The Beef Edge

Latest Episodes:

How to best manage your animal health during winter Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

‘Getting Winter Ready’ is a three-part series on the Beef Edge podcast focusing on nutrition, health and housing and for this second part, vet Cara Sheridan with MSD Animal Health discusses how to manage animal health over the winter. Cara highlights the importance of making adjustments to housing, fixing drinkers and ensuring cattle are dosed and vaccinated prior to housing. It is best to try and house stock on a dry day, keep stress low, divide stock bases on ages and weight and monitor stocking rates in sheds. Cara discusses in detail the anthelmintic treatment of lungworm, gutworm, fluke and lice (biting, sucking lice) for different types of cattle groups. In relation to animals that are sick or show symptoms, the animal should be isolated and Cara advises to act quick, get your vet involved to investigate and implement a targeted treatment plan. Plus, Cara highlights the benefits of learning from last year to plan for this year. For more information: AHI Heath Videos: https://animalhealthireland.ie/resources/?q=&resource_type%5B%5D=videos&prog%5B%5D=parasite-control Parasite Control at housing: https://animalhealthireland.ie/assets/uploads/2021/06/PC-at-Housing-2021.pdf?dl=1 For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Managing nutrition over the winter to maximise performance Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

‘Getting Winter Ready’ is a three-part series on the Beef Edge podcast focusing on nutrition, health and housing. For this first part, on this week’s episode Teagasc Advisor John Kelly from county Offaly discusses managing nutrition over the winter to maximise performance. John highlights that there are a combination of factors such as management, diet and housing that impact on performance over the winter. These are overcome by trying to maximise the animals’ intake and performance whilst reducing stress and minimising any dietary upsets. When it comes to beef cattle rations, John advises farmers to look for the energy content as it is the most important nutrient, followed by protein which is needed for growth. Reading the feed label and analysing what is value for money rather than sounding good value is important he says. The first ingredient, he explains, has the highest content and work back from there. Be cautious of any fillers as their feed value versus barley are much lower. To arrange getting a silage sample tested, you can contact your local Teagasc advisor. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Beef Edge Masterclass with Thomas Hogan, Grass10 Beef Grassland Farmer of the Year Oct 20, 2021

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In preparation for the last grazing rotation, Thomas Hogan from Nenagh Co. Tipperary, and Grass10 Beef Grassland Farmer of the Year, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his beef suckling to store system and his autumn plan. Thomas operates a spring calving system with 70 cows expected to calve down in 2022. Cows are mainly Limousin and Simmental cross and Thomas places a major focus on the replacement index to select cows with milk and sires with good conformation and easy calving. Thomas describes the grazing year to date and his plan for the rest of the year. Maximising performance on weanlings is very important to Thomas. Last year’s weanlings achieved 0.7kg/head/day over the winter period. This ensures that replacement heifers hit their targets to go in calf and calve down at 24 months. For further Information on the Grassland Farmer of the Year visit: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grassland-farmer-of-the-year-2021/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Helping farmers health & well-being Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

As part of Ag mental health week, Conor Hammersley, Teagasc PhD Walsh scholar, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the findings of his study as part of the ‘On Feirm Ground’ project. Irish male farmers experience some of the highest levels of adverse health outcomes relative to other occupations and Conor highlights how his recent study throws new light on male farmers’ health seeking behaviour. Farmers tend to prioritise farm work and the health of their animals over their own health and safety and Conor describes how this can be overcome. There are many challenges and stressors facing farmers on a daily basis, but he says, the act of seeking help poses particular challenges for farmers as most problems encountered are universal. Conor offers some advice for farmers listening or anyone concerned about a family member. For further information on Ag Mental Health Week: https://www.facebook.com/Agmentalhealthweek https://twitter.com/AgMentalHealth https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/farm-health--safety/farmer-health/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Finishing budgets with Teagasc’s Aidan Murray Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

With weanling sales taking place across the country, Teagasc Beef specialist, Aidan Murray, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to discuss a number of finishing budgets. As no two farms are the same, Aidan advises that farmers should consider their input costs such as silage quality and concentrates, management of the beef system if it’s short or long, and stocking rates or fixed costs when completing their own beef finishing budgets. Prices for weanlings are good this autumn, compared to previous years. Aidan highlights that they have increased by 7% across all categories of stock with heavier stock up by 12%. This is the first year prices have exceeded 2015 levels Aidan says, as prices were usually much lower than 2015 prices. From the shorter keep winter finishing and bull systems to the longer autumn to autumn and weanling to beef systems, there are a number of systems Aidan discusses. In order to include a €50 margin on a winter finish system this winter, prices of €5/kg will be needed next Spring. The weanling to finishing budget takes a 280kg heifer and a 300kg weanling (steer) through to finish at 20 and 24 months. As these animals won’t be finished until 2023, its extremely hard to predict the market and prices into the future, Aidan highlights. The autumn to autumn appears to be the most attainable in terms of achieving a margin. Aidan also focuses on good silage quality and grassland management to reduce costs as much as possible with €4.26/KG required next autumn for a continental type animal to break even. Finally, he discusses a number of key considerations for farmers selling weanlings in the coming weeks. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Newford farm update Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Newford farm technician Michael Fagan joins Catherine Egan with an update on the farm and performance review of the herd in Athenry. Breeding season started on the 21st April and finished 30th June lasting 10 weeks. With 100% AI used, tail painting and two teasers bulls with chin balls alongside two Moo Heats were used for heat detection. A.I. was carried out each day at 12pm. Only 19 cows were AI’d twice out of 81 cows . Cows were checked 4/5 times daily. In total there were 107 animals for breeding, 81 mature cows and 26 maiden heifers. Cows and calves were weighed on the 28th July as part of BEEP-S. The cows average weight was 618 kg while the bull calves were on average 261kgs (ADG 1.44kg/day) and heifers were 248kgs (ADG 1.34kg/day). Michael also discussed the weaning process and the performance of the 2020-born bullock and heifers and how they will be managed from now until finish. Watch weaning in Newford in 2020 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFgOD02kVAA For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Transferring the family farm - where do I start? Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

