Teagasc DairyBeef 500 advisor, Tommy Cox, discusses calf housing to maximise performance on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.

Tommy says that good ventilation, adequate space, good drainage and warm sheds that are clean and comfortable are essential.  Good ventilation to ensure air is fresh and no draughts are important. Natural ventilation is used in the vast majority of calf houses.  Tommy recommends to provide 2.0-2.3 m2 pen area per calf. 

Good drainage is something that is often overlooked.  Tommy says that calves spend about 80% of their time lying down so they need a dry bed. A dry environment will also reduce the spread and growth of bugs. All calf houses should be built with a damp-proof course to prevent rising dampness. A slope of 1:20 in the calf pen area is recommended

Calves perform best at 15-20 degree Celsius, but they don’t generate sufficient heat to insulate themselves from colder temperatures until after they are weaned. Deep beds of straw are effective in protecting calves from the cold. Hygiene is obviously very important. Floors and walls should be easily cleaned.

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 

Continuing the two-part series on fertiliser application, Teagasc specialist Mark Plunkett from the Teagasc Signpost programme, joins Catherine Egan on the Beef Edge podcast to discuss fertiliser application and the fertiliser register.

Mark reviewed 2024 regarding fertiliser usage and particularly chemical N.  There was a 10% increase, he said, compared to 2023. Chemical N use was at an all-time low in 2023 and in addition, 2024 proved to be a challenging grass growing year and was perhaps the reason for increased N use.  

In 2024 the straight N market increased by 2% in 2024 to 58%.  Compound N market increased by 6% compared to 2023 and in 2024, 17% of the total N was Protected Urea (+4% on 2023). 

There were 28,736 tonnes of phosphorus (P) applied in 2024.  Phosphorus reduced by 6.6% in 2024. There were 88,058 tonnes of potassium (K) applied in 2024 which was an increase of 7.45%. 

The continued decline in the use of P is a real concern for soil fertility and N use efficiency on farm. 

While the increase in K application is positive, Mark highlighted the importance of lime, especially as 65% of soils are deficient in lime; if lime was corrected on grazing ground there are multiple benefits. 

Mark has also said that weather conditions played a huge part in poor grass growth last year and farmers should use protected urea in the year ahead. Fertiliser should be applied when ground is dry enough to travel on with tractor and spreader without causing damage.  

Soil temperatures are above 5ºC and rising and with 4-5 days of dry weather forecast, you want fertiliser and slurry to stay where you spread it.

Finally, Mark explained the benefits of using compound fertiliser based on a nutrient management plan and highlighted the importance of sulphur.

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

 
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Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, has her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead.

Niamh discusses over-winter growth and the importance of assessing opening covers and the need to ensure conditions are suitable before spreading.

Niamh also encourages anyone who has soil samples to collect to do so in the coming weeks to address soil fertility this year.

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

As thoughts on farms move to fertiliser application, Teagasc specialist Tim Hyde joins Catherine Egan on the Beef Edge podcast for the first of a two-part podcast on the rules and regulations surrounding nitrates.  

Tim reminds listeners of the open period for chemical fertiliser, farm yard manure and slurry across the different zones, plus he outlines the regulations around roadways, storing bales and buffer zones. Tim then discusses the differences between grassland and whole farm stocking rates and the rules that apply.

He describes the low emission slurry spreading for farmers stocked over 130kg organic N/ha and >100kg organic N/ha from 01/01/2025.

In relation to ⁠P build-up, Tim describes what extra allowances there are for farms stocked over 130kg organic N/ha.

For ⁠non-derogation farmers that are stocked over 170kg but exported slurry to remain compliant, Tim explains the additional rules that are applicable to these farms.

Finally Tim comments on the importance of fertiliser planning to know your allowances for the fertiliser register and to allow for more accurate nutrient management planning.

Next week, Mark Plunkett from the Teagasc Signpost programme will go through all the requirements in relation to fertiliser application and the fertiliser register.

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

 
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Chris Daly from ICBF joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the new Mart Tracker and the Commercial Beef Value (CBV). 

Chris outlines the benefit of the Mart Tracker and the impact that it will have for farmers.

He also discusses the CBV and how important it is for farmers buying as well as selling calves and cattle overall. 

Chris describes the values farmers should be looking for in cattle that are suckler, dairy x beef and dairy x dairy. 

Mart Tracker available here 

https://webapp.icbf.com/v2/app/mart-tracker

How to use the Mart Tracker 

https://www.icbf.com/how-to-use-the-new-icbf-mart-tracker/

If you have any issues accessing the Mart Tracker or CBV values for your herd please contact ICBF.

Email support is [email protected] or phone 023-8820452 during office hours (9am – 5.30pm).

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 the final part of our special series in advance of spring calving on the Beef Edge Podcast, Teagasc vet, John Donlon focuses on caring for the newborn calf.

John discusses the importance of colostrum and the 1,2,3 of colostrum in which you use the first milk (colostrum) from the cow; feed the calf colostrum within the first two hours of birth; and calves must be offered at least 3L of good quality colostrum.

John outlines the importance of dipping or spraying the calves navel to prevent infection.

