The Beef Edge

Teagasc researcher Dr. Peter Doyle outlines the impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.  This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th. Further details from Peter’s presentation are available at:Presentation: The impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems(PDF)Paper:The impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems(PDF) Watch a video recording of Dr Peter Doyle's presentation here:https://youtu.be/_yPqOPCMyDs  For further information on the conference please visit www.teagasc.ie/beefcon24 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

Health & Wellness coach, Shane Pearson, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss key tips to staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year. Studies show that many farmers experience poor mental health, high rates of burnout, and physical health issues related to stress and Shane highlights a number of resources available for farmers and which can be accessed at:https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2024/Positive-Mental-Health.pdf Farmers frequently face heightened stress during calving season, market preparations and inspections. By applying the 5 Ps of Resilience—Presence, Purpose, Power, People, and Preparation—farmers can build a solid foundation to handle stress, keep operations running smoothly, and sustain mental and physical well-being through each season.  Resilience isn’t about eliminating stress, it’s about having the right ‘shock absorbers’ to take each challenge in one’s stride, allowing farmers to manage their unique demands with greater ease and balance. Shane will be speaking at the Teagasc National Beef Conference which is taking place on 19th November in the Landmark Hotel Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, at 5pm.  Other speakers at the National Beef Conference include:·      Dr. Peter Doyle, Research Officer, Teagasc Grange, will outline the impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems·      Dr. Patrick Forrestal, Senior Research Officer from Teagasc Johnstown Castle, will discuss some practical nutrient management solutions that beef farmers can implement on their farms to increase efficiency, reduce costs and address environmental pressures facing the sector·      Dr. John Donlon, Research Officer, Teagasc Grange, will out outline ways to control pneumonia in suckler weanlings·      Eoin Ryan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will discuss the risks for Irish cattle farmers in relation to bluetongue·      Martina Harrington, Programme Manager, Future Beef Programme, Teagasc, will outline innovations from the participants of Future Beef Suckler Farms For further information go to: www.teagasc.ie/beefcon2024 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

Liam McWeeney and Noel Prunty from Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss the beef system, review of the performance to date and preparing for winter ahead. Liam first outlined the 32 cow suckler herd that is operated in a suckling to finishing system. Bulls are finished under 16 months and heifers are kept as replacements or finished under 20 months of age. The beef unit is 24ha of heavy soil type with some of the farm low lying.AI is used on the farm to breed replacements and a Charolais stock bull is also used. Breeding went well this year and it done over 9 weeks with 92% of the cows proving in calf. Bull weanlings were housed last week and are being fed 3kg/head/day of concentrates. Liam outlined the management up to finishing. Last year’s bulls averaged 390kg when finished at 14months of age. Noel outlined the management indoors in the coming months and performance of heifers born in 2023. Heifers calve at 24 months and Liam explained the management of the heifers to reach a target weight of 420kg by breeding, while Noel highlighted the importance of the herd health plan on the farm and over the housing period. For further information on Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/education/teagasc-colleges/ballyhaise/ 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  

Grass 10 advisor Niamh Doyle joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead. Niamh discusses closing up paddocks with 60-70% targeted to be closed by early November. She also outlines the targets for the month ahead to extend grazing and reduce demand to maximise days at grass. Drier than normal conditions continue to be predicted in the coming weeks which will help to extend grazing on farms. Temperatures are signalled to be closer to average, perhaps indicating a higher instance of night-time frosts.  Broadly settled conditions seem likely to continue with some mist and fog also. Conditions are likely to turn more unsettled with rainfall predicted to return close to normal and temperatures close to the average for mid-November. 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 Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey, discusses winter nutrition and diets on this week’s Beef Edge podcast. Aisling explains that beef systems are simple and it comes down to trying to maximise intake and growth whilst minimising stress and digestive upsets. A combination of factors ultimately decides how close you get to growing and finishing cattle to their genetic potential such as management, diet, housing, water and disease control. Aisling highlights the importance of taking a silage sample and discusses the targets to see in the report. Then based on the result, the concentrates are balanced.   Aisling also advises on the importance of energy and protein in the ration and for farmers to speak to their merchants about the ingredients to ensure high quality ingredients are included. She then explains the inclusion of minerals in diets and it is important to be mindful of the dilution of nutrients when including minerals or getting farmers to compare diets. Minerals contribute no energy, fibre or protein – just ash and vital trace and macro elements. 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 

