Launching BEEF2018 were Prof Gerry Boyle, Pat Dillon, Teagasc; Michael Berkery, FBD Trust; Cliona Murphy, Teagasc; Richard Curran, RTE; Dr Noel Cawley, Teagasc; Brendan Gleeson, DAFM; Pearse Kelly, Teagasc; Edward O Riordan, Teagasc; Loreto Ferguson, Teagasc.

Enhancing technologies theme of BEEF2018 in Grange

John Donohoe

Published: Mon 25 Jun 2018, 10:55 AM

Last updated: Mon 25 Jun 2018, 12:06 PM

Teagasc's major Beef Open Day, BEEF2018, take places tomorow, Tuesday 26th June, at Grange in Kiltale, Dunsany. Thousands of cattle farmers, from all over the country, are expected to attend this major national beef event, which is sponsored by FBD.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Enhancing Technologies’. The short term outlook for beef prices in 2018 are good, however in the medium term there will be significant challenges around Brexit, CAP reform and climate change. The emphasis of BEEF2018 is to highlight those technologies that will help underpin the future profitability of the beef sector. Technical updates will be provided on how to exploit superior genetics, improve performance from pasture and plan your herd’s health.

Professor Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc, said; “The beef sector is among the most important Irish indigenous industries. Total production increased by 4.5% to 615,000 tonnes in 2017. Beef exports in 2017 were worth €2.5 billion, representing a 65% increase in value compared to 2010. BEEF2018 will be a day not to be missed by anyone with an interest in the Irish beef industry.”
There will be something to be learned by all cattle farmers at this beef open day, from suckler beef producers to those specialising in dairy calf to beef systems. There will be a focus on all the key determinants of profitability –breeding, grassland management, herd health, and financial management. Teagasc will be supported by key industry experts from Bord Bia, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Animal Health Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Irish Farmers Journal and University College Dublin in providing the complete picture for cattle farmers.

Technologies

A new addition to this year’s event will be a demonstration of the design and implementation of an ideal grazing infrastructure, which includes drainage, roadways, water and fencing. This will be followed by four technical stands which will provide updates on ‘Suckler Calf to Beef’, ‘Dairy Calf to Beef’, ‘Profitable breeding and herd health’ and ‘High performance from pasture’.

Then the event will open out into a series of interactive villages covering GRASS10 ’ Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER Farm Beef Programme’, ‘Dairy Calf to Beef’, ‘Health and Reproduction’, ‘Feeding and Meat Quality’, ‘Being both Competitive and Sustainable’, Education’ and ‘Keeping Yourself Safe on Beef Farms’.

Another new feature this year will be the display of calves of varying genotype from the new Dairy Calf to Beef programme, as well as replacement heifers of varying suckler €uro Star Indexes for the new Grange Maternal herd.

Live Demonstrations
In addition to the live demonstrations in the various villages there will be a live animal interactive stand on selecting tomorrow’s suckler cow with the Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Cattle Breeding Federation. Kevin Dundon, one of Ireland’s most respected chefs will hold a range of live cooking demonstrations, using beef recipes.

Farmers’ forum
In the afternoon there will be a panel discussion facilitated by Richard Curran from RTÉ. 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, Michael Creed, TD will also contribute to this discussion.