The Beef Edge

Where stock are to be grazed over the winter months, many farmers will be beginning to transition stock on to fodder crops over the coming days and managing this transition needs to be carefully considered. On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Catherine Egan is joined by suckler farmer Michael Flynn from county Waterford to discuss his beef farm system and to find out how he is managing winter fodder crops on his farm at this time of year.

There is often a fear among farmers as to when to start grazing in case of N poisoning or that they will run out of the fodder crop too early in the spring. Micheal explains that he plans to graze it for 2 months from now to the end of January 2021. Through his experience of grazing cows, weanlings and replacement heifers, Micheal gives key management tips such as double wires and a good electric fence.

The total forage crop proportion of the diet should not exceed two-thirds of the diet on a dry matter basis. A source of long fibre is required to make up the remainder of the diet of which Micheal provides through bales of silage strategically located in the crop.

There is also a risk of toxicity in the spring when the crop flowers, so ideally farmers should aim to have the crop grazed by the end of January. Micheal explains how one year he increased the stocking rate to try to graze the crop faster before flowering.

If there is freezing weather conditions in the coming months Micheal has a plan B in which we will feed silage instead of the fodder crop

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The 2020 Animal Health Awareness Week organised by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is taking place this week from 23rd-28th November. On this week’s Beef Edge Podcast, Mícheál Casey, Head of DAFM Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVL) gives an insight into the many services they provide to farmers.

The RVL network provides animal post-mortem examinations, surveillance of disease and laboratory diagnostic services and expertise to the farming community via veterinary practitioners.

Mícheál highlights that like farmers, the laboratories are busy in the spring with issues arising around the time of calving resulting in post-mortems being done. The RVLs also encounters cases from issues incurred from respiratory diseases in calves resulting from poor ventilation or death as a result of calf scour outbreaks.

In the past few weeks a common finding has been death from lung worm where owners suspect treatments have been ineffective, but in fact the laboratories believe it is the effect of heavy infestations after treatment.

Surveillance of disease is also a major part of the role of RVL as they are on the front line to detect exotic diseases. Mícheál recalls the outbreak of Foot and Mouth in 2001 which farmers will never forget, and which reminds us of the need for ongoing vigilance and early detection.

Tomorrow, Thursday 26th you can tune into the webinar titled ‘Problems and Opportunities - Cattle Health from different perspectives’. You can register here:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/82fdd-animal-health-awareness-week-webinar-registration/

Further details on the Animal Health Awareness Week are here:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2e0be-animal-health-awareness-week-programme-of-events/

Find your nearest Regional Veterinary Lab here:

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/laboratoryservices/regionalveterinarylaboratories/

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

From 2010 - 2019, 214 farmers lost their lives through a farming accident. They are not just a statistic, they are a valued family member. Each time we hear of a farm accident every farmer stops for a minute as we are all connected through the farming community.

On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge, founding member of Embrace FARM (Farm Accident Support Network) Norma Rohan outlines the services it offers.

Embrace FARM creates friendships with those who are in the same situation and talking to them helps because there is a since of understanding what each one is going through.

Norma outlines how an accident not only affects the person who has been injured but also their immediate family, home and community. Embrace FARM offer a special support group for farm accident survivors and remembers those who have lost their lives, have been injured, supports survivors of farm accidents, their family members, friends and the wider community

Embrace FARM also published a very detailed booklet in conjunction with the Farmers Journal in June, 2020, Building a Community of Support which can be read here:

https://embracefarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/embrace_supplement_complete_LR.pdf

Each year Embrace FARM holds a Remembrance Service in memory of those who lost their lives in farm accidents. Due to Covid-19 unfortunately this had to take place virtually. To view it click here:

https://youtu.be/kPL5MZNwK2k

Further information got to EmbraceFarm.com

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Gurteen College Beef Lecturer, Peter Grogan, and Drystock Farm Manager, Gerard Carey, give an overview of Gurteen College, the farm systems operated and what it has to offer students on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge Podcast.

Gerard gives an overview of the Autumn & Spring calving suckler herd, their beef finishing systems, and the dairy calf to beef enterprise along with the contract rearing of the heifers from the dairy herd.

Peter gives an outline of the courses offered at Gurteen College and highlights the importance of putting classroom theory into practice on the farm which gives students the opportunity to gain practical hands-on learning and experience in many areas including working with animals, farm maintenance skills and machinery operation as well as developing essential critical thinking skills setting up students for success in their future farming careers.

For further information on the college visit:

https://gurteencollege.ie/

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

With consistent rainfall over the past ten days, a lot of cattle have been housed around the country. On this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Teagasc Nutritionist Joe Patton outlines a number of factors farmers should consider now at housing.

