For this special Christmas episode of The Beef Edge, we’re re-visiting our 300th episode of the podcast that was recorded earlier this year with Matt Dempsey, whose career spans multiple decades and various roles in agricultural journalism and beyond.

Matt has been instrumental in driving innovations in Irish agriculture through his work as a journalist, farmer and chairman of various industry groups and he gives his outlook for the Irish beef industry. 

Matt discusses intervention, suckler incentive scheme, beef tribunal, BSE and Foot and Mouth to name but a few.

Matte highlights the work done by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation as a significant breakthrough as well as the emphasis on easy calving, and also of marbling of beef.

He also comments on the emergence of grazing management, fertiliser, and especially grass varieties and reseeding that have been revolutionary.

Matt discusses a previous campaign that the Farmers' Journal and the IFA carried out in relation to Brazilian beef which succeeded in getting the actual import regime changed at Brussels level when the beef trade in Ireland and Europe looked as if it was going to be fundamentally undermined.

A huge thanks to everyone that has appeared on the Beef Edge podcast over the past 300 episodes and to all the listeners for making the podcast such a success - wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

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 

For a special joint podcast on bluetongue, with Stuart Childs from the Dairy Edge and Ciaran Lynch from Ovicast, this week’s Beef Edge is joined by vet John Donlon to find out more about bluetongue.

Primarily transmitted via biting midges, the cases on farms in Northern Ireland significantly reinforces the need for increased awareness in the Republic of Ireland. 

Early action, identification and isolation will be key in reducing the potential for further virus spread.

Temperature is a major factor in the transmission of bluetongue. The typical transmission period usually runs from late spring to early autumn, especially during the summer months. During the winter, the risk of disease spread is much lower.

Bluetongue is associated with many symptoms. Typically, in affected cattle and sheep, the main symptoms may include: fever and loss of appetite; drop in milk yield (dairy cows); reddening of mucous membranes; sores on the nose, gums or dental pads; swelling of the face, lips or tongue (‘blue tongue’); breathing difficulties, drooling or nasal/eye discharge; lameness due to inflammation at the top of the hoof; abortion or foetal deformities; and, in severe cases, infection can result in death.

For further info:
Teagasc urges vigilance on bluetongue - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, meaning anyone who suspects an animal may have the disease is legally obliged to notify DAFM without delay.

To report a suspected case of Bluetongue virus to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), you should immediately contact your local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) or the National Disease Emergency Hotline. 

Contact Details:

·      During office hours (9 am - 5 pm): Contact your local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO)

·      Outside office hours (operational 365 days a year): Ring the National Disease Emergency Hotline at 01 492 8026

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 

Dr. Paul Crosson, Beef Enterprise Leader, Teagasc Grange, is on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss the latest research being carried out in 2025 and the plans for 2026.

Pauls highlights the current research underway on the Derrypatrick and Maternal Herd and he outlines the findings from the dairy beef work being carried out as well as the latest research relating to additives.

You can also watch the recent Teagasc Beef Webinar with Paul at: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntJD2zfLVmM

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

 
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Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Superintending Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture, outlines the changes affecting beef and sheep farms this year on this week’s joint Beef Edge and OviCast podcast.

From 1st December, new rules on veterinary medicines came into effect as part of Ireland’s national strategy to tackle antimicrobial and anti-parasitic resistance. 

These changes mean that a range of commonly used products will now require a veterinary prescription, and all prescriptions will be issued and recorded through the National Veterinary Prescription System, or NVPS.

To help explain what this means day-to-day on your farm, Rebecca looks back at the background to AMR and APR, and she discusses why moving certain products to prescription-only status is necessary.

Rebecca explains that all prescriptions must go through NVPS, the national online system. While farmers can still choose where to buy, retailers just need the valid NVPS prescription. She says it is important to start planning earlier with your vet, especially during busy dosing seasons.

For more information: 

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/services/national-veterinary-prescription-system/

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

 
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Ronan Lynch, agronomist with Deeside Agri, and suckler and beef finisher, Brian Kirk from Co. Louth, are on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss the opportunity of using native grains in rations. 

