The Beef Edge

Latest Episodes:

What you can expect from and the requirements for a Bord Bia audit May 10, 2023

Show notes

With 95% of beef Quality Assured at point of slaughter and 54,000 audits taking place on Irish Beef & Sheep farms, Damien Murray, Operations Co-ordinator Origin Green with the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme, busts some myths around the audit on this week’s Beef Edge podcast .

One of the requirements of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme is that the farm has to be quality assured and Damien discusses what is required and the preparation needed in advance of the audit.

He also explains what happens on the day of the audit and the post-audit as well.

For further details go to:

https://farm.bordbia.ie

The helpdesk contact details are:

01 5240410

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

Your questions on the EuroStar Index & SCEP programme answered May 03, 2023

Show notes

On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Niall Kilrane from ICBF, discusses the EuroStar Index and queries relating to SCEP.

Niall outlines how star ratings are valued and why they change. He highlights the importance of the data that farmers record and send back on surveys as part of previous schemes and the impact this has had.

Niall also discusses some of the queries that arose at the recent Teagasc spring breeding events around the country.

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

Grazing clover into the grazing sward Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

On this week’s Beef Edge podcast, we’re joined by Ciaran Lynch, host of the Teagasc OviCast podcast, for a joint episode to discuss all things clover with Dr. Mike Egan, Teagasc researcher.

Mike starts by highlighting the potential role of clover in drystock systems, how it works and the potential cost savings.

We discuss the impact of soil fertility and weed control has on successful establishment and Mike talks about the impact of timing, sowing rate and varieties selection and over-sowing methods of incorporating clover in to sward.

Post-sowing management can have a big impact on establishment and Mike brings us through grazing management from establishment to closing up at the end of the grazing season as well as offering some tips on minimising the risk of bloat.

Finally, Mike highlights the suite of resources available for farmers to find out more about clover.

For more information go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2022/Clover-Management-2022.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

Key aspects of a synchronisation regime for a suckler beef herd Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Dr.Colin Byrne, researcher in Teagasc Grange is on this week’s Beef edge podcast to discuss key aspects of a synchronisation regime for a suckler beef herd.

Current usage of artificial insemination (AI) is low in Irish suckler herds and this has implications for the speed of genetic improvement.

In Ireland, approximately 1 out of every 5 calves born in beef herds are bred from artificial insemination and Colin discusses the benefits of AI.

He outlines different synchronisation regimes for beef heifers and beef cows over 35 days calved.

With sexed semen more widely available for beef sires in the past number of years, Colin also discusses the success rates.

For further details:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/beef/Synchronisation-Regimens-for-beef-cows-and-heifers.pdf

And information on examination of bulls for breeding:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Examination-of-Bulls-for-breeding.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

Key management tips for the weeks ahead Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

DairyBeef 500 manager, Alan Dillon, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update from the programme and key management tips for the weeks ahead.

Firstly, Alan reviews the profit monitors from last year and explains what the margins were for farmers in the programme.

With all the recent rainfall, grazing conditions have been difficult and Alan discusses how farmers are coping and planning for the weeks ahead.

Most farmers have had to rehouse stock and hence have very little grazed and Alan highlights the different options.

Due to the delayed turnout, some cattle will be drafted now, remaining housed and be finished from the shed and Alan goes through the various tips and advises farmers to discuss the options with their advisor.

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

Closing up silage ground - the key things to consider Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

With farmers starting to close up silage ground in the coming weeks, Teagasc Drystock advisor Gerard Cregg based in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the main things farmers need to consider.

Gerard advises to complete a fodder budget for silage that will be needed and it is important to determine the quality of silage also needed and to have a plan.

Applying the required N, P & K nutrients is also important and Gerard discusses the various fertiliser plans.

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

The benefits of lime & applying for the liming programme Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Nationally, 57% of drystock soils have a lime requirement, based on the National Soil Fertility Report 2022.

Teagasc researcher Mark Plunkett is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the recent National Liming programme.

There is an €8 million budget available which equates to €16/t subsidy available.

The key benefits of liming grassland soils are:

- release up to 80 kg N /ha

- increase grass production by up to 2.0 t DM/ha

- increase soil P availability

- Increase clover sward productivity

Every effort should be made to make best use of this very good support to correct soil pH on drystock farms as there is such a large requirement and the potential benefits are massive.

The closing date for scheme applicants is 20th April, 2023 and farmers must apply for a minimum 10t to maximum 200 tonne based on an up-to-date soil analysis which is required.

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

SCEP: what do I need to know? Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Peter Harte, from the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, is on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to outline the new Suckler Carbon Efficiency programme - SCEP.

SCEP is the successor to the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP), has a budget of €260 million over five years, and is co-funded by the EU under the CSP.

SCEP rewards participant farmers with a payment equivalent to €150/cow on the first 22 cows and €120/cow on subsequent cows.

The National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme 2023 is a successor to similar schemes in 2021 and 2022, has a budget of €5 million, and is funded from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

Applications for both measures can be lodged through agfood.ie with a closing date of 2 May for the Dairy Beef Scheme and 22 May for the SCEP.

Further details at:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0e730-minister-mcconalogue-announces-opening-of-265m-suckler-and-beef-support-schemes/

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

How to achieve your targets this Spring Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Teagasc Future Beef advisor, Gabriel Trayers, is on the week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss how to achieve the targets this spring, getting out to grass and the various scenarios across the country.

With difficult grazing conditions around the country this past week, Gabriel outlines steps farmers can take.

There are two main categories of farmers: those that have got out early and those yet to start grazing and Gabriel discusses the various options.

Mixed beef and sheep farm systems differ from a grazing point of view with ewes and lambs a priority this month.

Gabriel also highlights the importance of good grazing infrastructure and he discusses fertiliser recommendations and the importance of lime.

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

Preventing & treating calf diseases Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

Martin Kavanagh, Vet and Business Development Manager with Muster Bovine, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to discuss how to prevent and treat calf diseases.

Marin discusses prevention and treatment of calf scours. Pneumonia is highly dependent on the calf housing and environment of the calf which Martin advises on how to improve drainage, ventilation and have plenty of bedding to allow calves to nest.

Hygiene is also critical and Martin outlines the different cleaning protocols of feeding equipment.

Finally, he advises to speak to your vet to develop a good vaccination protocol and parasite programme specific to your herd.

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

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