Beef 2018 Open Day. Teagasc, Grange, Co Meath. 26th June 2018

Teagasc are delighted to invite all beef farmers and stakeholders to BEEF2018, on Tuesday 26th June at the Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange Co. Meath.

The theme of this event is ‘€nhancing Knowledge’. The short term outlook for beef prices in 2018 is good; however in the medium term there will be significant challenges around Brexit, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and climate change. The emphasis in BEEF2018 is on highlighting those technologies that will help underpin the future profitability of the beef sector.

Technologies related to grassland management, animal nutrition, beef genetics, reproductive management and animal health,
including farm planning and implementation that will be essential in increasing the competitiveness of the beef sector will be on display.

The focus of BEEF2018 will be on the application of technologies that will help beef farmers increase the profitability and sustainability of their farming family business.

BEEF2018 is your opportunity to see first-hand the results of the comprehensive research and innovation programme at Teagasc and to meet research, advisory and education staff.  We look forward to meeting with you on the 26th June.

Join our BEEF2018 Community on Facebook and be notified of all our preparations in the lead up to this day! We’ll be following our Beef team as they put together an informative and enjoyable day for all the family. We’ll also be running competitions where you’ll have the chance to win some exciting prizes so stay tuned at https://www.facebook.com/events/1440284759426680/permalink/1502440783211077

Download the BEEF2018 Flyer here

€nhancing Technologies

Farm Infrastructure

  • Drainage systems & roadways
  • Soil fertility & reseeding
  • Fencing & water system

Suckler Calf to Beef

  • Systems of production
  • Beef output/ha
  • Maximising profit

Dairy Calf-to-Beef

  • Systems of production
  • Key profit drivers
  • Dairy beef crossbred cattle

High Animal Performance

  • Replacement & Terminal indexes/indices
  • Increasing compact calving & AI use
  • Importance of herd health

Grassland Management

  • Soil fertility
  • Grazing management
  • Role of white clover

Technology Villages

GRASS10

  • Grazing demonstration
  • PastureBase Ireland
  • Grazing practices to increase animal output/ha

BETTER Beef Programme

  • Farm planning & monitoring
  • Farmers experience of putting technology into practice
  • Newford & Derrypatrick suckler herd

Dairy Calf-to-Beef

  • New research programme at Grange
  • Choice of calf type
  • Teagasc Green Acres Calf-to-Beef Programme

Health & Reproduction 

  • Increasing AI usage on suckler herds
  • 2-year old calving
  • Parasite control and anthelmintic use

Feeding & Meat Quality

  • Producing high quality silage
  • Concentrate ration formulation
  • Factors affecting meat quality

Being both Competitive and Sustainable

  • Increasing nutrient efficiency & water quality
  • Enhancing biodiversity
  • Reducing carbon footprint

Education

  • Pathways for a career in agriculture
  • Revised agricultural training options
  • Details of local education courses

Keeping yourself safe on the farm

  • Safety at work
  • Keeping children safe
  • Identification of hazards

Highlights

Forum: ‘Sustainable Family Beef Farming Businesses’

This will be a panel discussion facilitated by Richard Curran from The Dragons Den & RTE Radio 1 ‘The Business’. The panel will include a number of successful beef farmers, as well as a representative from the beef industry. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Mr. Michael Creed will also contribute to this discussion.

Live Demonstrations: Essential technologies to enhance technical efficiency
Live demonstrations will include the design and implementation of an ideal grazing infrastructure, animals of varying suckler €uro Star Indexes, calves of varying genotype from the new Dairy Calf-to-Beef programme and AI usage in suckler herds. There will be workshops on calf rearing, Anti-Microbial Resistance, 2-year old calving and health and safety. A number of national experts have
accepted invitations to participate in the workshops.

Research to adoption: Extension methods
A wide range of extension methodologies are employed by Teagasc to transfer research fi ndings to beef farmers. Use this opportunity to meet and discuss your ideas with Teagasc staff . Teagasc have a range of specialists in all the key technology areas. You will have the opportunity to discuss one-to-one solutions to your problems using the many decision support tools developed by Teagasc.

A Supply Chain Solution

Ireland is part of a large high-value EU market that returns a high price for beef and is consequently, in a strong position to avail of the growing EU of processors and Bord Bia, Irish beef has increased penetration in the main EU markets. Kevin Dundon arguably one of Ireland’s most recognized and respected chefs, will deliver a range of cooking demonstrations live using beef recipes.

Building a Competitive Beef Sector

The beef sector is among the most important Irish indigenous industries. There are over 100,000 farms contributing to beef production in Ireland, of which 68,000 farms are involved in specialist beef production.  Total beef production increased by 4.5% to 615,000 tonnes between 2016 and 2017. Beef exports in 2017 amounted to 20% of total agri-food exports, worth €2.5 billion, representing a 65% increase in export value compared to 2010.

Key industry experts from Bord Bia, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Animal Health Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Irish Farmers Journal, Health & Safety Authority, University College Dublin and Meat Technology Ireland will be present on the day to discuss individual farmer queries.

There will be a live animal interactive stand on selecting tomorrows Suckler Cow with the Irish Farmers Journal/ICBF/Bord Bia.

This major Open Day will provide the roadmap to deliver new goals for the Irish Beef industry.

Teagasc acknowledges with gratitude the support of:

Contact Details:

For further information please contact:
Ms. Loreto Ferguson
Tel: 076 – 1112914
Email: loreto.ferguson@teagasc.ie