Dr. Eoin Ryan, Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, gives an update on the Bluetongue Virus on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.  Since the end of August, over a hundred cases of Bluetongue have been detected in England and Wales and farmers in Ireland are hearing more and more about it.  Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas and other ruminants and camelids. Bluetongue does not pose a food safety or public health risk. It is spread between animals by biting midges. There are many different serotypes. Bluetongue virus 3 (BTV-3) is currently the most serious threat.  It has been spreading rapidly across north-western Europe since last autumn. The high-risk period in Ireland runs from spring until late autumn when midges are most abundant. Clinical signs include:-       Fever-       Inappetence (loss or lack of appetite)-       Drop in milk yield-       Reddening of the mucus membranes-       Sores on the nose, gum and dental pads-       Swelling of the face, lips and tongue (i.e. ‘bluetongue’)-       Breathing difficulties if the tongue swells-       Drooling-       Discharge from the eyes and/or nose-       Lameness-       Abortion or deformities in offspring/foetus In severe cases, death can result. Eoin advises farmers to be vigilant and to report any suspected cases to the local regional vet lab in order to prevent spread of the virus. There are huge steps being taken to prevent it and Eoin advises farmers against importing embryos or semen to decrease the risk. More information on Bluetongue can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s website at:https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cd6c0-bluetongue-virus/  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 

Bob Thomson, a New Zealand Farm Consultant specialising in sheep and beef, is on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss some of his insights into dairy beef in Ireland compared to New Zealand. Bob has a wealth of experience working in extension, consultancy and project management for the past 50 years.  He explains what he learned from the DairyBeef 500 farms he visited this week around the country and he describes the dairy beef industry in New Zealand, as well as the opportunities that he thinks could be implemented on Irish beef  farms.  Bob is also involved in a highly successful monitor farm programme in New Zealand and he highlights the impact it has had. 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 

