The Beef Edge

Latest Episodes:

Newford Farm Review of the Year Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

Michael Fagan, technician on the Newford demonstration farm in Co. Roscommon, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the farm and a review of the year since moving from Athenry Co.Galway.

Michael outlines how the move has been busy with repurposing sheds, reseeding, installing paddocks and water systems, all the while getting used to the overall change in location and soil type of the farm.

Due to weather conditions, weanling and finishing performance is back and Michael discusses finishing cattle performance and management of the cows prior to calving.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Contract heifer rearing – Liam Cassin’s experience Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Kilkenny farmer Liam Cassin is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his contract heifer rearing system.

Liam moved from sheep to suckler cows and started contract heifer rearing 14 years ago. The steady monthly cashflow alongside the reduced financial input of purchasing stock are key benefits for Liam.

Grassland management and a good paddock system are very important to make the system viable in order to reach the target weights, according to Liam.

Initially starting with one dairy farmer, Liam has increased the system to now working with four farmers contract rearing heifers.

The dairy farmer visited Liam’s farm and viewed the farm and Liam visited their farm initially. From there the business has thrived and each contract is different as Liam describes.

Further information is available here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/collaborative-farming/contract-heifer-rearing/

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Fluke: why is it such a problem this year? Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Natascha Meunier, Beef HealthCheck Programme Manager, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss how to control liver fluke effectively and understand it better.

Liver fluke is estimated to cost at least €90m to the Irish industry through reduced production and Natascha highlights how the incidence of liver fluke on this year’s Beef HealthCheck reports have doubled from 1% to 2%:

https://animalhealthireland.ie/programmes/beef-healthcheck/beef-healthcheck-online/

Each year, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in collaboration with Met Éireann, UCD, Teagasc and Animal Health Ireland advises farmers of the predicted risk of disease caused by liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection in livestock for the following winter.

This year’s forecast, based on meteorological data gathered between May and October 2024 by Met Éireann, predicts infection being most prevalent in the west and northern half of the country, with a somewhat lower disease prevalence in the southeast of the country.

Further details here:

https://www.gov.ie/ga/preasraitis/48ce4-liver-fluke-forecast-november-2024/

Natascha explains that while the Beef Health Check report is retrospective, it’s important to review when cattle are finished if the health plan is working.

Natascha also discusses the importance of faecal sampling and the different treatment options. It’s important for farmers to be vigilant especially if liver fluke has never been an issue on their farm in the past and she explains how rumen fluke can be identified and when to take action.

With the majority of stock housed in the past few weeks, Natascha advises in relation to respiratory issues, anthelmintics and importance of housing ventilation and air quality.

For further information on AHI Liver Fluke - The Facts:

https://www.animalhealthireland.ie/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Animal%20Health%20Liver%20Fluke%206pp-web(1).pdf

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Practical nutrient management solutions for your farm Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

Teagasc research officer Dr. Patrick Forrestal, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the practical nutrient management solutions that beef farmers can implement on their farms to increase efficiency, reduce costs and address environmental pressures facing the sector.

This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.

Further details from Patrick’s presentation are available at:

Presentation:

Practical nutrient management solutions (PDF)

Paper:

Practical nutrient management solutions (PDF)

Watch a video recording of Dr Patrick Forrestal's presentation:

https://youtu.be/euD2ERfN1zE

For further information on the conference please visit www.teagasc.ie/beefcon24

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Bonus Ep: The innovations on Future Beef suckler farms that are driving sustainability Nov 23, 2024

Show notes

There’s a bonus Beef Edge episode this week with Future Beef programme manager, Martina Harrington, discussing the innovations on Future Beef suckler farms which are driving sustainability.

This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.

Further details from Martina’s presentation are available at:

Paper:

Driving Sustainability Innovations on Future Beef Suckler Farms (PDF)

Watch a video recording of Martina Harrington's presentation:

https://youtu.be/x32GOxrr030

Find out more about the Future Beef Programme:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/

For further information on the conference please visit www.teagasc.ie/beefcon24

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

What impact is red and white clover having on animal performance? Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Teagasc researcher Dr. Peter Doyle outlines the impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems on this week’s Beef Edge podcast. This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.

