The Beef Edge

Teagasc Green Acres dairy calf to beef participant, Martin Connolly, from Co. Roscommon gives a Beef Edge Masterclass on this week’s podcast episode.

He gives an insight into his 21-22 month Friesian bull beef system and discusses the key points from managing the calf up to weaning, emphasising the importance of calf health in the early weeks of life.

He discusses how he manages the stock at grass with the target to graze each paddock in three days. Making top quality silage is a key focus on the farm allowing Martin to reduce costs over the winter while still maximising weight gain and he outlines how bulls will be housed in the coming weeks and finished within 100-120 days.

Further information from Martin’s Virtual farm walk held last year are here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/green-acres-calf-to-beef/events/martin-connollys-virtual-farm-walk/

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

With an increase in grass growth in the past few weeks the challenge now on farms is to maintain quality in the sward.

On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Teagasc Grass 10 Manager John Maher gives top tips in relation to managing grass quality.

John highlights the two main ways to manage grass at the moment. Firstly, it involves targeting ideal covers to graze of 8-10 cm and that may lead to paddocks being skipped or let grow on to bulk up as silage.

Secondly, the mechanical method of topping or pre-mowing and although this will lead to some grass wastage it will ensure quality in the next grazing.

John advises that fertiliser applied on farm at the moment will largely depend on stocking rate. Phosphorus and potassium are essential to be applied to improve any damaged paddocks from earlier in the spring. Nitrogen application can be decided upon based on the amount of grass on the farm and demand.

For further information visit:

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

You can also view the latest Grass 10 Newsletter here:

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

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

This week’s Beef Edge podcast finds out about the Certified Irish Angus Schools competition that challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves over 18 months while completing a research project and which is organised in partnership with ABP Ireland and Kepak Group.

Catherine Egan is joined by Darragh Barlow, a student at the Abbey School Tipperary town which is one of the five finalist schools, his Ag Science teacher Michael O’Dwyer, and William Delaney from the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group.

Darragh describes their journey to date and how the calves have been managed and how they have performed. Darragh highlights how the Angus breed suits a sustainable farming system and he says that there are numerous advantages to being a finalist in the competition, encouraging other students to participate.

Agricultural Science teacher Michael O’Dwyer outlines the benefits of the competition as a teacher and says that the extent of the competition has gone far beyond just the actual students in the competition and has been a great experience for the entire school.

William Delaney, organiser of the competition encourages other schools to get involved and highlights the steps are required to get into the competition.

The next competition will be launched in September with further details are available here:

https://www.certifiedirishangus.ie/certified-irish-angus-schools-competition/

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Contract rearer Kieran Kielty from Co.Sligo joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss how he operates a contract heifer rearing system.

Kieran explains how he has developed the system over the past number of years and he outlines the importance of grassland management and quality silage in this system.

As Kieran works off farm he highlights the benefits of contract rearing while maintaining a work life balance.

Being a part of the local contract rearing discussion group is also a benefit to Kieran as he gets to visit other farms and discuss management decisions with other like-minded farmers in the same system.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

With many drystock farmers looking for possible alternative income opportunities for their farms, contract heifer rearing has increasingly become an option and Teagasc advisor Tom Coll and specialist Gordon Peppard join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss what’s involved.

Gordon says it is a very attractive option with a lot of benefits such as providing a steady monthly cash flow, reduced investment and reduced risks associated with beef prices with potentially more profits if managed correctly.

Gordon also discusses the contract heifer rearing agreement and outlines the costs involved for the rearer - the highest cost periods to the contract rearer will be during calf rearing and winter housing.

Tom Coll has been working with around twenty farmers that have started contract rearing on their farms over the past eight years and as a result, established a discussion group with these farmers.

Tom outlines why farmers consider this as an alternative system for their farms and he emphasises that improving silage quality and maximising grass in the diet is important.

There have been a lot of lessons learned from the farmers which Tom discusses in detail from management, health, breeding, grass and meeting targets. For contract heifer rearing to be a success it must be a win–win situation for all parties. A level of trust, honesty and flexibility must exist between parties.

