm (hoose) might still be problematic.  Natascha says to be particularly careful about lungworm as it has been ideal conditions over the last few weeks.  She outlines the products for treating worms and fluke and says the product is very important, particularly when it comes to performance over the winter.  Immature flukes keep growing and affect the animal’s performance, so Natascha advises that you might need to go in again a number of weeks later with the same type of product, or you could use a product that targets the younger life stage of the parasites.  Natascha then discusses the products to be used for biting and sucking lice and she also outlines the importance of a health plan for purchasing cattle on the farm. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast and to listen back to the other two episodes in the ‘Getting Winter Ready’ series, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

Grass10 Manager, John Maher, joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead. John discusses current grazing conditions and explains the different scenarios across the country. John discusses an action plan for closing up paddocks and he highlights the importance of being flexible and to ensure swards that are closed are not re-grazed again before winter. You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/  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 

James Strain, nutritionist with Inishowen Co-op, is on this week’s Beef Edge Podcast to discuss ‘Winter Nutrition’.  James highlights the importance of a good herd health plan which is key before looking at nutrition to maximise winter performance.  When assessing silage quality James explains Dry Matter Digestibility, Dry Matter, Crude Protein and pH, while he also discusses feeding rates to gain 0.5-0.6 kg/head/day on a weanling over the winter. When it comes to rations, James highlights at to look out for on the label, with ideally 5-6 main ingredients:-       Energy is the most important nutrient-       Protein is needed for growth Information is power – read the feed label carefully & speak with your merchant. For finishing farmers that have cattle housed, James explains what to look for in a ration and building up cattle on ad lib to be managed without any issues. When it comes to mineral inclusion rates James discusses what is important in a pre-calving mineral. Finally, James highlights the upcoming mart events taking place in Donegal on 22nd Oct at the Donegal Livestock Mart, 29th Oct at the Inishowen Livestock Mart and on 4th Nov at Milford Livestock Mart.  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 

In the first part of a three-part series, ‘Getting Winter Ready’, on the Beef Edge, Teagasc Beef Specialist, Niall Kerins, discusses ‘Winter Housing’. Housing is a key part of maximising winter performance, farmers can have the nutrition of the animal correct and the animal treated to have them healthy and yet still not be achieving 0.6kg/head/day over the winter period on weanlings. Space allowance is important to determine, how many weanlings/stores/cows should be housed per bay. Feed barrier spacing is often overlooked. Good ventilation is also critical, we often see sheds and maybe there is an issue even though you would think there’s loads of air coming in at either end of the shed. Draughts are just as bad, if not worse, than poor air movement and stuffy conditions.  Niall outlines what farmers can do to avoid draughts and assess sheds. Every winter a significant number of cattle are housed and fed in rented sheds. Niall outlines what are the key things to consider if you are interested in renting a shed. Further details at: https://teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/4-key-winter-housing-considerations/ 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 

Teagasc Beef Specialist, David Argue, is on this week’s Beef Edge Podcast to discuss beef markets and budgets.  David outlines current beef markets and highlights the national weekly kill has risen in the last week of September to 30,000/head.  David emphasises the importance of completing a budget tailored to each farm based on input costs and fixed costs of the farm Each budget calculates a breakeven selling price (cents/kg carcase weight) for that particular system and takes account of the purchase price and all the associated variable and fixed costs incurred. Any proposed margin per head will be additional to the breakeven price. It is important to remember that these budgets serve as a guide. It is recommended that each individual work out their own budgets in conjunction with their local Teagasc Advisor to best reflect their own farm situation. For more information:https://www.teagasc.ie/about/farm-advisory/advisory-regions/ Purchase prices are based on the prevailing market value at the time for weanlings and store cattle. Inputs required for finishing are also set at current market values. Further details available at:https://teagasc.ie/publications/teagasc-beef-budgets-2025-2026/ 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 

IFAC Accountant, Trevor Boland, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss financial planning and managing cash flow for the rest of the year. Suckler and beef farmers are currently receiving higher prices than ever before for their livestock sales, both through the live trade and through beef prices received from processors.  Trevor says that farmers need to be aware of what their farm profits are for 2024: what tax is payable on these profits and what the likely farm income is going to be for 2025? Many farmers in the past, Trevor explains, would look at income tax filing deadlines as a target and not need to worry about a tax bill, as quite often many, particularly farmers with off-farm income, found themselves with a low tax bill or indeed a refund.  But the IFAC review of 2024 figures to date and projections for 2025 show the majority of suckler and beef farmers across the country will not only have larger income tax bills than normal, but in some cases significant tax bills. For farmers looking at their 2024 figures and expected income for 2025, there are possibilities to reduce income tax bills, invest in the farm for the future, invest in family and make the farm a safer place to live and work.  Some options to reduce income tax bills include: Stock Relief, Family Wages ,Income Averaging Pension Contributions and Facility and Safety Improvement. 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 

Teagasc Farm Management specialist, James McDonnell, and Succession Ireland mediator, Clare O’Keeffe, join Catherine Egan and Ciaran Lynch on this week’s joint episode of the Beef Edge podcast and Ovicast to discuss all aspects of generation renewal, succession and mediation. James highlights the importance of Generation renewal while Clare outlines the importance of a mediator to aid the process. It is essential for every farmer to have a farm succession plan in place. There are complex legal and taxation rules that, if planned for, can be managed easily. If not planned for, however, there could be a major impact on the viability of the farm business. Teagasc run Transferring the Family Farm clinics every year. These clinics are designed to help farm families through the process and all aspects that need to be considered when transferring the family farm.  In 2025, clinics will take place at six venues throughout the country. Further details at:https://teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/succession-inheritance/transferring-the-family-farm/ If you missed the Generation Renewal Webinar , you can watch it back herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcKGV0E2InM 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 

Grass10 Manager, John Maher, joins Catherine Egan for this month's Grass10 update and he discusses the situation across the country, outlining the actions to take to develop an autumn rotation plan on farms Red/Yellow rust has started to appear on grass plants across the country and John discusses management at this stage of the year. You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/ 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 

Teagasc Researcher, Peter Doyle, is on this week’s Beef Edge Podcast with an update on breeding performance and grassland management for the Derrypatrick herd. Peter discusses this year’s calves’ performance and weaning management. Peter also outlines how he is managing red clover on the farm currently and how it has performed to date. Plus he explains the plan for finishing cattle and the current research taking place on the farm. 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 

On this special 300th episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Matt Dempsey, whose career spans multiple decades and various roles in agricultural journalism and beyond joins host Catherine Egan.   Matt has been instrumental in driving innovations in Irish agriculture through his work as a journalist, farmer and chairman of various industry groups and he gives his outlook for the Irish beef industry.  Matt discusses intervention, suckler incentive scheme, beef tribunal, BSE and Foot and Mouth to name but a few. Matte highlights the work done by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation as a significant breakthrough as well as the emphasis on easy calving, and also of marbling of beef. He also comments on the emergence of grazing management, fertiliser, and especially grass varieties and reseeding that have been revolutionary. Matt discusses a previous campaign that the Farmers' Journal and the IFA carried out in relation to Brazilian beef which succeeded in getting the actual import regime changed at Brussels level when the beef trade in Ireland and Europe looked as if it was going to be fundamentally undermined. A huge thanks to everyone that has appeared on the Beef Edge podcast over the past 300 episodes and to all the listeners for making the podcast such a success. Be sure visit us at the Teagasc stand at the Ploughing next week! 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 