Ronan explains that of the 7 million tonnes of grains used in the country, only 2 million are produced in Ireland. 

He highlights the benefits of oats and reducing the carbon footprint by incorporating homegrown grain ore in rations such as oats. 

We often hear that barley is the premium grain, and oats are just a second-best option for livestock. However, Teagasc trials showed that when feeding finishing beef cattle on a grass silage-based diet, rolled oats performed just as effectively as rolled barley. 

Brian then details his suckling and finishing system and discusses how performance on his farm has improved by using oats in the rations.

Further details at:

https://teagasc.ie/publications/oats-a-high-performing-native-grain/

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

 
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Image: FarmersJournal.ie 

Rupert Claxton, Meat & Livestock Director, GIRA, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast discussing the global outlook for the beef industry. 

Rupert highlights that the supply of beef is tight, while demand from the consumer is remarkably robust. The result of good global demand and tight supply are the high prices seen today.

Rupert explains how several UK retailers have included beef from a variety of non-European sources on their retail shelves during 2025, however, outlook for 2026 is a continuation of the current trend, both in Europe and globally. 

He says that Ireland is well placed to produce more beef in a way that is both environmentally and commercially sustainable and he emphasises there are opportunities for investment in the beef sector but rationalisation at industry and farm level is needed to deliver efficiencies.

For more visit:

https://teagasc.ie/publications/national-beef-conference-2025/

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

 
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With the Teagasc National Beef Conference taking place on Tuesday, the 18th of November at the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, County Galway, Future Beef farmer, John Barry from Nenagh, County Tipperary, is on this week’s Beef edge podcast to explain his suckling-to-weanling system and how he balances shape and quality to meet both home and export market demands.

John Barry runs a 90-cow suckler herd full-time and since taking over the farm in his own name a decade ago, John has steadily developed the enterprise with significant investments, including new sheds, upgraded laneways and fencing, and the installation of a new cattle crush to make vaccinating and dosing more efficient.

The herd is split between spring and autumn calving, with around 60 cows calving from February to April and the remainder from August to October. The preferred cow type on the farm is a Limousin–Simmental cross, although Charolais and Belgian Blue crosses also feature in the herd. Most cows are R+ to U– grade animals with good milk.

Artificial insemination (AI) is used on more than 75% of the herd. John selects sires from Belgian Blue, Charolais, and Limousin breeds, while a Limousin stock bull is used for mop-up. Red Angus sires are also used on Belgian Blue-type heifers. John produces top-quality U and E grade weanlings for both the local and export markets.

In recent years, John has placed a strong emphasis on grassland management, focusing on growing and utilising grass more efficiently to reduce costs. He has also incorporated red clover and undertaken arable reseeding to improve farm sustainability and productivity.

John is speaking at this year’s National Beef Conference discussing his role in meeting future market demands.

Whether you're looking to improve your breeding, plan ahead for tax, or start the conversation about passing on the farm – this event will have something for you. It is a free event and all are welcome. 

Further details available at:

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

 
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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

 
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For the final part of the special series, ‘Getting Winter Ready’,  Natascha Meunier from Animal Health Ireland is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss ‘Health at Housing’.  

As always, there  are liver and rumen fluke, lice and mites, and going in to housing, gutworms or lungworm (hoose) might still be problematic. 

Natascha says to be particularly careful about lungworm as it has been ideal conditions over the last few weeks. 

She outlines the products for treating worms and fluke and says the product is very important, particularly when it comes to performance over the winter. 

Immature flukes keep growing and affect the animal’s performance, so Natascha advises that you might need to go in again a number of weeks later with the same type of product, or you could use a product that targets the younger life stage of the parasites. 

Natascha then discusses the products to be used for biting and sucking lice and she also outlines the importance of a health plan for purchasing cattle on the farm.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast and to listen back to the other two episodes in the ‘Getting Winter Ready’ series, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
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Grass10 Manager, John Maher, joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead.

John discusses current grazing conditions and explains the different scenarios across the country.

John discusses an action plan for closing up paddocks and he highlights the importance of being flexible and to ensure swards that are closed are not re-grazed again before winter.

You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/

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