The Beef Edge

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The school competition that challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves over 18 months Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

This week’s Beef Edge podcast finds out about the Certified Irish Angus Schools competition that challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves over 18 months while completing a research project and which is organised in partnership with ABP Ireland and Kepak Group. Catherine Egan is joined by Darragh Barlow, a student at the Abbey School Tipperary town which is one of the five finalist schools, his Ag Science teacher Michael O’Dwyer, and William Delaney from the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group. Darragh describes their journey to date and how the calves have been managed and how they have performed. Darragh highlights how the Angus breed suits a sustainable farming system and he says that there are numerous advantages to being a finalist in the competition, encouraging other students to participate. Agricultural Science teacher Michael O’Dwyer outlines the benefits of the competition as a teacher and says that the extent of the competition has gone far beyond just the actual students in the competition and has been a great experience for the entire school. William Delaney, organiser of the competition encourages other schools to get involved and highlights the steps are required to get into the competition. The next competition will be launched in September with further details are available here: https://www.certifiedirishangus.ie/certified-irish-angus-schools-competition/ 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

Insights from Sligo Contract Rearer, Kieran Kielty Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

Contract rearer Kieran Kielty from Co.Sligo joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss how he operates a contract heifer rearing system. Kieran explains how he has developed the system over the past number of years and he outlines the importance of grassland management and quality silage in this system. As Kieran works off farm he highlights the benefits of contract rearing while maintaining a work life balance. Being a part of the local contract rearing discussion group is also a benefit to Kieran as he gets to visit other farms and discuss management decisions with other like-minded farmers in the same system. 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

Contract rearing – an alternative income opportunity? Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

With many drystock farmers looking for possible alternative income opportunities for their farms, contract heifer rearing has increasingly become an option and Teagasc advisor Tom Coll and specialist Gordon Peppard join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss what’s involved. Gordon says it is a very attractive option with a lot of benefits such as providing a steady monthly cash flow, reduced investment and reduced risks associated with beef prices with potentially more profits if managed correctly. Gordon also discusses the contract heifer rearing agreement and outlines the costs involved for the rearer - the highest cost periods to the contract rearer will be during calf rearing and winter housing. Tom Coll has been working with around twenty farmers that have started contract rearing on their farms over the past eight years and as a result, established a discussion group with these farmers. Tom outlines why farmers consider this as an alternative system for their farms and he emphasises that improving silage quality and maximising grass in the diet is important. There have been a lot of lessons learned from the farmers which Tom discusses in detail from management, health, breeding, grass and meeting targets. For contract heifer rearing to be a success it must be a win–win situation for all parties. A level of trust, honesty and flexibility must exist between parties. Events may change and things will go wrong, so good communication and a give and take attitude are required. It is important to have a written agreement so that the responsibilities of each party are clear. Payment on time is important and fulfilling requirements set out at the start are essential. Further information is available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/collaborative-farming/contract-heifer-rearing/ https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/rural-development/diversification/contract-heifer-rearing-/ 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

Breeding Season for the Derrypatrick Herd May 26, 2021

Show notes

Derrypatrick herd Manager, Michael McManus, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the breeding season. There is 100% AI used in the herd and Michael describes how sires are selected and what sires are being used this year. It has been a very difficult year on the farm managing grass like other farms around the country and he highlights how some of the silage ground had to be grazed and will be cut at the end of June. Michael then gives an overview of how last year’s cattle performed and the plan for the rest of the year. 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

BDGP, BEAM, BEEP-S Update May 19, 2021

Show notes

Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the various beef schemes. Firstly, Aidan outlined the actions that farmers had to continue to do in order to comply with the BDGP 1 extension and Aidan advised on various scenarios such as a stock bull being injured or replaced. Next Aidan discussed the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) as applicants committed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the period 01 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 as compared with the period 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. Aidan said that farmers can choose to defer the commitment to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the period 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 as compared with the period 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. Penalties for non-compliance were also outlined. Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Sucklers (BEEP-S) was launched earlier in 2021. Aidan highlighted the various actions that farmers need to complete based on what was selected at application. The dairy calf to beef programme, is a new scheme launched in 2021 and Aidan discussed in detail the requirements that farmers must complete to comply. 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

Top Tips for Making Quality Silage May 12, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc drystock advisor Terry Carroll and beef farmer John Phelan join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the importance of harvesting silage and the ensiling process in making top quality silage. Given the last few weeks with poor grass growth on farm, Terry advises farmers to make the best quality silage possible now and meet your requirements for good quality silage first depending on the stock you intend to keep over the winter. He says that by delaying harvest date, it will reduce the dry matter digestibility of the crop and overall quality. This will lead to increased cost next winter due to increased concentrates. Terry said that farmers can get a sample of grass tested in their local Teagasc office by contacting their advisor to determine sugar content or if there are concerns over nitrates. Kilkenny store-to-finish farmer John Phelan explains that due to weather in the past month he will be delaying harvest by ten days and intends to cut silage on 25th May - weather depending. John also discusses the silage process on his farm and he highlights the importance of quality silage on his farm particularly for reducing costs on farm and achieving maximum weight gains next winter. He then discusses the importance of health and safety during this period on farm also. For further information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Teagasc-Quality-Grass-Silage-Guide.pdf 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

An Update on REAP May 05, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc specialist Catherine Keena joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the new Results Based Environment Agri Pilot Programme also known as REAP. REAP is an agri-environment pilot project that pays farmers to maintain and improve the environmental conditions of their land. Farmers will bring in between 2ha and 10ha of land which will be scored in year one to establish its environmental condition. Farmers will work with their advisers to undertake environmental improvement works on the land that can increase the environmental score in year two. REAP will focus on improving existing farm features rather than the creation of new features and habitats. Farms with higher environmental scores will receive larger payments. The pilot will test the ‘Results-Based’ approach and prepare farmers, Advisors and DAFM for the Agri Environment Scheme in the new Rural Development Programme in 2023. There is no guarantee of entry. The deadline to apply is the 10th May and contact your advisor or local Teagasc office to apply. Further info can be found here: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/schemes--regulations/reap/ 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

Weaning Tips from the Green Acres Farms Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

With calves being weaned on dairy calf to beef farms across the country, Teagasc Green Acres programme advisors Sean Cummins & James Fitzgerald join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with top tips on weaning, advice for the year ahead and an update on the farms. Firstly, Sean has an update on the calves’ performance in the Green acres programme this spring. He highlights the key targets up to weaning and the weaning process. Sean also discusses the herd health plan of the calves to date and key targets for grazing season ahead. James discusses the performance of the weanlings over the winter and over the spring so far. He also reviews the slaughter performance of the stock in 2020. Sean and James conclude with three main tips that the farmers will be focused on for the coming weeks and months. For further updates click here: 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

Quality vs Quantity - how do I maximise silage yield per hectare? Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc Drystock advisor Joe Hand joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss how to maximise silage yield this year on your farm. Firstly, Joe highlights a number of factors which influence silage yield such as soil P, K, and pH levels, soil compaction, reseeded swards and fertiliser applied to the crop Joe advises that sub-optimal soil fertility is probably the core reason that target silage yields and digestibility are not achieved. Through experiments carried out on-farm with Walsh fellowship student Louise Pearse, Joe explained the findings. He noted a difference in yield of 3.8 t vs 5t from following recommended fertiliser rates which is a difference of 1.2 tonne yield dry matter per hectare or a 30% increase yield. A silage quality guide to complete for your farm developed by Joe & Louise is available here: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/beef/Silage-Quality-2021.pdf 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

Grassland Management Tips for the Coming Weeks Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

Teagasc Grass 10 Manager John Maher is on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast with top tips in relation to grassland management. With a difficult spring leading to challenging grazing conditions, John discussed and gave advice for the different scenarios on farms where grazing has been delayed and very little grazing has taken place to date or where farms are on target starting the second rotation. John also highlighted the importance of using Phosphorus and Sulphur at this time of year on grazing ground. To ensure quality in the sward John advised to grow the grass for 3 weeks and graze it in 3 days. For further information go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

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