Beef

Does night-time feeding reduce night-time calvings?
Does night-time feeding reduce night-time calvings? Some farmers may be implementing a feeding strategy where silage is restricted to suckler cows during daylight hours, instead being offered at night time, to reduce the incidence of night-time calvings. However, the implementation of such a strategy is no guarantee of reducing the number of […]
22 February 2024

Newford farm update – the move to Roscommon, calving preparation and performance review
Newford farm update – the move to Roscommon, calving preparation and performance review With the calving season underway, Michael Fagan, Teagasc Newford farm technician, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into changes on the farm, preparation in advance of calving and a review performance of the herd. […]
21 February 2024

A busy calving and breeding season for Ken Gill, Future Beef Farmer
A busy calving and breeding season for Ken Gill, Future Beef Farmer Ken bred 14 heifers and 58 cows to AI bulls between November 1 and December 11, which amounts to a six-week breeding season. While it means that the replacement rate on the farm is closer to 30% than the target […]
20 February 2024

The importance of colostrum to suckler calves
The importance of colostrum to suckler calves As a means to protect the early-life health of calves, suckler farmers have been encouraged to prioritise the feeding of colostrum to their calves this spring. This message came from John Donlon, a Teagasc vet working in the area of beef herd health, who joined […]
20 February 2024

Newford herd settled into new home in Roscommon
Newford herd settled into new home in Roscommon The Newford suckler demonstration farm, established by Teagasc and Dawn Meats with support by McDonalds, took up its new residence on a 118 acre farmable farm at Scrine Co, Roscommon at the end of 2023, Michael Fagan tells us more on the latest happenings […]
17 February 2024

Research update: Cow-calf bond development
Research update: Cow-calf bond development Noeleen Brereton, Mark Mcgee, Colin Byrne and Bernadette Earley report on the effect of suckler cow breed type and parity on the development of the cow-calf bond post partum and its relationship with calf passive immunity. Development of the cow-calf bond post partum and passive immunity of […]
17 February 2024

Advice and tips for caring for the new born calf
Advice and tips for caring for the new born calf This week on the Beef Edge podcast it’s the second of a two part episode with Teagasc vet John Donlon who gives advice and tips for caring for the new born calf. John outlines the best practice for when the calf is […]
14 February 2024

How this DairyBeef 500 farmer turned the tide on pneumonia
How this DairyBeef 500 farmer turned the tide on pneumonia Since developing a calf to beef system on his farm in Castledermot, Co. Kildare, Peter Byrne has encountered issues with pneumonia during the calf rearing phase. Fergal Maguire, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Advisor to the farm, explores the strategies Peter has implemented to […]
14 February 2024

Hedgerow Planting with John Dunne
Hedgerow Planting with John Dunne John farms 125ha between owned and leased land. He lives in Tinacrannagh, on the outskirts of Portarlington town. He farms full-time and is helped by his son James, who is studying Agricultural Science in UCD. It is a busy farm with 90 suckler cows calving in spring. […]
12 February 2024

Leading the development of more sustainable European livestock production systems
0 Leading the development of more sustainable European livestock production systems STEP UP is a four year research project funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation. The Teagasc-led project aims to support the development of more economically, environmentally and socially sustainable European livestock production systems (ELPS). STEP […]
8 February 2024