Beef Road Map 2030
An overview of Ireland’s beef sector to 2030, outlining current performance, market outlook, sustainability priorities, and future targets.
Beef farming is one of the larger sectors in Irish agriculture and accounts for one third of overall agricultural output, due partially to a strong period of increased prices.
Approximately 80% of Irish farms carry some beef animals with 55% of Irish farms considered to be specialist beef producers. In recent years there has been an increase in the volume of beef produced from animals born in the dairy herd, now approximately 60% of the total, in comparison to progeny from the suckler herd and we have seen a decrease in the number of suckler cows over the same period. Suckler cows account for approximately a third of the total cows (beef and dairy) in Ireland. Suckler cow herds tend to be smaller on average (20 cows) than dairy herds (100 cows).
In 2024, the value of Irish beef exports was estimated at €3.12 billion with the UK remaining the primary market, accounting for 47% of these exports. Overall cattle output value is expected to be approximately €3.9 billion in 2025. The volume of Irish beef exports increased by 3% from 2023 although reductions are expected over the coming years due to tightening cattle supplies and reducing carcass weights. Reduced finishing age, which tends to lead to reduced carcass weights, is one of the key mitigation measures to reduce emissions from the sector.
The challenges facing the industry include low profit margins, slow uptake of new technologies, an aging farmer population and increasing competition from off-farm employment.
Beef farmers are increasingly seeking a better work-life balance as off-farm employment places greater demands on their time. New and emerging technologies may provide opportunities to optimise farm operations, improve animal performance, and support more sustainable and profitable beef production.
View the Beef Road map 2030 here
View the full Teagasc Road Map Series 2030
Beef 2030: Performance, Profit & Progress
On this week’s Beef Edge podcast and coinciding with the launch of the Beef Road Map 2030, Teagasc Head of Drystock, Pearse Kelly, and Beef Enterprise Leader, Dr. Paul Crosson at Teagasc Grange discuss current performance, market outlook, sustainability priorities and future targets for Irish beef.
Listen in below: