23 June 2023
DairyBeef 500 walks commence next week
Aiming to promote and demonstrate dairy-beef systems, which are socially, environmentally and financially sustainable, the DairyBeef 500 Campaign will host a series of farm walks this year.
Launched this day last year, the campaign is led by Teagasc and will promote the adoption of best practice at farm level to increase the future viability and sustainability of the Irish beef sector. The DairyBeef 500 Campaign is also part of the Teagasc Signpost Programme.
Ciaran Bartley – Boher, Co. Limerick
Following three successful spring conferences earlier this year, the DairyBeef 500 team will host a number of walks over the coming months. The first of which is next Thursday, June 29th at 6pm, on the farm of Ciaran Bartley, Boher, Co. Limerick. The main focus of the event will demonstrate the improvements made on the farm in recent years and how this has had a positive effect on the financial performance of his enterprise.
Farming close to 74ha, some of which is heavy, Ciaran has made great strides by not only reducing the age of slaughter on his farm – moving from a system to where steers were slaughtered at 24-30 months to one where marketing starts at 21 months – but by also improving the grazing infrastructure on his farm.
At the open day, a focus will be placed on Ciaran’s farm system / farm finances and the farm infrastructure improvements. On the day, those in attendance will get a chance to see the grassland infrastructure improvements and how land drainage, the incorporation of a paddocks system has benefited the grassland management on the farm.
In addition to this, Ciaran’s calf souring policy will also be discussed, with a particular focus on the benefits that sourcing from a small number of trusted sources and implementing a herd health programme have brought to the health and performance of his animals.
As some of the farm is quite heavy, information of Ciaran’s winter feed plans, fodder budgeting and a focus on silage quality will also be outlined. Discussions will also take place on shed design, location, costings and the TAMS III grants availabe. The farm is currently expanding, with plans in place to construct new slatted housing to cater for the extra stock.
The DairyBeef 500 Campaign team will also host farm walks in Co. Mayo and Co. Cork later this year.
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Also read: The story so far for the Tipperary Calf to Beef Demo Farm