National Beef Conference: Adding value, planning for profit and preparing for the future
Beef Specialist at Teagasc, Catherine Egan previews the fast-approaching Teagasc Beef Conference, where the focus will be placed firmly on value, profit and the future of Irish beef farming.
Teagasc is inviting all beef farmers to the National Beef Conference 2025, which takes place on Tuesday, 18th November in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, Co. Galway.
This year’s theme is ‘Beef Farming 2025: Value, Profit and Renewal’, with a strong focus on producing high-value weanlings, managing farm profitability and supporting generational renewal. The event is free to attend and kicks off at 5.00pm, with two action-packed sessions featuring expert speakers, farmer insights and panel discussions.
Session one – high-value weanlings
Speaking ahead of the event, Teagasc Galway/Clare Regional Manager, Pat Clarke commented: “We’re delighted to host this year’s National Beef Conference in Athenry. With the highest concentration of suckler beef farmers in the country based in this region, the topics of high-value weanlings, breeding strategies, and market demands couldn’t be more relevant. There’s something in the programme for everyone, and we look forward to welcoming you on the night.”
Commencing at 5pm, session one of the Teagasc National Beef Conference will focus on high-value weanlings – from breeding to market. Chaired by Keith Fahy, Teagasc Drystock Advisor and Host of Country Life on Galway Bay FM, experts will share advice on managing the suckler cow for better performance and fertility outcomes, the role of double muscling genes, meeting market needs when producing weanlings, and farmers John Barry and Thomas O’Connor will share their respective on the ground experiences.
Speakers include:
- David Kenny, Head of Animal & Bioscience, Teagasc Grange – Managing the suckler cow before and after calving for better fertility and performance
- Katie Quigley, Geneticist, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation – Understanding the myostatin gene and finding the right balance between muscling and calving ease
- John Barry Future Beef Programme participant will share his approach to breeding weanlings in demand at home and for export
- Thomas O’Connor, a beef farmer from Co. Kildare will share his experiences of beef finishing.
- Brendan Egan, Manager, Castlerea Mart – What the market wants and how to meet that demand.
Session two – Beef 2025 and beyond
Session two of the National Beef Conference will take a forward-looking approach, delving in depth into the topics of beef markets with Rupert Claxton, Meat Director at Gira, and profitability and tax planning, with Trevor Boland, Beef farmer and IFAC Accountant. This session will be chaired by Damien O’Reilly, former presenter of RTÉ Radio 1’s Countrywide.
“We’ve designed this year’s conference to give farmers clear, practical information on how to add value, plan for profit and prepare for the future,” Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock at Teagasc said ahead of the Teagasc National Beef Conference.
“With current prices, it’s more important than ever to look at how we breed, sell, and sustain our farms. We’re delighted to have Rupert Claxton joining us to provide a global perspective on where the beef market is heading.”
Following the presentations from both Rupert Claxton and Trevor Boland, the conversation will switch focus to generational renewal, where a panel discussion will tackle the challenges and solutions of succession on Irish beef farms.
Panellists at this discussion include:
- Emma Dillon, Teagasc National Farm Survey Economist
- Ruth Fennell, Collaborative Farming Specialist, Teagasc
- Trevor Boland, Beef farmers & IFAC Accountant
- Eamonn & Donnchadh McCarthy, suckler farmers and Future Beef Programme participants from Youghal.
More insights
Pearse Kelly, Teagasc Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer, joined Catherine Egan on a recent episode of the Beef Edge podcast to preview the event, listen in below:
For more on the Teagasc National Beef Conference, visit here.