Transferring the family farm is so much more than just a simple business transaction and there are a number of complex issues to be addressed. On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Teagasc Financial Management Specialist, James McDonnell, joins Catherine Egan with key advice to help farm families through this process and all aspects that need to be considered when writing a succession plan. James discusses what the key terms succession, inheritance and farm transfer actually mean and how they differ and he explains how preparing a will is the first step. James outlines the key questions farmers need to ask as well as highlighting the tax and business issues farmers should be aware of and a range of ways to integrate farm generations. An important point to remember is that there is a huge support network available to start the transfer process with the first person your local Teagasc advisor or Agricultural consultant. ‘Transferring the Family Farm’ takes place on Zoom this year as a two part webinar on 6th & 13th October 2021 and you can register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6kYYwFL1QM2QhhcYL6rlOg For further information: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/succession--inheritance/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Beef management tips for the next 6-8 weeks Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc Green Acres programme manager Alan Dillon joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast with an update on the dairy calf to beef programme as well as practical beef management tips for the coming weeks. Alan explains that the main points of focus for farmers in the next 6-8 weeks is building grass as well as having a closing plan and it’s important to start preparing now for the last grazing rotation. Herd health management is also essential to reduce impact on performance over the winter period and Alan outlines the important steps farmers will need to be taking in preparation for housing. He says that this is the ideal time to take silage samples to analyse the quality of the silage being fed this winter. Based on the results you will know how much and what type of concentrates to feed. The Green Acres programme is also hosting two on-farm events in the coming weeks which farmers can attend and Alan explains that each stage of the system from rearing to finishing will be discussed on the day The on-farm events are: Wednesday, 29 September at 3:30pm on the farm of JP Hammersley, Lattin, Co. Tipperary Eircode E34A389. Pre-booking is essential at (052) 6121300, Teagasc Clonmel. Tuesday, 5 October at 2pm on the farm of Irvine Allen, Mount Temple, Moate, Co. Westmeath. Pre-booking is essential at (057) 9321405 Teagasc Tullamore. For further updates: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/green-acres-calf-to-beef/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

The Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme audit – everything you need to know Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

With over 34,000 audits taking place on Irish Beef & Sheep farms each year, Emma O’Gorman, Quality Assurance and Origin Green co-ordinator at Bord Bia joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to bust some myths around the audit. Emma describes how it demonstrates to customers that quality beef and lamb are produced sustainably under an accredited Scheme and provide an on-going means of demonstrating best practice at farmer level. There are 51,584 certified beef producers of which 41,770 are beef-only producers. Every 18 months farmers must complete an audit and Emma describes the preparation in advance of the audit and highlights that help is available to farmers through the website, the Bord Bia helpline and in the pre-audit pack sent out to farmers. Emma also discusses animal remedy usage recording, animal remedy purchases recording and the farm safety risk assessment as being the main areas of non-compliance and outlines how this can be overcome. With farm audits starting again on farm, Emma highlights how the auditor is there to help and make the process as easy as possible on the day. For further information: Preparing for the audit https://farm.bordbia.ie/Prepare.aspx Bord Bia website https://farm.bordbia.ie Bord Bia contacts: Call 015240410 - To speak directly to Helpdesk staff 0831800069 - To send closeout evidence by SMS (ensure herd number is included in message) closeout@bordbia.ie - To email closeout evidence (insert herd number as subject title of email) Bord Bia helpdesk, Tralee Road Industrial Estate, Castleisland, Co. Kerry - Postal address to post closeout evidence to. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

From Farm to Fork Part 2 – the system used and advice for other farmers Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

In the second of a two-part series looking at a farm to fork enterprise, Jim Ryan, owner of Ryan’s Farm, who operates a premium on-farm butchers alongside is his farm in Kells, Co. Meath joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast. Jim describes how he manages the cattle from purchase to finish and gives advice for other farmers who may be considering this career path. Jim discusses how the beef enterprise is operated on the farm with heifers brought to finish alongside his 220 ewe flock. Herd health is very important and Jim has a good biosecurity and vaccination protocol drawn up for his farm. For further information on Ryans Farm go to: http://www.ryansfarm.com/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

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