A new focus for Newford
After more than a decade of focusing on profitability on a per hectare basis, the Newford Demonstration Farm now well settled in its new home in Scrine, Co. Roscommon is taking a new approach to measuring profit.
As outlined to the farmers attending the farm’s first National Open Day on Wednesday, April 22, Head of Livestock Systems at Teagasc, Dr. Padraig French said: “For the last 10 years, we have been very focused on profit per hectare and, to a lesser extent, profit per cow. In reality, the limiting factor on many farms is the amount of time farmers have to run that business.
“We are now trying to focus more on the profit per hour worked: How many hours does it take to operate the farm, what returns does it provide for the hours worked and how can we maximise profit per hour worked?”
Providing a background to the farm, Dr. French added: “Newford is operated as a standalone business and must cover all its costs.” Boosted by higher beef prices in 2025 and carefully controlled costs, the farm generated a net profit (including SCEP) of €1,376/ha or €1,198/cow last year.
Head of Livestock Systems at Teagasc, Dr. Padraig French addressing the crowd at the Newford Open Day
On the new focus, he added: “To run this farm of 85 cows and their progeny to beef, 280 cattle, we are putting in approximately 2,800 hours of labour per year, or 33 hours/cow. In 2025, the farm’s net profit plus labour costs delivered a return of €39/hour worked, but we had a very good beef price. Back in 2023, it worked out at €15/hour worked.
“Our focus now is on how we can reduce the number of hours worked on the farm while continuing to increase profit.”
Strategies being followed to increase labour efficiency and boost profits include having a suitable cow, using easier-calving bulls, operating a strict culling policy, adopting labour-efficient work practices, utilising excellent facilities, making use of contractors, and investing in automation that will provide a return.
Herd performance
At the event, Manager of the Future Beef Programme, to which the Newford Herd is enrolled, Martina Harrington provided an overview of the key focus areas to maximise profit from a suckler beef system.
“Like all farms enrolled in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme, performance is achieved by focusing on individual animal performance, stocking rate, cost control and limiting our impact on the environment,” Martina Harrington explained.
Some key performance indicators being achieved at Newford include delivering 0.98 calves per cow, calving all heifers at 24 months of age and producing high level of output on an individual animal basis (360kg of output per livestock unit).
Along with achieving key performance indicators in terms of animal performance and breeding, Martina Harrington also touched on the importance of cost control, noting:
“Cost control is critical in suckler beef systems. With grass being the cheapest form of feed, the aim is to get the majority of weight gain from grazed grass. This is achieved through early turnout, a long grazing season, good grazing infrastructure, the correct pre- and post-grazing covers and producing that grass as cheaply as possible.”
To lessen the cost of growing grass, Newford has also introduced clover into grazing swards to reduce the level of inputs coming onto the farm, along with targeted applications of organic manures and slurry.
Martina Harrington, Manager of the Teagasc Future Beef Programme, speaking from the Newford Open Day
Acknowledging the contribution of Dan Browne
Also speaking from the event, Paul Nolan of Dawn Meats said: “Newford was very much the brainchild of Dan Browne who passed away last June.
“Hailing originally from a dairy farming background and having spent time with Teagasc before setting up Dawn Meats, Dan Browne believed we could raise the bar in the delivery of knowledge transfer for suckler farms.
Paul Nolan, Dawn Meats
“Through collaboration with Teagasc and the support of McDonald’s, the Newford Herd was established in Athenry in 2014, where we enjoyed many successful years. Our time there came to an end in 2023, and we were very fortunate to find this farm here. We have worked very hard to bring it up to the standard it is at today, and it is onwards and upwards from here,” Paul Nolan added.
Paul Nolan also extended his condolences to the Browne family on the passing of Dan’s wife, Kay, who passed away this week.