Pearse Kelly, Teagasc’s Head of Drystock, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into what’s in store at the Teagasc National Beef Conference which is taking place on 18th November in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, Co.Galway, starting at 5pm.

This year’s theme is ‘Beef Farming 2025: Value, Profit and Renewal’, with a strong focus on producing high-value weanlings, managing farm profitability, and supporting generational renewal. 

There are two action-packed sessions featuring expert speakers, farmer insights, and panel discussions:

Session I: High-Value Weanlings – From Breeding to the Market

Time: 5.00pm
 Chair: Keith Fahy, Teagasc Drystock Advisor & Host of Country Life on Galway Bay FM

Speakers and topics include:

·      Prof. David Kenny, Head of Animal & Bioscience, Teagasc Grange – Managing the suckler cow before and after calving for better fertility and performance

·      Dr. Katie Quigley, Geneticist, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation – Understanding the myostatin gene and finding the right balance between muscling and calving ease

·      John Barry, Future Beef programme participant, will share his approach to breeding weanlings in demand at home and for export

·      Thomas O’Connor, Beef finishing farmer from Co. Kildare, will discuss what he is looking for when buying cattle to finish on his farm

·      Brendan Egan, Manager, Castlerea Mart – What the market wants and how to meet that demand

Following this, there will be refreshments and an opportunity to meet Teagasc advisers and industry stakeholders

Session II: Beef 2025 and Beyond – Prices, Profits & Passing on the Farm

Time: 7.15pm
 Chair: Damien O'Reilly, former presenter of RTÉ Radio 1’s Countrywide

·      Rupert Claxton, Meat Director at GIRA – Global beef market trends, what’s driving prices, and where the market is going

·      Trevor Boland, Beef Farmer & IFAC Accountant – Farm profits in 2025 and beyond: practical advice on tax planning and staying profitable

Following this is a panel discussion on Generational Renewal – tackling the challenges and solutions of succession on Irish beef farms. 

Panellists include:

·      Dr. Emma Dillon, Teagasc National Farm Survey Economist

·      Ruth Fennell, Collaborative Farming Specialist, Teagasc

·      Trevor Boland, Beef farmer & IFAC Accountant

·      Eamonn & Donnchadh McCarthy, suckler farmers from Youghal

The evening wraps up by 8.45pm. 

Experts from the following Teagasc programmes will be available on the night to answer your questions:

·      Future Beef & DairyBeef500

·      Teagasc Organic Team

·      Signpost Programme

·      Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme

As International Men’s Day falls on 19th November, the conference will also highlight farmer health and wellbeing. There are information stands and free health checks with Croí, plus foot care advice and mental health supports, while local health initiatives like Healthy Galway and Taking Stock will also be present, offering resources and support.

For further details: 

https://teagasc.ie/event/national-beef-conference/

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com