Niall Kerins, Teagasc Cattle specialist, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss winter cattle housing arrangements.  Every winter a significant number of cattle are housed and fed in rented sheds. Whether you are the farmer renting out the shed or a farmer renting in the shed, there are a number of considerations for both parties. Fodder, labour and machinery running costs are often included in the agreements that are made. The payment rate per head is usually determined by local supply and demand, with arrangements in many cases going back over a number of years.  Niall outlines a number of questions regarding daily charge per head which depends on: • The type of animal being housed? • Is the forage being provided? • What quantity of meal is being fed? • Is straw bedding included? • Are labour and machinery costs included?  An individual cost per head per day can be included for each of these. Niall also advises contacting the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM) regarding movement of cattle rules. There should be no mixing of herds. Before renting the shed it should be clean, have good lighting, and gates and barriers should be working properly etc. When returned it should be clean, power washed and disinfected. It is important to set out the rules before the cattle are moved into the shed from who is feeding the cattle, what time will the cattle be fed, are meals being fed, is this once or twice a day, where is the meal to be stored, if drinkers/gates/barriers break who will fix them and who covers the cost etc. 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 advisor Niamh Doyle joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead. Niamh discusses closing up paddocks in rotation starting with the paddocks near the farmyard, the sheltered and the driest paddocks that will be grazed in early spring . She outlines the targets for the month ahead to extend grazing, reduce demand to maximise days at grass and aim to have 60% of the farm closed by the first week of November. 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 Financial Specialist Kevin Connolly is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the main headline items arising from Budget 2025, from tax cuts to increased spending. Kevin explains that the income tax standard rate bands have been increased by €2,000. The income tax rates (20% & 40%) have not been changed. There has been a €125 increase in the principle tax credits. The rate applying to the middle USC band has been reduced from 4% to 3%. There has also been a realignment of the bands. The three Stock Relief measures have been further extended Changes will kick in from 1 Jan 2025 to the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Retirement Relief upper limits with changes to the upper age from age 66 to age 70 where limits are reduced.  The €10 million limit applying to transfers from parent to child will also carry a longer clawback period to be complied with by the recipient.  The Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) thresholds have been increased with no change in the rate. A change has been made to Agricultural Relief whereby the Active Farmer conditions will also apply to the donor.  The VAT flat rate farmer addition rate is to increase from 4.8% to 5.1% from 1st January 2025.  There are also changes to the VAT registration thresholds. Additional funding allocated for specific measures relating to agriculture are:·      Sheep Welfare scheme: increase by €5 per ewe to total of €13 per ewe·      Beef Welfare scheme: increase by €25 per calf to total of €75 per calf·      Dairy Beef Scheme: increase by €20 per calf to a total of €40/calf·      Tillage Farming support: new €100/ha scheme supporting farmers to increase their area in tillage crops·      ACRES: additional €60m bringing total allocation of €260 million for 2025·      National Forestry Programme: €91 million in funding·      Multi-Species €1.25m / Red Clover Swards €1.5m — to support the planting of these swards·      Farm Safety: budget of €2.5 million to support initiatives·      Soil Sampling Scheme: continued funding of €6 million 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 

Following the launch of the Beef Budgets for 2024 at the National Ploughing Championships, Teagasc Beef specialist, Aidan Murray, has an update with all the details. Aidan compares the national kill figures to 2023 and discusses how have the prices changed in comparison to this time last year.  Aidan also highlights how the Irish supply of beef looks for the rest of the year.  Prices are good and there is demand around the ring at the moment for heavier type of stock with Aidan comparing changes in prices for different categories of stock. Plus, for farmers buying cattle at the moment and planning to finish them, he advises that it is important to be aware of the expected costs and price needed to cover it. The Teagasc Beef Budgets 2024/2025 are available at:https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2024/teagasc-beef-budgets-20242025.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 

Scottish beef and sheep farmer, Graham Lofthouse of Bankhouse Farm, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his mixed farming system. The farm is located 30km south of Edinburgh and is 200-300m above sea level.  The average rainfall is around 1,000mm. There are 470 ewes on the farm and 84 suckler cows.  Graham discusses how the sucker herd is managed from birth to weaning. Breeding and genetics is very important on the farm and Graham outlines the breeding policy.  Graham also discusses the cattle performance of the stock that were finished on the farm and compares them to the cattle that were sold as stores in 2023. Maximising weight gain from grass is essential with Graham describing the paddock system and leader follower system that he operates. 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 

Galway Future Beef farmer, Aonghusa Fahy, features on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on his farm system and management at weaning, plus he discusses the cattle from his farm that will be on the Teagasc stand at this year’s Ploughing Championships. Even though the weather has been challenging the weanlings have still performed well, Aonghusa explains. Weaning will take place in groups of 10. Concentrates have been fed to the calves for the past six weeks and they have been vaccinated to reduce stress at weaning. A lot of rain has fallen in the west in the past few weeks, yet grass management on the farm is good although it has been hard to manage quality. A steer and heifer from Aonghusa’s farm will be on display at the Teagasc stand at the National Ploughing Championships. The heifer will be kept on the farm and put in calf next year to calve down at 24 months. Over the coming months it will be important to maximise performance over the winter period to ensure they achieve 0.6kg per head per day.   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

