Beef

The importance of silage quality for beef production systems

The importance of silage quality for beef production systems Grass silage typically makes up around one quarter to one third of total feed dry matter (DM) consumed on drystock farms. Compared to grazed grass, it is quite expensive to produce (usually twice the cost per tonne DM). However, when taken as part […]
22 April 2023

Calving 100% of cows in a six-week window

Calving 100% of cows in a six-week window Ken Gill farms full time in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly. A full symbol organic producer, Ken operates an autumn-calving suckler system, with all animals brought to beef. With 100% AI used to make use of the best genetics available, Ken aims to achieve a tight […]
21 April 2023

Completing a bull ‘NCT’ ahead of breeding

Completing a bull ‘NCT’ ahead of breeding We are now in April and while there is still a focus on getting the last of the cows safely calved, we should now also be looking at next year’s crop of calves. One very important half of this equation is the stock bull. Only […]
20 April 2023

Key aspects of a synchronisation regimen for a suckler beef herd

Key aspects of a synchronisation regimen for a suckler beef herd Dr.Colin Byrne, researcher in Teagasc Grange, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss key aspects of a synchronisation regimen for a suckler beef herd. Current usage of artificial insemination (AI) is low in Irish suckler herds and this has […]
19 April 2023

Heat detection – what is the key to success?

Heat detection – what is the key to success? Using AI in the suckler herd can offer a farmer many benefits. Increased adoption of AI provides access to some of the best and proven beef genetics in the country. Catherine Egan, Teagasc Beef Specialist, tells us more. However, only 17% of suckler […]
19 April 2023

Let’s Talk Organics – Growing red clover silage to finish beef cattle

Let’s Talk Organics – Growing red clover silage to finish beef cattle Elaine Leavy and Joe Kelleher, Teagasc Organic Specialists hosted a Let’s Talk Organics webinar on Wednesday, 5th April which focused on growing red clover silage to finish beef cattle. The team were joined by Dr Nicky Byrne, Teagasc Researcher and […]
15 April 2023

Decreasing age at slaughter

Decreasing age at slaughter Aidan Moloney, Edward O’Riordan, Mark McGee and Paul Crosson of the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, report on decreasing the age at slaughter of early maturing suckler heifers in the recent Teagasc Beef Advisory newsletter. Slaughtering animals at a younger age is one strategy […]
14 April 2023

Key management tips for the weeks ahead

Key management tips for the weeks ahead Alan Dillon, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign Co-ordinator, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update from the campaign and key management tips for the weeks ahead. Firstly, Alan reviews the profit monitors from last year and explains what the margins were […]
12 April 2023

Successful calf rearing the key to profitable dairy calf to beef

Successful calf rearing the key to profitable dairy calf to beef Fergal Maguire, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 advisor, gives an update on how calf rearing has gone for monitor farmer Aidan Maguire, Navan, Co. Meath in this article. By January 2023, all the finishing animals on Aidan Maguire’s farm had being slaughtered. Performance […]
12 April 2023

Identifying and rearing suitable replacement heifers to calve at two years

Identifying and rearing suitable replacement heifers to calve at two years The current national average age at first calving in suckler-bred heifers is 32 months, with only 23% of heifers calving for the first time at 24 months of age. When compared to 74% of dairy-bred heifers calving for the first time […]
12 April 2023