Further details from Peter’s presentation are available at:

Presentation:

The impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems(PDF)

Paper:

The impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems(PDF)

Watch a video recording of Dr Peter Doyle's presentation here:

https://youtu.be/_yPqOPCMyDs

For further information on the conference please visit www.teagasc.ie/beefcon24

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

Health & Wellness coach, Shane Pearson, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss key tips to staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year.

Studies show that many farmers experience poor mental health, high rates of burnout, and physical health issues related to stress and Shane highlights a number of resources available for farmers and which can be accessed at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2024/Positive-Mental-Health.pdf

Farmers frequently face heightened stress during calving season, market preparations and inspections. By applying the 5 Ps of Resilience—Presence, Purpose, Power, People, and Preparation—farmers can build a solid foundation to handle stress, keep operations running smoothly, and sustain mental and physical well-being through each season.

Resilience isn’t about eliminating stress, it’s about having the right ‘shock absorbers’ to take each challenge in one’s stride, allowing farmers to manage their unique demands with greater ease and balance.

Shane will be speaking at the Teagasc National Beef Conference which is taking place on 19th November in the Landmark Hotel Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, at 5pm.

Other speakers at the National Beef Conference include:

· Dr. Peter Doyle, Research Officer, Teagasc Grange, will outline the impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems

· Dr. Patrick Forrestal, Senior Research Officer from Teagasc Johnstown Castle, will discuss some practical nutrient management solutions that beef farmers can implement on their farms to increase efficiency, reduce costs and address environmental pressures facing the sector

· Dr. John Donlon, Research Officer, Teagasc Grange, will out outline ways to control pneumonia in suckler weanlings

· Eoin Ryan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will discuss the risks for Irish cattle farmers in relation to bluetongue

· Martina Harrington, Programme Manager, Future Beef Programme, Teagasc, will outline innovations from the participants of Future Beef Suckler Farms

For further information go to:

www.teagasc.ie/beefcon2024

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Reviewing the Ballyhaise herd performance and preparations for the winter ahead Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

Liam McWeeney and Noel Prunty from Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss the beef system, review of the performance to date and preparing for winter ahead.

Liam first outlined the 32 cow suckler herd that is operated in a suckling to finishing system. Bulls are finished under 16 months and heifers are kept as replacements or finished under 20 months of age. The beef unit is 24ha of heavy soil type with some of the farm low lying.

AI is used on the farm to breed replacements and a Charolais stock bull is also used. Breeding went well this year and it done over 9 weeks with 92% of the cows proving in calf.

Bull weanlings were housed last week and are being fed 3kg/head/day of concentrates. Liam outlined the management up to finishing. Last year’s bulls averaged 390kg when finished at 14months of age.

Noel outlined the management indoors in the coming months and performance of heifers born in 2023.

Heifers calve at 24 months and Liam explained the management of the heifers to reach a target weight of 420kg by breeding, while Noel highlighted the importance of the herd health plan on the farm and over the housing period.

For further information on Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/education/teagasc-colleges/ballyhaise/

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

November Grass Update Nov 02, 2024

Show notes

Grass 10 advisor Niamh Doyle joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead.

Niamh discusses closing up paddocks with 60-70% targeted to be closed by early November. She also outlines the targets for the month ahead to extend grazing and reduce demand to maximise days at grass.

Drier than normal conditions continue to be predicted in the coming weeks which will help to extend grazing on farms. Temperatures are signalled to be closer to average, perhaps indicating a higher instance of night-time frosts.

Broadly settled conditions seem likely to continue with some mist and fog also. Conditions are likely to turn more unsettled with rainfall predicted to return close to normal and temperatures close to the average for mid-November.

You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Winter nutrition and diets with Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey, discusses winter nutrition and diets on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.

Aisling explains that beef systems are simple and it comes down to trying to maximise intake and growth whilst minimising stress and digestive upsets.

A combination of factors ultimately decides how close you get to growing and finishing cattle to their genetic potential such as management, diet, housing, water and disease control.

Aisling highlights the importance of taking a silage sample and discusses the targets to see in the report. Then based on the result, the concentrates are balanced.

Aisling also advises on the importance of energy and protein in the ration and for farmers to speak to their merchants about the ingredients to ensure high quality ingredients are included.

She then explains the inclusion of minerals in diets and it is important to be mindful of the dilution of nutrients when including minerals or getting farmers to compare diets. Minerals contribute no energy, fibre or protein – just ash and vital trace and macro elements.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com