It was a very challenging August this year and for the monthly Grass10 update, Niamh discusses how farmers have fed silage out over the past few weeks. Calves have been creep grazed in front of cows to break the bond and concentrates supplemented earlier as well as calves being weaned earlier in September versus late September. Supplement introduced 4 weeks pre weaning and will be continued 2 weeks post weaning and possibly longer on some farms. Most of the farmers in the Future Beef programme have scanned and given the difficult spring, overall scanning rates were good so various options are being discussed for empty cows to sell live and, depending on the farm where fodder is available, they will be finished on farm. Finishing stock have been housed and speaking with farmers they were lighter than cattle this time last year. They will be built up over the coming weeks and the plan is to have them finished before Christmas which will be a challenge on some farms due to the poor weather impacting on performance and late turn out last spring. Niamh also highlights the management of red clover swards in coming weeks and the key points for managing grass in the coming weeks are:·      Empty slurry tanks when possible·      Assess growth on farm versus demand·      Review fodder budget·      Visit ploughing stand to meet the Grass10 team and Teagasc staff   Niamh also advises the last day for spreading chemical fertiliser is 14th September. For more, 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/thebeefedgeProduced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Roscommon Future Beef farmer, Shane Keaveney, features on this week’s Beef Edge podcast discussing management of his suckler to beef system and the upcoming National Beef walk taking place on his farm on Wednesday, 11th September at 6pm. Shane explains that he farms with his wife Gráinne and 3 children and operates a suckling to finishing system with bulls finished under 16 months and heifers that are not kept as replacements sold as stores. Shane aims to finish the bulls at 680-700kgs at under 16 months of age and have a minimum fat class of 2+. He discusses the breeding performance on the farm and is hitting all the key performance indicators. Shane has targeted to reduce the age of slaughter by pushing the bull weanlings earlier and by feeding a high quality red clover silage over the winter. Shane will discuss his system, physical & financial performance in detail at the walk on Wednesday 11th September at 6:30pm. The focus of the event will be 'Opportunities in Suckler Farming'.  Shane will also detail how red clover is helping him meet his winter weight targets. Plus, the new EIP Island River Catchment scheme will be outlined to explain what opportunities there are for local farmers.  Castlerea Livestock Mart Manager Brendan Egan will discuss the beef market outlook for the coming months along with Anthony O'Dowd from Dawn Meats. There will be a number of industry stakeholder available to meet and discuss any queries you may have and refreshments will be served.  Further details at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/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

Aidan Maguire, DairyBeef 500 farmer from Navan, Co. Meath, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss management on his farm and his upcoming National Beef open day taking place on September 5th at 6pm. Aidan, alongside his son Luke, runs a dairy calf to beef enterprise on their farm, in conjunction with a contracting business. The farm stretches to over 70ha, with 54ha in grass and the remainder in forestry.   Up until 1999, Aidan operated tillage and suckler cow enterprises. Having initially changed to a calf to store system, Aidan then moved to a dairy calf to beef system through which approximately 100 calves were purchased and finished each year.  The predominant breeds purchased were Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Friesian animals. Annual calf purchases have now increased to 150-170, a mixture of autumn and spring-born. Even though the number of calves has increased, there has been no increase in health issues associated with the rearing of these extra calves. Since joining the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign, the Maguires source all their calves from four local dairy farmers and finish their heifers at around 18-19 months and bullocks at less than 24 months of age. The target is to have heifers at over 550kgs live weight at the end of the finishing period and for bullocks to be 600kg, leaving a minimum carcass weight of 270kg for heifers and 300kg for bullocks. On Thursday, September 5th at 6pm, Aidan Maguire will host a DairyBeef 500 farm walk and live forum on his farm. All are welcome to come along and see his dairy calf to beef system in action. On display on the evening will be his 2023 autumn born and 2024 spring born calves, yearling steers and heifers and his finishing animals. The theme of the event is ‘Making the winter gains‘, which will be of great interest to both dairy farmers and those interested in rearing dairy bred stock.  Topics on the day will include: Aidan’s current farming system and his financial performance; grassland management tips, including red clover swards; animal health; and winter feeding options for finishing and weanling animals. The DairyBeef 500 Farm Walk and Live Forum will take place on Aidan Maguire’s farm, Antylstown, Co. Meath, Eircode: C15 W4C2 on September 5th at 6pm and further details on the event are available at:https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/db500farmwalkliveforum.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

