Suckler Beef Systems
Producing the future suckler cow: balanced genetics for profitability and sustainability
Improving the efficiency of the national suckler herd is a key priority for the Irish beef industry. Research and on-farm evidence consistently show that cows with strong maternal traits and of moderate size deliver superior lifetime performance. Balanced genetic selection is essential to produce a suckler cow capable of meeting both profitability and sustainability targets. […]
1 July 2026
Strategic use of oestrous synchronisation and timed artificial insemination in beef cattle herds
Reproductive efficiency is a major factor determining production and ultimately the profitability of beef cow enterprises. Annual statistics from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) suggest that less than 20% of heifers calve for the first time at the target average age of 24 (22-26) months and that the average calving-to-calving interval for Irish suckler […]
1 July 2026
Calving at two years of age: identifying and rearing suitable replacement suckler heifers
The current national average age at first-calving in suckler-bred heifers is 32 months with only 19% of heifers calving for the first time at 22-26 (~24) months of age. There is huge potential for improvement to this important reproductive key performance indicator. The top 10% of commercial suckler herds and research herds are consistently calving […]
1 July 2026
Weaning management of beef-suckler calves: health implications
In Irish grass‑based, spring‑calving suckler systems, calves are typically weaned in autumn. This often coincides with a change in weather, reduced grass availability, additional handling, housing, vaccination and sometimes transport or sale. The resulting stress response in the calf, especially when several of these stressors occur concurrently, can temporarily suppress immune function, increasing susceptibility to […]
1 July 2026
Infectious disease in the suckler herd
Disease is a major cause of financial and animal production losses on beef farms, and even though it’s difficult to put a value on it, the labour and stress involved in a disease outbreak should also be taken into consideration when evaluating individual farm disease risks. The likelihood and consequences of a disease need to […]
1 July 2026
Information on Bluetongue Virus (BTV) for Irish beef herd owners
Bluetongue is a viral disease caused by bluetongue virus (BTV). This virus is a double stranded RNA virus of the genus Oribvirus due to the ‘ring’ (‘orib’) appearance of its outer capsid. There are at least 29 different serotypes or strains of the virus, and each strain differs in the severity of disease that is […]
1 July 2026
Newford suckler demonstration farm update
The Newford Demonstration Farm was established in 2015 as a joint initiative between Teagasc and Dawn Meats, with support from the Irish Farmers Journal and McDonald’s. Its primary objective is to operate as a stand-alone suckler herd under commercial conditions, demonstrating best-practice technologies to the wider beef industry. A key focus is placed on maximizing […]
1 July 2026
Future Beef 2026: demonstrating the path to profitable sustainable suckler farming
The Future Beef Programme is Teagasc’s flagship suckler beef demonstration farm network, comprising 22 farms representing typical Irish beef systems across geographical regions, diverse soil types, and contrasting stocking rates. The programme demonstrates practical, adoptable technologies under three core objectives: Profitability Environmental sustainability Work-life balance A central principle of the programme is that profitability and […]
1 July 2026