Obviously we expect the calf to get up and suck the cow straight away, but John describes the correct way to use a stomach tube if needed.

Regardless of a suckler or dairy beef system, there are a number of ailments that can arise, in relation to calf scour and respiratory issues and John highlights the importance of administering electrolytes.

Crypto and coccidiosis are unfortunately an issue on some suckler farms, with John detailing the preventative actions and best treatment measures.

Respiratory infections and disease are a main cause of calf deaths and John explains the best ways to prevent and treat this.

Clostridial diseases can cause a number of conditions in cattle. One of the most common conditions is blackleg. Unfortunately it is often too late when detected and there was a rise in reported deaths in 2024.  John advises that it is a two shot vaccine and it’s critical the instructions are followed correctly to ensure it is effective.

If you missed either of the first two parts in the series, listen back to Teagasc Nutritionist Aisling Claffey on nutrition pre and post calving, and John Donlon on calving the cow.

The FutureBeef Webinar Series 

The final part of the FutureBeef webinar Series is on Thursday, 23rd  January at 8pm which will focus on Calving and Post-Calving Management.

Click here to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UXK1_LHDSE-W_WDlb9HyGg#/registration

The webinar will be chaired by James Mullane, Future Beef Programme Advisor and will feature Dr John Donlon, Beef Herd Health Research Officer, Teagasc; Dr Doreen Corridan, CEO of the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC); and Michael Biggins, Future Beef Farmer. 

This webinar will centre on the calf, covering topics such as the first principles of calving, managing the calf’s first month, and getting the cow back in calf.

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 

In advance of spring calving season, Teagasc Nutritionist  Aisling Claffey, and Teagasc Researcher and Vet, John Donlon, join Catherine for a special three part series, and this week, for the second part, John Donlon focuses on calving the cow.

John discusses the essentials that farmers can do to prepare and what items are essential to have ready and he outlines the key steps when it comes to intervening when a cow is calving as well as different presentations. 

He also explains what to be aware of when using the calving jack and he discusses issues that can arise such as milk fever, retained placentas and mastitis.  

If you missed last week, listen back to Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey on nutrition pre and post calving and what you should be feeding.

Next week, for part three in the series, John Donlon will discuss caring for the newborn calf.

Upcoming Future Beef Webinar on Pre-Calving, Tuesday, 21st January @8pm

The webinar will be chaired by Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor, and will feature Professor David Kenny, Head of the Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc; Emma Sargent, Ruminant Veterinary Area Manager, MSD Animal Health; and Ed Curtin, Future Beef Farmer. 

The webinar will focus on the cow pre-calving covering topics such as body condition score (BCS), minerals, and pre-calving vaccinations. 

Click here to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UXK1_LHDSE-W_WDlb9HyGg#/registration

Calving and Post-Calving Management Webinar, Thursday, 23rd January @8pm

The webinar will be chaired by James Mullane, Future Beef Programme Advisor, and will feature Dr John Donlon, Beef Herd Health Research Officer, Teagasc; Dr Doreen Corridan, CEO of the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC); and Michael Biggins, Future Beef Farmer. 

This webinar will centre on the calf, covering topics such as the first principles of calving, managing the calf’s first month, and getting the cow back in calf.

Click here to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UXK1_LHDSE-W_WDlb9HyGg#/registration

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 

In advance of spring calving season, Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey, and Teagasc Researcher and Vet, John Donlon, join Catherine Egan for a 3 part series on the Beef Edge podcast. 

On the first part, Aisling Claffey focuses on nutrition pre and post calving.

Aisling explains how, at calving at this time of year, we see a lot of animal health problems. Obviously cow condition, particularly body conditions score is important relating to these issues.

Overall cows were in good condition at housing this winter, but during the dry period, cows should be fed 65-68 DMD silage to manage body condition.  Cows should be penned accordingly to ensure that thin cows are not bullied at the feed barrier and receive adequate feed.

Many herds will have started feeding a pre calving mineral already and Aisling discusses the key ingredients in a pre-calving mineral to support foetal development.

There are a variety of options for supplementing minerals be it bolus, dusting or buckets.

Next week John Donlon will discuss calving the suckler cow.

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

Market intelligence specialist, Phelim O’Neill with the Irish Farmers Journal, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to reflect on 2024 and discuss the market outlook for 2025.

Looking back on 2024, Phelim discusses the increase in price seen in all cattle categories. Even with this increase in price, there is still a difference between UK and Ireland prices.

Phelim also comments on Irish exports for the past year and looks to the year ahead. With overall beef production down in Ireland and within the EU, Phelim says this is reflected in a decrease in suckler cow numbers and highlights the possible opportunities and challenges this will have.

Finally, Phelim concludes, beef prices are expected to be maintained based on the supply of beef and demand coming into 2025.

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

Michael Fagan, technician on the Newford demonstration farm in Co. Roscommon, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the farm and a review of the year since moving from Athenry Co.Galway. 

Michael outlines how the move has been busy with repurposing sheds, reseeding, installing paddocks and water systems, all the while getting used to the overall change in location and soil type of the farm.

Due to weather conditions, weanling and finishing performance is back and Michael discusses finishing cattle performance and management of the cows prior to calving.

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