Billy Gilmore, Grass10 Grassland Farmer of the Year Drystock category winner, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his farm system and grassland management on his farm. In recognition of the award, Billy will host a farm walk on Tuesday, 27th August @ 6.30pm.  Billy, along with his wife Anne, operates a contract heifer rearing system rearing over 200 heifers a year. The system has changed over the years, from a mixed system, an autumn-calving suckling system, a spring-lambing flock and tillage enterprise. ‘‘I took over the farm at the age of 15,” Billy explains. “And shortly after, I remember I cycled to my first farm walk. The discussion back then was around the principle of growing grass in three weeks and grazing it in three days, setting up paddocks and applying lime. Fast forward 50 years and the principles are still the same that drive the success of any farm system.” Billy outlines how he has managed grass on the farm this year and is now building covers for the autumn. Quality silage is important to the system as well as the inclusion of clover to reduce fertiliser input. Pic: Independent.ie For further details on the upcoming walk go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grassland-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 

Margaret Brennan, Assistant Principal Officer for Beef Schemes with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, discusses and explains the 2024 Beef Welfare Scheme on this week’s Beef Edge podcast. The 2024 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) will support farmers in meal feeding suckler calves before and after weaning, and in vaccinating against clostridial diseases and calf pneumonia. Calves eligible to the scheme are those born to eligible suckler cows in the period from July 1st 2023 to 30th June 2024. While the meal feeding action is mandatory for scheme participants, farmers must indicate that they are selecting the optional vaccination action at application stage if they wish to be considered for payment under this action.  Farmers can then decide during the implementation phase, where appropriate, in consultation with their veterinary surgeon, which disease they wish to target depending on the health status of their herds. Action 1 – Meal Feeding (Mandatory): the rate of payment is €35 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 40 eligible calves.Action 2 – Vaccination (Optional): The rate of payment is €15 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 40 eligible calves. Applications must be made on agfood.ie The closing date for applications is 23.59hrs on 24 September 2024. Further information on the terms and conditions are at: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/8c827-beef-welfare-scheme-2024/ For further queries email and contact telephone details are:Email: bws@agriculture.gov.iePhone number: +353 (0) 57 86 74422  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 and vet, John Donlon, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the main issues that arise around weaning time and how to prevent them. It’s been a difficult year for cows and calves and performance of some calves has been impacted by the extended spring and grazing conditions and weather. John says that many calves may have had health issues in the spring and it is important to reduce stress now at weaning. He explains that delaying weaning will only further cause issues by a number of actions taking place in a shorter period of time, along with the weaning process, such as housing, if weather conditions are poor. John highlights that there are a wide range of weaning protocols. However the principals are similar to the fact that the maternal bond is broken gently by forward creeping calves, concentrates are introduced 4 weeks pre-weaning, dosing for lungworm and or stomach worms is carried out prior to weaning and only removing a third of the cows a week to ensure calves are not stressed. John also discusses the key points to consider when implementing a vaccination programme with the vet to reduce the incidence of pneumonia when housing takes place. Further information from AHI on ‘Management of the Suckler Calf at Weaning to Prevent Pneumonia’ can be found at:https://www.animalhealthireland.ie/ckfinder/userfiles/files/20120919%20CAC%20Suckler%20Final%20Webversion(2).pdf 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 Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, gives her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead.  Currently, growth is ahead of demand on farms and Niamh highlights management and targets for the coming weeks. Second cut harvested in the past few days indicates the yields are back around the country and for farmers that will need a third cut, Niamh advises to apply 2,500 gallons of slurry and 1 bag 38%N.   For more, 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