The Beef Edge

Latest Episodes:

Grassland management tips to deal with the current weather conditions Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

John Maher, Manager Grass10 Campaign, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on grassland management tips to deal with current weather conditions. Managing grass in the coming weeks will play an import role in extending the grazing season and John highlights that each additional day at pasture is worth €2/LU. While there is huge variation across the country, John also discussed a number of issues that have been seen on farms at the moment. With the deadline to apply chemical Nitrogen and Potassium approaching on the 15th September, John advises to select the drier paddocks to apply fertiliser whilst also targeting responsive leafy swards such as reseeded or silage ground with good soil pH. Also, Potassium (K) is very important this time of year particularly on paddocks where surplus bales were removed. Watch previous GFOY winner Trevor Boland explain why he entered the competition: https://youtu.be/jTRgSrk9D2Q The link to the application form and for further information is: https://bit.ly/GFOY2020 For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

What you can do to help improve your water quality Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

Noel Meehan, Manager of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advice Programme (ASSAP) joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge to discuss the progress of the programme and what you can do to help improve water quality. Farming plays an important role in the Irish economy and landscape and approximately two-thirds of the Irish land area is in agricultural use. The quality of the water in our rivers, lakes and groundwater needs to improve and farming practices play a key role in this improvement. Noel states that the programme is a unique collaborative approach and has keen interest and involvement from farmers. Most often it’s a combination of approaches really and not a one size fits all approach when it comes to water quality. Noel gives some simple useful tips to improve water quality such as: - improved nutrient management with more targeted use of slurry and fertiliser - new approaches to land management to reduce nutrient losses in critical source areas - better farmyard management and practices For further information on the ASSAP programme go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/water-quality/farming-for-water-quality-assap/assap-in-detail/ For further information on The Signpost Series visit: https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/sustainable-agriculture-webinars/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Importance of Pregnancy Scanning Cows Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

The importance of pregnancy scanning cows is the topic on this week’s Beef Edge podcast and Catherine Egan is joined by Teagasc Researcher Professor David Kenny and Teagasc Advisor Sinead Devaney. David highlights the many benefits of scanning of cows as well as the importance of the correct timing of scanning to identify date of calving next spring, twins and possibly the sex of the embryo. Sinead then advises on the key points to be aware of this year when culling empty cows if you participate in the BEEP, BEAM or BDGP schemes. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

How to apply for the Beef Finishers Payment scheme Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss the Beef Finishers Payment scheme (BFP) which is an Exchequer-funded scheme of €50 million to provide income support for farmers with beef finishing enterprises, who have been impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has opened for applications. The Beef Finishers Payment scheme is open from August 19th and Aidan discusses how you can apply. An estimated 42,000 farmers will be eligible to apply for the scheme, which will be based on the number of cattle sent for slaughter in the period from 1 February to 12 June 2020, subject to a limit of 100 animals per herd. Based on estimates of eligible animals, a rate in the region of €100 per animal will be payable. The closing date is 9th September 2020 and full details of the measure including terms and conditions are available at www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemesandpayments/BFP Applications can be made online through the agfood.ie portal or contact your local Teagasc Advisor. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

All You Need to Know about BDGP Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

Chris Daly from ICBF joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss all you need to know about BDGP. Chris outlined that there are over 22,500 farmers in BDGP I and the key upcoming date of the 31st October 2020 is very important to ensure that you must have 50% of the reference number of animals, genotyped 4 or 5 star on the Replacement Index. They must be at least 16 months of age, so born before the 30th June 2019. For BDGP II herds, on the 31st of October 2020 you must have 20% of the reference number of animals, genotyped 4 or 5 star on the Replacement Index. Chris also reminded farmers to complete their Carbon Navigator if they have not done so already to avoid penalties and receive payment in December 2020. For any further queries in relation to BDGP contact your local Teagasc advisor or contact ICBF on 023 883 2883 or email query@icbf.com. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Are you interested in converting to dairy? Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

Teagasc Dairy specialist Patrick Gowing joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to discuss the Teagasc Dairy Start-Up course. Patrick highlighted the fact that converting to dairy involves a major commitment and sizeable capital outlay, therefore you need to be sure you are making the right decision. Patrick discussed the importance of selecting the right cow type, parlour, infrastructure and capital budget. The six day course starts this autumn and the locations of the course depend on demand. You can register interest online and for further details click here For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Importance of Lime on Your Beef Farm Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

