26 June 2024
BEEF2024 Teagasc Open Day
All the latest technologies available to cattle and beef farmers to meet the challenges facing the sector are being presented at the BEEF2024 Teagasc Open Day today, 26 June, at the Grange Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation centre in County Meath.
“Beef farming is core to rural Ireland, and farming families are at the centre of the sector which reaches into every area of the country. We are delighted to see so many beef farming families here today.”
‘Securing your future’ is the theme of the event which is outlining the multiple opportunities for farmers to develop their businesses from a performance, profitability and sustainability perspective.
Director of Teagasc Professor Frank O’Mara said; “The beef sector is extremely important to the national economy, valued at approximately €2.7 billion. It plays a crucial role in maintaining a vibrant rural economy. Beef farming is core to rural Ireland, and farming families are at the centre of the sector which reaches into every area of the country. We are delighted to see so many beef farming families here today.”
Some of the top performing farmers, participating in the Teagasc Future Beef and DairyBeef500 programmes are sharing their stories of how their farms are evolving and changing. They are participating in the Suckler Beef village and in the Dairy Beef village, and they are also speaking at the Forums taking place this afternoon.
Dr Paul Crosson, Teagasc Beef enterprise leader said “Grass based production systems underpin beef farming in Ireland. The strength of the sector lies in producing and utilising grass to drive profitability and underpin its strong environmental sustainability credentials. Excellent beef genetics and high herd health status continue to be key to increasing the competitiveness of Irish cattle farms.”
Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc highlighted the importance of work life balance, the need for succession planning for farmers, managing off-farm employment, and developing family farm businesses.
Earlier finishing of cattle is one of the main strategies to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. The Beef Quest research project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and led by Teagasc, was introduced to farmers.
The steps open to farmers to play a role in trying to improve water quality are being highlighted as part of The Better Farming for Water Campaign, with staff from ASSAP and the Agricultural Catchments Programme outlining the eight actions that farmers are being asked to take.
To view more information presented at BEEF2024 visit www.teagasc.ie/beef2024
The Beef 2024 open day is kindly sponsored by FBD Insurance.