DairyBeef 500 Farm Walk – James O’Sullivan
03 Sep 2026Venue Farm of James O'Sullivan, Co. Cork
Join us on Thursday, 3rd September at 5.30pm for a Dairy Beef 500 Farm Walk hosted by James O’Sullivan, local Teagasc staff and the DairyBeef500 team at his progressive calf-to-beef farm in Moyross, near Union Hall, Co. Cork. Eircode P81 CK00.
This is a fantastic opportunity to visit one of the programme’s leading demonstration farms and see first hand how a well managed, grass-based dairy-beef system can deliver strong animal performance, labour efficiency and profitability.
About the Farm
Farming 31 hectares across two main blocks, which are 8kms apart. James rears 90 -95 calves annually through a predominantly early-maturing Aberdeen Angus steer and heifer system. While also working off-farm, James has successfully built a highly efficient enterprise through careful planning, targeted investment and focus on calf selection, grassland management and animal performance.
What to expect on the night?
On the evening, all aspects of his dairy calf to beef system will be on full display. Over recent years, the farm has undergone significant development, with major focus on sourcing quality calves, animal health, grassland management and soil fertility. Visitors will have the opportunity to see a managed grazing block designed to maximise grass utilisation and simplify management.
Physical and Financial Performance
The introduction stand, will outline James’s calf to beef system where all physical and financial performance details will be discussed. With increased calf prices common place last spring, budgets will be completed at different beef prices to analyse the margins. Attendees will have the opportunity to see yearling animals grazing in the adjoining paddock.
Stand two will feature a Grasstec Demo of a SKAI spot sprayer using AI-powered technology for weed detection.
Utilising advanced real-time camera vision and machine learning, SKAi accurately identifies weeds like docks, thistles, etc, then precisely targets only the unwanted plants. No pre-mapping. No guesswork.
Also at this stop, all in attendance will get to see and hear how James manages and utilises red clover within his overall farming system.
Autumn grassland management
On stand three James will outline how he aims to maximise animal performance from grass production on his farm. Topics addressed here will look at managing his grassland and grazing rotation from now until housing. The main objective is to keep animals at grass for as many days as possible without sacrificing animal performance, ensuring minimal damage is done to the grazing paddocks, while also setting up the farm to have adequate grass for early spring grazing when weather and ground conditions allow next spring.
There will also be a focus on how James has increased his soil fertility on the farm over the last number of years. Weanling animals will be on display here.
Finishing animal Demonstration
In the farmyard, ABP procurement personnel will provide an interactive demonstration on how to select animals for finishing and how to determine when an animals is ready for slaughter. Animals in their finishing period and animals fit for slaughter will be on view at this stand.
Also, on the display in the yard will be a newly built slatted shed, where Teagasc personnel will be on hand to give advice on TAMS, finishing diets etc
Teagasc advisors, specialists and Dairybeef500 stakeholders will be available on the night for interactive discussion and to answer all questions that arise. There will be a lot of valuable information and experiences to be shared and anyone with an interest in dairy calf to beef system should feel free to attend. We look forward to welcoming you on the night.
This event is free to attend, there is no registration required and ABP will provide a FREE burger on the night
Whether you are already operating a calf-to-beef enterprise or considering opportunities within the sector, this promises to be an informative and practical evening not to be missed.