‘Beef Farming 2025: Value, Profit and Renewal’
Tuesday, 18th November | Athenry, Co. Galway
The National Beef Conference took place on on Tuesday, 18th November in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, Co. Galway. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Beef Farming 2025: Value, Profit and Renewal’.
View the conference proceedings here
Conference Programme
5pm
Conference Welcome
Pat Clarke, Teagasc Regional Manager Galway/Clare
5:10pm
Opening Address
Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director
Session 1: High-Value Weanlings: From Breeding Decisions to Market Demand
Chair: Keith Fahy, Drystock Advisor & Host of Country Life, Galway Bay FM
5:20pm
Managing the Suckler Cow Pre- and Post-Calving for Fertility and Performance
Professor David Kenny, Head of Animal & Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc
5:40pm
The Myostatin Gene in Beef Breeding: Balancing Muscling and Calving Ease
Dr. Katie Quigley, Geneticist, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF)
6pm
Panel Discussion
How to breed, feed, and sell weanlings the market wants
- Dr. Katie Quigley, ICBF
- Professor David Kenny, Teagasc
- John Barry, Future Beef Programme Suckler Beef Farmer, Tipperary
- Thomas O’Connor, Beef Finisher, Kildare
- Brendan Egan, Castlerea Mart Manager
6:45pm
Short break (complimentary refreshments)
Session 2: Beef 2025 and Beyond: Prices, Profits and Passing on the Farm
Chair: Damien O’Reilly, Former RTÉ Radio 1 Countrywide presenter and journalist with RTÉ Radio
7:15pm
Global Beef Markets: What’s Driving Prices and What’s Next
Rupert Claxton, Meat Director, GIRA
7:40pm
Beef Farm Profits in 2025: Tax Planning for This Year and Beyond
Trevor Boland, Beef Farmer & Accountant, IFAC
8pm – Panel Discussion
Generational Renewal on Irish Beef Farms: Challenges and Solutions
- Dr. Emma Dillon, Senior Research Officer – Economist, Teagasc National Farm Survey
- Ruth Fennell, Collaborative Farming Specialist, Teagasc
- Trevor Boland, Beef Farmer & Accountant, IFAC
- Eamonn & Donnchadh McCarthy, Future Beef Programme Suckler Beef Farmers, Waterford
8:45pm
Close of Conference
Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc