Major new Teagasc-led European dairy-beef innovation project launched

Teagasc is leading the ‘Better-Calf’ project, funded by Interreg North-West Europe, which aims to support family farms by providing them with tools to optimise grass-fed dairy-beef systems. The project was recently launched by Ministers Heydon and Grealish.

Ireland are world leaders in the development and implementation of grass-based, dairy-beef systems. Dairy-beef accounts for over 60% of all cattle finished nationally and Teagasc has developed detailed blueprints to support finishing these animals in efficient and profitable production. There is interest in many EU countries to develop grass-based dairy-beef systems, given the ethical concerns associated with more intensive indoor finishing systems and the opportunity to make better use of grasslands.

Through the project, dairy-beef research farm studies will be carried out in Ireland, France, and Belgium with a focus on maximising access to pasture and promoting animal welfare. In addition, a network of 40 commercial farms across Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland will be created. A wide survey of north-west European consumers will set out the expectations to produce dairy-beef and the evaluation of their willingness to pay for those products.

Meeting the project team at the recent Beef Open Day at Teagasc Grange, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD said: “This project reflects our own AgriFood sector’s strategy as set out in Food Vision 2030 to promote greater integration of dairy and beef sectors and develop and support dairy beef systems.

“The success of the Dairy Calf to Beef Action Plan, developed by my Department, Teagasc, Bord Bia, ICBF and AHI, shows the strength of collaborative efforts in implementing policy on the ground.

“The fact that Teagasc is leading on this key European project is recognition of our expertise in grass-fed dairy beef systems. This project also aligns with the core principles of the new EU Livestock Strategy which we will be discussing under the Irish Presidency.

“By championing grass-based production, Ireland along with our EU partners are demonstrating how livestock farming can deliver on high climate and welfare ambitions while actively safeguarding the economic future of our family farms,” Minister Heydon added.

Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said: “As Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, and Research and Development, I am delighted to see Teagasc leading on this important project.

“Environmental resilience and economic viability are key to the future success of our livestock sector. By optimising grass-based systems, this project helps family farms meet shifting consumer expectations while reducing enterprise overheads,” Minister Grealish added.

Lead applicant on the Better-Calf project and Beef Enterprise leader at Teagasc Grange,  Dr. Paul Crosson highlighted the importance of this research project noting that: “In Ireland, we view grass-based beef cattle production as the norm; in fact, this is quite unusual with most cattle production systems globally involving long indoor feeding periods. We aim to refine these systems and build farmer networks to ensure rapid implementation on beef farms in Ireland and across north-west Europe.”

Better-Calf Project leader, Dr. Maeve Williams of Teagasc said: “By combining detailed research farm studies with on-the-ground experience from commercial farms across north-west Europe, the Better-Calf project will work to develop practical blueprints for grass-based dairy-beef systems.2

Communication manager for the project, Pauline Madrange from the French Livestock Institute noted that: “Family farms in Europe are under increasing financial pressure with 51% of farmers who retire in France having no successor. We see this project as providing an opportunity to improve the profitability of dairy and beef farms by increasing the use of pastures thereby improving the viability of family farms.”

Photo caption: The Better-Calf project team met Ministers Heydon and Grealish at the recent Beef Open Day at Teagasc Grange. Pictured from left; Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairperson; Baptiste Berthelot, Dr. Paul Crosson, Teagasc Grange; Fionn Kiernan; Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Ralf Kosch, Dr Maeve Williams, Better-Calf Project leader; Martin Heydon TD. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Emilie Henrotte, René Riedel, Pauline Madrange, Felicitas Kaemena, Isabelle Morel and Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director.