Margaret Brennan, Assistant Principal Officer over Beef Schemes with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the new Beef Welfare Scheme announced recently and to give an update on all things scheme related. The objective of the Beef Welfare Scheme 2025 (BWS) is to further increase the economic efficiency of and enhance animal health and husbandry on suckler farms.  You can apply if you: - are aged eighteen years or over on the date of submission of the application for participation- are the holder of an active herd number with Herd Owner Status. Herd Keeper is not acceptable- are farming a holding in respect of which a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Application is submitted in 2025 to the Department- are a suckler beef farmer i.e. have eligible calves born to eligible suckler cows in the period 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025- are an “Active Farmer” as defined in the Terms and Conditions There is one mandatory action that must be completed. You can select optional actions: Action 1 – Meal Feeding (Mandatory Action). Participants must introduce meal feeding for a period of 4 weeks pre-weaning and 2 weeks post-weaning to reduce the stress on calves at weaning time. Action 2 – Vaccination (Optional Action). If action 2, vaccination, is selected at application stage, participants must implement a vaccination programme against clostridial diseases and/or calf pneumonia in suckler calves and record details of the vaccination. Action 3 – Faecal Testing / Forage Testing (Optional Action). If action 3, Faecal Testing/Forage Testing is selected at application stage, participants must: carry out two (2) faecal tests (with a minimum of four (4) weeks between each test) for specified parasites and submit for testing or take three (3) forage samples and submit for testing. All sampling kits must be purchased no later than 13 October 2025. Participants will be presented with the number of eligible calves born on their holding between 01 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 at application stage. Participants will have the option at application stage to select the number of calves for participation in the scheme. Rate of payment:Action 1 – Meal Feeding (Mandatory): the rate of payment is €35 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves.Action 2 – Vaccination (Optional): The rate of payment is €15 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves.  Action 3 – Faecal Testing / Forage Testing (Optional): The rate of payment is €25 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves. Payments will commence to cleared cases in December 2025. Applications must be made on agfood.ie The closing date for applications is 23.59:59hrs on 24 September 2025. You must read the Terms and Conditions for full information.  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 

DairyBeef 500 farmer, Peter O'Hanrahan from Co. Kilkenny, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his dairy beef system, grassland management on the farm and the upcoming farm walk taking place.  Peter explains how calves are sourced from five farms within 15 minutes of his own farm. They are reared on automatic feeding system which he discusses in detail . They are grazed in two groups with lighter calves forming a third group and rotated every 3 days in a paddock system. Currently, calves are performing well gaining 0.84kg/head/day. Stores will be weighed at the end of the month and drafted for feeding indoors. This year’s silage quality is very good at 72-275DMD which will reduce the concentrates to be fed over winter.   Peter also describes the excellent handling unit facility that is used to easily handle large groups of cattle and labour safely and efficiently. The DairyBeef 500 farm walk on Peter’s farm takes place on Thursday, 4th September at 6pm and the address is: Kiljames, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 N25H. All aspects of the O’Hanrahan’s dairy calf to beef system will be on full display and for further details go to:https://teagasc.ie/event/dairybeef-500-ohanrahan-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 

Future Beef farmer, Michael Biggins from Co Mayo, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his suckler beef system, weanling management on the farm and the upcoming farm walk taking place on his farm.  Michael farms with his son Niall in Ballynalty, Headford, Co.Mayo and he gives an overview of his spring calving suckling to weanling system.  All suitable heifers are kept on the farm for breeding and those not kept are sold. This year AI was used on over half the cows as well as a synchronisation programme. Michael discusses the experience and the selection of ai sires used on the farm.   Given the current prices and market maximising weight gain is more important than ever , calves are being creep fed concentrates to maximise weight gain for sale as weanlings. Maximising quality grass in the diet is important and Michael discusses the plan to build covers into the autumn. The Biggins family will host the National Future Beef farm walk on Wednesday September 3rd @6pm.  The focus of the event will be ‘Running a profitable weanling system in Mayo’. Topics to be discussed include:·       How to make a weanling system profitable·       Learn about AI, synchronisation & sexed semen·       Maximising cheap weight gains with grass & red clover·       Bonus Insights: Water quality, soil health, demos for TAMS eligible equipment, biodiversity & more Find out more about the FutureBeef Programme at:https://teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/ 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 

Grass10 Manager, John Maher, joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead. John discusses current grazing conditions and explains the different scenarios across the country. He also details an action plan for dealing with drought, deficit and surpluses and he highlights the plan for the weeks ahead to ensure quality swards are available for building covers going into the autumn. You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/ 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 

The winner of the Drystock Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year, Peter Byrne from Co Kildare, and Dairy Beef 500 advisor, Fergal Maguire, are on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss Peter’s dairy beef system, grassland management on the farm and the upcoming walk taking place there.  Peter’s current system is 19- 22 month heifers and 22-26 months steer beef. Up until 2008, he was running a suckling to beef and sheep enterprise on the farm, alongside a tillage enterprise. Over time, the farm has transitioned away from suckler and sheep production to a calf-to-beef enterprise. Peter has placed a huge focus in recent years on reseeding and increasing clover on the farm to reduce chemical N being used. Soil fertility on the farm is good with pH being targeted over the years especially. Grazing Infrastructure is important with four grazing groups currently on the farm, rotated every 2-3 days. Join us on Thursday, 21st August at 6:30pm for the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Farm Walk on Peter Byrne’s farm at Newtown, Castledermot, Athy, Co. Kildare, R14 R763. Further details at:https://teagasc.ie/event/sgfoty-walk-drystock-winner/ 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 

Teagasc Climate and Sustainability advisor, Enda Geoghegan from Ballina Co. Mayo, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss actions implemented on farms that increase efficiency while reducing emissions and the recent findings from the Signpost Programme Report . Farmers participating in the Dairy Beef 500 and Future Beef Programmes are also part of the Signpost Programme and Enda explains how he liaises with the local advisors, programme advisors and ASSAP programme advisors in his role.  Enda outlines the importance of having a nutrient management plan, applying lime and correcting P and K within the farm gate, plus he highlights the importance of farm management practices on reducing emissions. The Signpost Programme Report highlighted how over 5,000 soil samples were taken on programme farms and how the number of beef and dairy beef farmers using protected urea has increased and Enda discusses how a number of small changes can have a significant impact. There will also be regional workshops taking place across the country in the autumn with further details from your local Teagasc office.  Further details on the Signpost Programme Report are available at:https://teagasc.ie/publications/signpost-report-2025/ For more on the Signpost Programme go to:https://teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/signpost-programme/  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 

Teagasc Head of Schemes Support Unit, Aidan Murray, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the upcoming scheme deadlines and the newly launched Long Established Young Farmer scheme.   The maximum payment for this is €5,000 per eligible farmer and Aidan discusses the criteria these farmers will have to meet to be able to apply. Further details are here:https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/services/scheme-to-support-long-established-young-farmers/ Aidan also discusses the deadlines in relation to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme and National Dairy Beef Weighing scheme. The 2025 Suckler Beef Welfare Scheme is expected to open for applications on 12th August and Aidan outlines the expected actions required. 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 

Mark Waters from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the National Genotyping Programme which has recently opened for applications. The National Genotyping Programme is a collaborative initiative enabling Ireland to take the first step in achieving a fully genotyped national herd, based on a cost-sharing model between the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, the beef and dairy industry and participating farmers.  Genotyping the national herd will provide a huge opportunity for both the dairy and beef industry to accelerate the rates of gain of our national breeding indexes (e.g. EBI, Eurostar & DBI), which will enhance farm sustainability & reduce carbon emissions. Mark outlines a number of benefits including:-       Labour-saving - farmers who sign up to the NGP will have exclusive access to Double Tissue Tags. By sampling animals at birth, farmers don’t have to wait for button tags or hair-cards for SCEP or Pedigree Societies and then round up and bring in animals for sampling at a later stage. It is also much safer and easier to tag and sample newborn animals than more mature animals-       Cost - herds accepted into the National Genotyping Programme will genotype any remaining ungenotyped breeding stock FREE. From 2024 to 2027 (inclusive), farmers will be required to genotype ALL calves born at a reduced cost of approximately €6. (This is an estimate and includes the farmer’s contribution of €4 towards genotyping, plus the additional cost associated with a double tissue tag and postage cost.). Herds participating in SCEP will only incur the €6/calf cost of those calves not counted towards their annual 70% SCEP genotyping requirement-       Parent verification - parentage errors (which currently sit at an average of 15% nationally) lead to incorrect Eurostar figures and create paperwork to correct once the animal is already registered. Genotyping at birth will confirm parentage & correct any errors before registration-       Genomic Eurostar figures - animals sampled at birth will receive genomic evaluations at the earliest possible opportunity, thereby increasing the reliability of their Eurostar figures well before they are selected or sold for breeding and confirming their eligibility for SCEP-       Commercial Beef Value (CBV) - genotyped weanlings and store cattle that are being traded through marts will have their CBV displayed on mart screens. Further information is available at: https://www.icbf.com/national-genotyping-programme/ Or contact the ICBF on email: query@icbf.com or phone: 023-8820452 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 

Grass10 Manager, John Maher, joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead. John discusses current grazing conditions and explains the different scenarios across the country. He also details an action plan for dealing with drought, deficit and surpluses and he highlights the plan for the weeks ahead to ensure quality swards are available for building covers going into the autumn. You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/  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