The second phase of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef programme was launched in the spring of 2019 and since then our 12 participating farmers have been working closely with our programme advisors Alan Dillon, James Fitzgerald and Seán Cummins on implementing farm plans aimed at achieving a net margin of €500/ha before farm subsidies are taken into account.
JP Hammersley runs a system on his 35ha farm in Co. Tipperary where British Friesian bull calves are brought to beef as steers at 26-30 months. With full-time work commitments, JP’s aim is to run the farm as efficiently as possible in terms of the labour required for day-to-day operations. On Wednesday, 29 September 2021 at 3:30pm, JP will host a farm walk on his farm in Lattin, Co. Tipperary.
Irvine Allen runs a dairy calf-to-beef operation on his 58ha farm in Co. Westmeath. Sons Mathew and Evan help out at weekends and evenings with the calves while his father Pat is on farm helping out most days. On Tuesday, 5 October 2021 at 2pm, Irvine will host a farm walk on his farm in Mount Temple, Moate, Co. Westmeath.
Jarlath Ruane runs a calf to beef and lowland sheep system alongside his father Austin. As both men are employed full time locally, the farm is run part time. On Thursday, 13th May 2021, the Ruane’s hosted a virtual event from their farm in Claremorris, Co. Mayo through the use of social media and video.
Watch it back here: Teagasc Green Acres Virtual Farm Walk – Jarlath and Austin Ruane
Martin Connolly farms part time just outside Castleplunket in Co. Roscommon. He runs a calf to bull beef system on 60ha of fragmented and slightly heavy land, where he buys in 120 spring-born, dairy-bred male calves and brings them through to slaughter at under c.22 months of age. On Thursday, 10th September 2020, Martin took us on a virtual tour of his farm.
Watch it back here: Martin Connolly’s Virtual Farm Walk
