Beef
Nutritional Management of the Dairy-Beef Calf
Nutritional Management of the Dairy-Beef Calf From arrival on beef farms to weaning, nutritional management of the dairy-beef calf is key to ensuring strong, healthy growth. The Teagasc DairyBeef 500 team, along with Teagasc researchers, have compiled tips to get the essentials right to maximise growth and minimise setbacks. Key Targets of […]
22 February 2025
Using the calving jack – slow and steady wins the race
Using the calving jack – slow and steady wins the race After being left in storage for almost nine months, the days or nights for which the calving jack will be reached for are approaching on many spring-calving suckler farms. A vital piece of equipment to aid in difficult calvings, provided you […]
21 February 2025
Shane Keaveney’s actions to protect water quality
Shane Keaveney’s actions to protect water quality Shane Keaveney, a suckler farmer from Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon, is going above and beyond to lessen the impact of his farming practices on water quality – specifically the watercourse bounding his farm. In this article, Dr Siobhán Kavanagh, Signpost Programme Communications and Engagement Specialist, Aisling […]
20 February 2025
Calving the suckler cow: When to intervene?
Calving the suckler cow: When to intervene? Have you found yourself puzzled on a cold and wet February or March night wondering: ‘Should I intervene now or does the cow need more time to calve?’ A move to part-time suckler farming for many – although aided to a certain extent by the […]
19 February 2025
Making spring grass count at Newford
Making spring grass count at Newford Maximising weight gain from grass is a priority at Newford Farm. Michael Fagan tells us how this starts with early turnout and making the best use of spring grass. 2025 marks the second spring since our move to Roscommon, and we’ve taken advantage of suitable grazing […]
19 February 2025
Calf housing tips to maximise performance
Calf housing tips to maximise performance Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Advisor, Tommy Cox discusses calf housing to maximise performance on this week’s Beef Edge podcast. Tommy says that good ventilation, adequate space, good drainage and warm sheds that are clean and comfortable are essential. With natural ventilation used in the vast majority of […]
19 February 2025
Farm-to-farm sourcing a must for this Meath dairy-beef producer
Farm-to-farm sourcing a must for this Meath dairy-beef producer Animal performance on Aidan Maguire’s DairyBeef 500 farm in Co. Meath starts on day one, the day on which he purchases his calves. In this article, Dr. Siobhán Kavanagh, Signpost Programme Communications and Engagement Specialist, and Fergal Maguire, Advisor on the Teagasc DairyBeef […]
17 February 2025
Trevor Boland’s 2024 farm review: Breeding, performance and finances
Trevor Boland’s 2024 farm review: Breeding, performance and finances Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor, visits Trevor Boland in Co. Sligo, and reflects on the herd’s breeding and animal performance, along with the returns achieved from his autumn-calving suckler system. Trevor farms 45ha in Bunnafedia, Co. Sligo in partnership with his father […]
12 February 2025
Listen: Fertiliser applications and the National Fertiliser Database
Listen: Fertiliser applications and the National Fertiliser Database In the second part of a two-part series on fertiliser application, Specialist on the Signpost Programme, Mark Plunkett joins Catherine Egan on the Beef Edge podcast to discuss fertiliser application and the National Fertiliser Database. Listen in below: Fertiliser usage on Irish farms, particularly […]
12 February 2025
Watch: A glimpse inside Newford’s busy February
Watch: A glimpse inside Newford’s busy February February is a busy month on the Newford Farm, writes Michael Fagan who fills us in on the day-to-day management of the herd. Over a 10-week period, 86 cows will calve at our new base in Co. Roscommon. Whereas much of the focus over the […]
11 February 2025