Top-performing suckler farmer to host Future Beef walk
One of Ireland’s top-performing suckler farms, operated by John Pringle, Co. Wicklow, will be the venue for a fast-approaching Future Beef Farm Walk.
A free event for all suckler and sheep farmers, attendees will see the running of John Pringle’s operation, a 59ha enterprise in Aughrim which is home to one of the most profitable suckler systems in the country. His system is delivering almost €4,500 per hectare in beef output while maintaining tight control on costs to achieve a net margin before premia of €1,457/ha.
Taking place on Friday, 29 May at 6:30pm on the Pringle farm, Aughrim, County Wicklow (Eircode: Y14 PT99), the Teagasc organised event will give farmers a detailed insight into how a high-output, profitable suckler-to-beef system can be achieved while consistently meeting key targets around fertility, carcass quality, grassland management and biodiversity.
John runs more than 50 high-performing suckler cows alongside 230 mid-season lambing ewes on the farm. His suckler herd is based on Simmental and Limousin-cross genetics, with breeding decisions focused firmly on fertility, milk production and carcass quality.
Every animal must perform
John targets one calf per cow per year, with calves achieving more than 1.2 kilograms per day liveweight gain pre-weaning, while all replacement heifers are consistently calved down at just 24 months of age.
Breeding and replacement strategies are also central to the farm’s success. John breeds all of his own replacements, selecting efficient, fertile cows capable of rearing high-performing progeny year after year. The result is a highly productive and efficient suckler-to-beef enterprise.
All bulls are finished at just over 15 months of age, averaging 400 kg carcass weight, with U-grading cattle regularly produced. The system is focused on efficiently and profitably meeting factory specifications.
Speaking ahead of the event, Martina Harrington, Teagasc Future Beef Programme Manager, said: “2025 has been a great year for suckler farmers, with good weather and strong beef prices helping drive profitability.
“John Pringle’s farm is an excellent example of what can be achieved through good genetics, strong management and keeping a tight handle on costs. This farm walk will be well worth attending for any farmer looking to pick up practical ideas to improve performance and profit on their own farm.”
Farmers attending the event will hear how John manages:
- Financial performance and cost control
- Breeding policy and synchronisation programmes
- Calving heifers at 24 months
- Bull beef finishing systems and meeting factory specifications
- Mixed grazing with sheep and cattle
- Grassland management to maximise output
- Biodiversity actions that benefit both the environment and livestock performance
The sheep enterprise will also feature strongly during the evening farm walk. John’s flock is based mainly on Suffolk x Texel breeding, with some Belclare genetics introduced to improve prolificacy. The flock is targeting close to 2.0 lambs scanned per ewe and 1.5 lambs weaned per ewe joined.
ABP is kindly sponsoring the event and will provide a live demonstration on how farmers can maximise returns by meeting factory specifications and avoiding penalties. Burgers and chips will also be provided on the night.
This promises to be an excellent practical farm walk featuring real figures, proven performance and honest discussion around what it takes to run a profitable suckler system in today’s environment.
Any farmer interested in improving output, fertility, carcass performance and profitability should not miss this event.
For further information on the Teagasc Future Beef Programme, visit here.