Tipperary Dairy Beef Demonstration Farm Open Day Planned
Tipperary Dairy Beef Demonstration Farm will host a Major Open Day on Wednesday, 22nd July at 11:00 am.
All farmers are invited to visit this top performing beef farm which delivered €1,620 per hectare net profit in 2025 and a €74 per hour return on labour.
Teagasc, in partnership with Dawn Meats and Shinagh Estates Ltd, will host this open day at Ballyvadin Beef Farm Ltd., Fethard, County Tipperary (E91 E0X3).
The open day will focus on building highly profitable, sustainable, and labour-efficient dairy-to-beef systems. Following a recent 25-hectare expansion in October 2025, the standalone commercial unit now spans 134 hectares.
Dr Padraig French, Head of the Teagasc Livestock Systems Research Department, said; “Attendees will have an opportunity to see live animal demonstrations and practical research showcasing how elite dairy-beef genetics, proactive animal health, and strategic finishing, work together to optimise herd performance and increase margins. I would encourage all cattle farmers and dairy farmers to take this opportunity to see this top-class farm business.”
The open day will guide visitors through technical knowledge stations across the farm:
- Financial and Labour Performance: An in-depth look at Ballyvadin’s audited accounts, capital costs, and its impressive return on labour.
- Calf Purchase and Genetics: Showcasing how the farm’s contract calf supply model with 9 dairy farmers which secures high-Commercial Beef Value (CBV) genetics to ensure better animal performance.
- Animal Health and Calf Rearing: Proactive vaccination protocols used to minimise calf mortality and regular parasite monitoring to minimise resistance to anthelmintics.
- Labour and Calf Rearing: Practical farm-automation setups designed to save hours during peak spring workloads.
- Finishing and drafting steers and heifers for slaughter to ensure all cattle reach factory carcass specification at a young age.
- Grassland Management to drive animal performance from high-quality grazed pasture and grass silage.
- Water Quality: Environmental protective measures, including roadway infrastructure and the Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign.
- Grass 10 Demo: Live paddock measurements and grazing tools to help farmers optimize their seasonal grass allocation.
“Operating as a fully transparent, standalone commercial entity, Tipperary beef farm offers farmers real-world data on what it takes to build and operate a resilient dairy-beef enterprise,” said a spokesperson for the project.
Gates open at 11:00 am. Admission is free and all farmers and industry stakeholders are welcome. Complimentary food and refreshments will be served. For more event updates, follow the farm on social media, or visit the official event page here