Soil pH plays a key role in soil fertility and it is also critical for maximising the availability of nutrients (N, P & K) applied in organic and chemical fertilisers. On this episode of the Beef Edge Podcast, Shane Devaney Teagasc Business & Technology Drystock Advisor joins Catherine Egan to discuss the importance of lime on beef farms and a campaign he organised in 2018 in Co. Longford ‘Time 2 Lime’. Shane highlights the fact that lime is continually being lost from the soil and needs to be replaced as part of a nutrient management programme. During the ‘Time 2 Lime’ campaign the aim was getting farmers to apply two tonnes of lime per acre on part or all of their farm. As a result of the campaign, there was 5,340 tonnes of lime applied on the farms over the 3 years which was nearly three times as much lime applied in 2018 versus 2017 and 2016. Feedback was very positive with the general quote that ‘the land that got the lime greened up very quickly’. Shane advises that now and over the coming months is the ideal ‘Time 2 Lime’. For more on the campaign click here and for further advice on liming click here For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

A unique grazing system that works Jul 22, 2020

Show notes

If you don’t measure grass you can’t manage it. On this episode of the Beef Edge podcast, suckler farmer Thomas O’Connor from Co. Kildare joins Catherine Egan to give an insight of his farming system. The farm is run as a partnership by Monica, Tom and their son Thomas. It is a truly mixed farm with four enterprises comprising beef, sheep, tillage and pigs. In 2015, Thomas was the winner of the FBD Young Beef Farmer of the Year Award. The beef enterprise consists of 70 suckler cows with all-male progeny finished as bulls under 16 months and heifers at 21 months, with 200- 300 additional cattle purchased for finishing. The unique feature of this farm is the way the O`Connors paddock graze the cattle in large groups during the grazing season. This is the first year AI was used and Thomas gives an insight into how it went. Grassland management is excellent with all the farm laid out in 2 ha (5 acres) paddocks, with the provision for subdivision of all paddocks. Thomas will feature as part of the Irish Grassland Association Virtual Beef event from 27th- 29th July 2020 along with beef farmers Tom Halpin, Co. Meath & Paul Turley Co. Down on the Irish Grassland Association social media channels: Facebook.com/Irish Grassland Association and Twitter @IrishGrassland. For further details click HERE For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Tips & Advice for Staying Safe on Farm Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

Accidents on farms are a continuing cause of concern and on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Teagasc Health & Safety specialist John McNamara, joins Catherine Egan with some tips for farmers in advance of Farm Safety Week. Ireland and the UK have joined forces for Farm Safety Week 2020, taking place from July 20th to 24th and John highlighted the importance of safety around machinery and livestock. As farmers undertake maintenance work at a height, an assessment of the task needs to be considered to carry out the repair safely. John also urges farmers to update their Farm Risk Assessment Document. For further details on Farm Safety Week keep an eye on Teagasc social media and www.teagasc.ie. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

The Grand Challenges Facing the Beef Sector Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

Recently appointed Teagasc Beef Enterprise Leader at Teagasc Grange, Paul Crosson, joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge podcast to address the ‘Grand Challenges’ facing the beef sector. Paul gives an overview of the facilities and areas of research at Teagasc Grange and the two most recognised research projects in Grange are the Dairy Calf to Beef and Derrypatrick research experiments of which Paul gives a progress update. Obviously the Common Agricultural Policy accounts for over 100% of farm income on beef farms and although CAP discussions are ongoing there are some indications of greater restrictions on fertilizer, chemical spray and anti-microbial usage. Paul highlights to what extent this will shape beef production systems in the future. Tune in on Friday 10th July as part of the Teagasc Virtual Beef Week as Paul will feature as part of the Beef Talk at 12pm and there will be Live@Grange at 7pm ‘Addressing the Grand Challenges Facing the Irish Beef Sector’ which will be discussed by Prof. Gerry Boyle (Director of Teagasc), Tim Cullinan (President of IFA), Mairead McGuinness (MEP Vice President) & Barry Cowen, Minister for Agriculture, Food & The Marine, moderated by Thia Hennessy, (Professor of Agri-Food Economics at UCC) For further information click here www.teagasc.ie/virtualbeefweek For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected