The Beef Edge

Latest Episodes:

The Beef Edge Masterclass with Martin Shaughnessy Apr 07, 2021

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With only 20% of beef farmers using AI, suckler & sheep farmer Martin Shaughnessy from Co. Mayo joins Catherine Egan on this week’s podcast for a Beef Edge Masterclass to discuss his beef system & how he uses AI on his farm. Martin explains that he operates a niche suckler to weanling system targeting breeding quality Belgian Blue weanlings for the export market. He has a compact calving season calving 18 cows from January to mid-March while he also lambs 120 ewes. Martin uses a vasectomised bull to help with heat detecting especially as he works off farm and he discusses using AI on his farm and how he selects sires. Any cow that does not go in calf is culled he says. A paddock system is used on the farm which utilises grass. Martin allows the calves to creep graze in front of the cows by using a plastic horse fencing post to raise the polywire. Martin then talks about his catchment area and how he protects it. You can watch a video of Martin’s farm here: https://youtu.be/vtJXHJMhbVQ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Important advice if you're thinking of buying a new stock bull Mar 31, 2021

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With breeding season around the corner on many farms, Teagasc drystock advisor David Argue, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast and with over 80% of beef farmers using stock bulls, David discusses some top tips when selecting a new stock bull. David advises farmers to examine their herd of cows first and figure out the exact genetic traits they are lacking and that the farmer is looking to improve upon. Knowing what system of production the farmer is in is important, as selecting a bull to breed replacement heifers will be very different to selecting a bull to breed beef cattle. David highlights that it is important to keep in mind that the breeding of any individual bull should be taken into consideration as bulls bred from different lines within breeds can vary hugely when it comes to individual traits. In addition to the traits, David gives his top tips on carrying out a visual assessment of a new bull. Ideally buy a bull that is fertility tested and from a disease free herd. ICBF also have a tool available on their web page where a farmer can type in an animals tag number and the information in relation to that animal will be displayed. The stock bull finder is also available on the ICBF website at: https://webapp.icbf.com/v2/app/bull-finder David also warns that there has been a number of deaths on Irish farms over the last few years along with farm accidents relating to bulls and warns to ‘avoid being careless around the bull, there is no such thing as a quiet bull, they can turn at any time’. For further information on the examination of bulls for breeding soundness go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2018/examination-of-bulls-for-breeding-soundnessan-illustrated-guide.php For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

What impact can weed control & drainage work have on water quality? Mar 24, 2021

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Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advice Programme advisors Mary Roache & Meabh O’Hagan join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast as part of Water Quality Week to highlight correct weed control management & tips on carrying out drainage work to reduce impact on water quality. Firstly, Mary discussed the main types of weeds farmers want to control. With docks being the most common, Mary discussed the chemical and non-chemical methods of control. Mary also advised farmers as to what they must look out for when using pesticides to avoid getting any into our water supplies such as correct application rate, method and buffer zones. To conclude Mary advised farmers to look at the Basic Payment pack they received recently to complete the necessary recording paperwork for cross compliance. Only a DAFM-registered professional user can apply Plant Protection Products that are authorised for professional use. It is a requirement for sprayers over 3 years of age to have passed a Pesticide Application Equipment Test before being used to apply professional use Plant Protection Products. Meabh then discussed how land drainage impacts water quality and how farmers can minimise the impact. When it comes to carrying out new drainage works, Meabh advised to consider the bigger picture in relation to new environmental schemes in the future and to talk to your advisor in advance of undertaking any work. Meabh highlighted that drain maintenance should only take place when needed and after spawning has occurred from July- Sept. She also advised on the ways to minimise the amount of maintenance drains require. Farmers get more information about how to appropriately carry out drainage and drain maintenance here: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/soil/soil-drainage/ For further information on Water Quality Week: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/water-quality/water-quality-week/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

An Update on the Dairy Beef Index Mar 17, 2021

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As part of the Teagasc & ICBF breeding week, Teagasc researchers Nicky Byrne & Alan Twomey join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the Dairy Beef Index (DBI) and an insight into its impact in the future. The Dairy Beef Index is a breeding goal for Irish dairy and beef farmers to promote high quality beef cattle bred from the dairy herd that are more saleable as calves and profitable at slaughter yet, they have minimal consequences on the calving difficulty or gestation length of the dairy cow. Alan explains that it is delivering easy calving for the dairy farmer and high carcass merit for the beef farmer and going forwards in the future it will have a greater impact as it is still early days for being implemented on farm. Nicky advises that the DBI is a great development as it will allow for the identification of bulls with the balance of traits needed to bring better integration of the needs of both dairy and beef farmers, and it will allow for individuals to be identified across a range of breeds, which will become important in flattening the supply curve of dairy beef animals born from a seasonal system. He says that ‘a higher proportion of beef calves will bring greater system efficiency in terms of feed, carcass and probably younger ages at slaughter compared to pure dairy males’. It is especially important for the various bonus and QA pricing system which are in place, which generally require animals to be of a conformation score of greater than O-. Conformation is the number one to increase the value of every kg of beef, similar to our protein and fat in a milk pricing scenario. Both Alan and Nicky believe that beef farmers need to insist that all beef calves are by high genetic merit beef sires to secure their investment and level of risk, so rather than premium prices, it should be a basic requirement. Finally, Nicky concludes with an update of the research in Teagasc Grange on the DBI. Further information on the Dairy Beef index go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/beef/understanding-the-dairy-beef-index-dbi.php For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Making Quality Silage Part 1: Graze, Fertilise & Close Mar 10, 2021

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25% of the annual feed budget consists of grass silage and silage accounts for 40% of the feed costs for the year. Hence it’s so important to make the best quality silage as possible. On this week’s Beef edge podcast Teagasc Drystock advisor Terry Carroll and Kilkenny beef farmer John Phelan join Catherine Egan in a two part series on making quality silage. On this first episode John and Terry highlight all the top tips relating to grazing, fertilising and closing silage ground. John also explains his mixed beef and tillage enterprise. He finishes 300-350 heifers per year and consistently makes excellent quality silage >75DMD. John details the benefits of making good quality silage including reduced costs and good performance with 0.8kg/head/day being achieved with 1kg or concentrates and top quality silage over the winter period. He believes that he would need to feed 3-4 kg of concentrates to achieve the same performance with poorer quality silage. Terry Carroll, Teagasc advisor in Kilkenny advises that farmers should graze silage ground to increase the quality and reduce dead material in the sward. He suggests that farmers need to have a plan as to when they want to cut silage and how much top quality silage the farm needs - every farm is different. By closing at the end of March, the aim is to harvest the crop mid-May, depending on the weather. Terry also advises on the fertiliser required to grow the crop and how farmers can assess for weeds, particularly docks. For further information on the 10 steps to making better quality silage go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2020/10-steps-to-making-better-quality-silage.php Or watch this video: https://fb.watch/47q9VdsXAz/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

What can I apply for under TAMS? Mar 03, 2021

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Teagasc specialist Tim Hyde joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, also known as TAMS which in January, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine announced it was extending. Grant aid is 60% for young trained farmers or 40% in all other cases up to a maximum of €80,000 spend for individuals or €160,000 for partnerships. Minimum spend is €2,000 (all figures exclude VAT). There have been 20 tranches of TAMS and the Minister also announced some amendments to the scheme for the new tranche which opened on 16th January. Tim highlights these amendments along with going through a list of what farmers can apply for including animal handling equipment such as fixed and temporary handling facilities, head scoops and weighing scales and feeding system for rearing calves. He also advises that farmers have to apply for planning permission for sheds and the steps needed. For further details talk to your local Teagasc advisor. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

