The Beef Edge

Latest Episodes:

Key aspects of a synchronisation regime for a suckler beef herd Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

As we approach the start of the beef breeding season Dr.David Kenny, researcher in Teagasc Grange joins Catherine Egan to discuss key aspects of a synchronisation regime for a suckler beef herd.

Currently 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.

David highlights the advantages and disadvantages to AI in the beef herd and he also outlines key checks on your stock bull.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge
The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

Advice for fertiliser application for silage and grazing ground Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

As we start aiming for ground being closed for first cut silage, David Wall, Soil Science researcher based at Teagasc Johnstown Castle, joins Catherine Egan to discuss fertiliser application for silage and grazing ground.

This year, due to extremely wet weather from mid-January to mid-March, a large amount of ground that would have typically been grazed before closing may not be grazed due to late turnout.

David discusses options and recommends fertiliser programmes to ensure the crop is ready to cut on time. David also highlights the importance of sulphur to the crop and gives fertiliser recommendations for grazing ground.

For further information go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2020/planning-1st-cut-silage-on-beef-farms.php

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge
The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

The essential services that marts are able to offer during Covid-19 Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

As we approach peak calf sale season, Ray Doyle from the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society (ICOS), joins Catherine Egan on the latest episode of the Beef Edge to discuss the limited range of essential services that marts are able to offer during Covid-19.

Over 1 million cattle are sold through Irish Livestock Marts on an annual basis and Ray outlines that there a number of farmers purchasing cattle now at the start of the grazing season and to make contact with their local Livestock Mart.

Similarly, any farmer that wants to buy cattle should first make contact with their local mart to express an interest. Different Livestock Marts are offering different services during these challenging times and current restrictions.

A new Teagasc telephone helpline to assist farmers with queries in relation to the current COVID-19 challenge has also been set up. The information line phone number is +353 76 1113533 and will be open from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

The Key Information for Applying for the BEEP Suckler Scheme Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

With the launch of the new €35 million Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme Sucklers scheme (BEEP-S) on March 12th, Teagasc Beef Specialist, Aidan Murray, joined Catherine Egan to discuss the details and objectives of the programme. Please note, the deadline to apply is 15th May 2020.

About BEEP-S

The Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme Sucklers scheme (BEEP-S) was launched on March 12th 2020. The scheme will target the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves - measuring the live weight of the calf at weaning as a percentage of the cow's live weight. Aidan Murray , Teagasc Beef Specialist joins Catherine Egan to discuss the new €35 million BEEP suckler scheme.

If programme participants complete all of the mandatory and optional actions available, they will be eligible for a payment of up to €90 for the first ten suckler cow/calf pairs per herd, and up to €80 per pair thereafter, subject to an overall maximum of 100 pairs per herd

Programme actions are as follows:

Mandatory weighing action: €50 per first ten cow/calf weighing per herd (and €40 per cow/calf weighing thereafter). This action measures the ratio of calf weight at weaning to maternal weight, enabling farmers to “readily identify” their most economic and environmentally efficient suckler cows in their herd;

Optional action: €30 for an additional welfare action, with a choice of either a vaccination programme or a pre-weaning meal feeding programme.

Optional action: €10 for a further option – participation in a faecal egg testing programme.

The deadline to apply is the 15th May 2020.

The terms and conditions are available here
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/beep/

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge
The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

The Impact of Covid-19 on Teagasc Advisory Services Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

As the country reels from the impact of Covid-19 coronavirus, Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc joins Catherine Egan to discuss the impact to Teagasc Advisory Services.

All Teagasc Basic Payment appointments will now be processed over the phone rather than an office consultation. Teagasc staff will contact farmer clients in the coming weeks. BPS application for clients, in so far as possible, will be done over the phone.

Pearse highlights that the transfer of information and knowledge to farmers and students will be through regular digital communication methods. While on farm Teagasc farmer discussion group meetings are being replaced with one hour phone meetings between farmers and their advisor.

All Teagasc events have been postponed until further notice. This includes farm walks, conferences, and seminars. Pearse advises that every farmer should have a plan in case that they become ill, as to who will fill their boots. As children are off from school at the moment Pearse highlights some simple suggestions that could help farmers in relation to health and safety on the farm

For the latest Covid-19 information go to HSE.ie

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

Top tips for calving beef heifers at 24 months Mar 11, 2020

Show notes

Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist joins Catherine Egan on the latest episode of The Beef Edge to discuss the key targets heifers need to be achieving to calve at 24 months.

Only 22% of beef heifers calve at 22-26 months. However, this figure has hovered between 27-17% over the past decade.

For more information go to:
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/calving-beef-heifers-at-24-months-of-age.pdf

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge
The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

Spring grassland management update with Trevor Boland Feb 26, 2020

Show notes

Trevor Boland, a part time suckler farmer from Dromard in Co Sligo, joins Catherine Egan on this episode of the Beef Edge to give an update on spring grassland management. Trevor was awarded the Grass 10 Grassland Farmer of the year Beef category award winner in 2019.

Spring 2020 has been a difficult spring to get stock out grazing with heavy rainfall and poor grazing conditions. Trevor discusses his success of managing grass through improved soil fertility, an excellent paddock system and measuring grass on a weekly basis.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

Pic: Irish Farmers Journal

The key targets of the calf rearing phase plus an update on the Green Acres programme Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Alan Dillon, Beef Specialist & Green Acres Programme Manager, joins Catherine Egan, to give an update on the Green Acres programme and to discuss the key targets of the calf rearing phase.

The second phase of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme was launched in April 2019. This programme is demonstrating profitable dairy calf to beef systems on a whole farm basis through a network of demonstration farms. The primary aim of the programme is to achieve a net margin of €500/ha (excluding premia).

The main areas discussed include:

· Calf Rearing

· Animal Health

· Grassland Management

· Soil Fertility

· Financial Management

· Farm Planning

For further information log on to the Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme visit:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/green-acres-calf-to-beef/

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge
The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

Pic: Agriland Media

How the BDGP and BEEP improve the profitability and carbon efficiency of our livestock sector Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

The Beef Data and Genomics Program (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental and Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) were introduced with the objective of using genetics/genomics to address the decline in key maternal traits within the national suckler herd. Andrew Cromie, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation Technical Director joins Catherine Egan to discuss how BDGP and BEEP improve the profitability and carbon efficiency of our livestock sector.

Andrew discusses results and analysis of the first females that calved into BDGP herds showed that on average, 5 star females calved 59 days earlier than 1 star females and had a 13.6 days shorter average calving interval.

In terms of progeny carcass performance, age at slaughter and profitability results demonstrate the effectiveness of the initial €uro-Star genomic predictions as a means to accurately identify more profitable and sustainable suckler herd replacements.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

Key animal welfare considerations for beef farmers Jan 15, 2020

Show notes

Animal welfare is a key consideration for every Irish beef farmer and on this episode, Dr. Bernadette Early, researcher in Teagasc Grange, joins Catherine Egan to highlight the welfare advantages experienced by animals in our systems and results from recent research studies relating to animal housing, castration, and transport.

Bernadette also outlines the key legal and welfare requirements relating to calf disbudding and to castration. Welfare and performance of finishing beef heifers in relation to space allowance showed that increasing space allowance above 3.0m2 had no effect on animal intake or performance.

Bernadette has been involved in research relating to transporting cattle nationally and internationally with data from these studies used to inform policy makers and national and EU level.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

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