Events may change and things will go wrong, so good communication and a give and take attitude are required. It is important to have a written agreement so that the responsibilities of each party are clear. Payment on time is important and fulfilling requirements set out at the start are essential.

Further information is available at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/collaborative-farming/contract-heifer-rearing/

https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/rural-development/diversification/contract-heifer-rearing-/

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Derrypatrick herd Manager, Michael McManus, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the breeding season.

There is 100% AI used in the herd and Michael describes how sires are selected and what sires are being used this year.

It has been a very difficult year on the farm managing grass like other farms around the country and he highlights how some of the silage ground had to be grazed and will be cut at the end of June.

Michael then gives an overview of how last year’s cattle performed and the plan for the rest of the year.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist joins Catherine Egan on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the various beef schemes.

Firstly, Aidan outlined the actions that farmers had to continue to do in order to comply with the BDGP 1 extension and Aidan advised on various scenarios such as a stock bull being injured or replaced.

Next Aidan discussed the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) as applicants committed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the period 01 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 as compared with the period 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

Aidan said that farmers can choose to defer the commitment to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the period 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 as compared with the period 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. Penalties for non-compliance were also outlined.

Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Sucklers (BEEP-S) was launched earlier in 2021. Aidan highlighted the various actions that farmers need to complete based on what was selected at application. The dairy calf to beef programme, is a new scheme launched in 2021 and Aidan discussed in detail the requirements that farmers must complete to comply.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Teagasc drystock advisor Terry Carroll and beef farmer John Phelan join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the importance of harvesting silage and the ensiling process in making top quality silage.

Given the last few weeks with poor grass growth on farm, Terry advises farmers to make the best quality silage possible now and meet your requirements for good quality silage first depending on the stock you intend to keep over the winter.

He says that by delaying harvest date, it will reduce the dry matter digestibility of the crop and overall quality. This will lead to increased cost next winter due to increased concentrates. Terry said that farmers can get a sample of grass tested in their local Teagasc office by contacting their advisor to determine sugar content or if there are concerns over nitrates.

Kilkenny store-to-finish farmer John Phelan explains that due to weather in the past month he will be delaying harvest by ten days and intends to cut silage on 25th May - weather depending.

John also discusses the silage process on his farm and he highlights the importance of quality silage on his farm particularly for reducing costs on farm and achieving maximum weight gains next winter. He then discusses the importance of health and safety during this period on farm also.

For further information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Teagasc-Quality-Grass-Silage-Guide.pdf

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Teagasc specialist Catherine Keena joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the new Results Based Environment Agri Pilot Programme also known as REAP.

REAP is an agri-environment pilot project that pays farmers to maintain and improve the environmental conditions of their land. Farmers will bring in between 2ha and 10ha of land which will be scored in year one to establish its environmental condition. Farmers will work with their advisers to undertake environmental improvement works on the land that can increase the environmental score in year two.

REAP will focus on improving existing farm features rather than the creation of new features and habitats. Farms with higher environmental scores will receive larger payments.

The pilot will test the ‘Results-Based’ approach and prepare farmers, Advisors and DAFM for the Agri Environment Scheme in the new Rural Development Programme in 2023. There is no guarantee of entry. The deadline to apply is the 10th May and contact your advisor or local Teagasc office to apply.

Further info can be found here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/schemes--regulations/reap/

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

With calves being weaned on dairy calf to beef farms across the country, Teagasc Green Acres programme advisors Sean Cummins & James Fitzgerald join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with top tips on weaning, advice for the year ahead and an update on the farms.

Firstly, Sean has an update on the calves’ performance in the Green acres programme this spring. He highlights the key targets up to weaning and the weaning process. Sean also discusses the herd health plan of the calves to date and key targets for grazing season ahead.

James discusses the performance of the weanlings over the winter and over the spring so far. He also reviews the slaughter performance of the stock in 2020.

Sean and James conclude with three main tips that the farmers will be focused on for the coming weeks and months. For further updates click here:

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

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com