What do I need to know about my Basic Payment Application 2021? Feb 24, 2021

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Last week the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine advised farmers that the application process for the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Greening Scheme has now opened online. Over the past few days, farmers have been receiving a BPS information pack in the post containing maps and land details and on this week’s Beef Edge podcast, Teagasc Farm Management Specialist James McDonnell, joins Catherine Egan to discuss all you need to know about your basic payment application online form. James went through all elements of the Direct Payments Schemes (BPS, Greening, Young Farmers Scheme, National Reserve, transferring of entitlements, and the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme). The closing date for BPS applications in 2021 is Monday 17th May and with Covid-19 restrictions, applications will be completed over the phone with your advisor. He advised farmers to check through maps and applications before and after the appointment. James urges farmers to avail of the early opening of the application process now rather than waiting until nearer the closing date. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

How to reduce your fertiliser costs in 2021 Feb 17, 2021

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If you want to reduce fertiliser bills on your farm, listen to this week’s Beef Edge podcast with Teagasc specialist Mark Plunkett joining Catherine Egan for top tips and advice Mark advises that the starting point on every farm is to have up to date soil sample results. In 2019 , there were 7,863 samples taken on drystock farms. These results show that 18% of these soils are optimum for lime, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Once samples are taken a nutrient management plan can be developed for the farm to ensure that fertiliser is applied efficiently. Certain paddocks on the farm can be targeted with lime , slurry and fertiliser as needed. Initially the pH status should be corrected to ensure that nutrients applied are utilised efficiently. Slurry is a valuable source of P and particularly K. 1,000 gallons of slurry is equivalent to a bag of 9-5-32. Mark advises that it should be targeted to silage ground which will help build P & K as cheaply as possible and reduce fertiliser costs for the silage crop. Based on soil samples fertiliser can be sourced by pricing around for the best value and using the correct rate and amount particularly for compound fertilisers e.g 18-6-12. For further information: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/soil--soil-fertility/soil-analysis/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Beef Edge Masterclass with James Madigan Feb 10, 2021

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James Madigan, a suckler farmer from Co. Kilkenny, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast for the latest in the show’s Masterclass series. James outlines his suckling to finishing system with bulls finished under 16 months and heifers under 20 months and he describes how he operates a split calving 50/50 spring and autumn calving herd with 100 cows put to the bull. The spring herd calves December-March and the autumn herd calves in August/September. He achieves great weight gain in his stock up to weaning and credits it due to the grass and milk in his cows. There are three Charolais stock bulls on the farm of which two are terminal and one is maternal. He breeds his own replacement heifers and purchases limousin cross from the dairy herd. James outlines the key targets he has to achieve to finish bulls under 16 months. This year’s weanlings achieved 0.54kg/head/day for the first two months at housing. James also highlights that achieving excellent quality silage is necessary to reduce cost and to ensure he makes a profit with 76DMD silage made last year. The type of cow on the farm is also essential to provide top quality stock that meet the spec requirements while having milk to rear the calf. James insists ‘Look after the cow and she’ll look after you.’ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The key tips for caring for the newborn calf Feb 03, 2021

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Calving the suckler cow and caring for the new born calf are important tasks on every spring suckler herd in the coming weeks and for the second in a two-part interview, vet Tommy Heffernan joins Catherine Egan to discuss the key tips for caring for the newborn calf. Tommy first outlines how building the immunity of the calf is important through quality colostrum and describes the 1-2-3 rule of colostrum and how to administer it with a stomach tube if necessary. Hygiene is also very important and use of adequate amounts of straw is a big help. Treating the calf’s navel is the first point to avoid issues of infection and Tommy discusses the types and treatments of calf scour particularly Cryptosporidium and Coccidiosis. He also explains that respiratory infections and diseases are one of the main causes of deaths in unweaned calves, highlighting the main causes and treatments. Finally, Tommy advises on the use of vaccinations to prevent clostridial diseases and unfortunately it is often too late when detected. For further information please consult your local vet. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

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