As feed accounts for over 75% of variable costs on most beef farms, Joe highlights the results from the Teagasc fodder survey and tips to reduce costs this winter.

Testing silage is very important to give an indication what ration is required. Joe advised the target of 20kg live weight gain per weanling per month (0.6kg/hd/day).

Joe also outlines that the nutrient content of the compound feed is more critical than the individual ingredients that make up the compound feed.

Watch more from Joe here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2020/want-50kg-more-winter-weight-gain-for-no-extra-cost-cut-silage-in-may-instead-of-june.php

For further information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/beef/choosing-a-concentrate-type-for-finishing.php

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

In this second of a regular monthly 'Beef Edge Masterclass’ series from expert farmers on the Beef Edge podcast, Catherine Egan is joined by JP Hammersley a farmer in Lattin, Co. Tipperary.

JP explains his system whereby British Friesian bull calves are brought to beef as steers at 24 & 28 months. Calves are purchased from one local dairy farmer at 4 weeks of age and arrive in batches of 12. This has worked well for JP over the years, as he knows he’s buying a healthy calf from a known source. A paddock system, consisting of 45 paddocks, has also been installed for the three grazing groups.

A considerable amount of re-seeding has also been completed. Cattle are weighed three times during the year – turnout, mid-season, and housing. The aim is to get animals heavy enough to produce a 320kg carcass at 24 months and a 350kg carcass at 28 months.

See JP on farm as featured as part of the Teagasc Virtual Beef Week:

https://youtu.be/O8tILuIhKdg

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

In light of the Covid–19 restrictions Dr. Noel Richardson, Director National Centre for Men’s Health , IT Carlow, has some tips on mental and physical well-being on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge Podcast.

Farmers are very resilient on a daily basis but at times there can be pressure and stress. Farmers were very busy during the first lockdown with calving and lambing etc. but it’s different coming into the winter time. There is lots we can still do to help each other out even though we are apart.

Services Available:

- Consult your G.P. regularly.

- Teagasc and Farm Consultants are available to farmers nationally to advise on farm management issues. Farming organisations also offer services to their members.

- A range of both Local and National Support Groups are available.

- The Samaritans can be contacted at 1850 60 90 90. Their website http://www.samaritans.org gives a list of support agencies.

- St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin provides a Support & Information Service staffed by experienced mental health nurses 9-5 Monday to Friday with an answering and call-back facility outside hours. You can contact the Support & Information service by calling 01 249 3333.

For further information, the following booklets can also be downloaded:

- Positive Mental Health in Farming

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Positive-Mental-Health-in-Farming.pdf

- Staying Fit for Farming – A Health Booklet for Farmers

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2012/StayingFitForFarming.pdf

- Coping with the Pressures of Farming

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Coping-with-the-pressures-of-farming.pdf

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Martina Harrington joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an overview of parasite control at housing.

Housing is one of the best times of the year for treating cattle against some of the more common internal and external parasites.

However, products vary in price, in what they control and in how they are given to the animal. Martina outlined what parasites should be controlled at housing.

She highlighted that farmers need to be aware of resistance issues on farm and withdrawal periods when selecting and administering a particular product.

As fluke and lice are the two major concerns for housing on many farms, Martina discussed control options. However, dosing correctly means using the right product, at the right time, using the correct dose rate and administering it the right way.

Farmers in BEEP- S that selected action 3 to send in faecal samples to the approved laboratory must reach the lab before the 1st November to comply with this action. A list of the approved labs is available here:

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/farmingschemesandpayments/beep/RevisedApprovedLaboratorieslist08052020.pdf

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Henry O’Donnell project manager of the Inishowen Upland European Innovation Partnership joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an overview of the project and explains how it aims to improve the economic sustainability of farming High Nature Value (HNV) land in Inishowen.

This is done through the implementation of a range of innovative measures which also deliver on environmental sustainability by increasing biodiversity, improving water quality and combating climate change.

To achieve these goals, the project will pursue the following specific objectives:

- Provide a best practice management template to increase farm profitability

- Demonstrate that by adopting a whole farm approach that addresses both the economic and environmental aspects of mountain upland and improved lowland on the farm that will lead better long-term outcomes

There are a number of innovative measures undertaken by the participants in the project and for further information go to: https://www.inishoweneip.com/

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Michael McManus, Manager of the Derrypatrick demonstration farm at Teagasc Grange, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an update on the farm.

The Derrypatrick herd is a suckler to beef Teagasc research demonstration farm with a land block of 65 hectares bringing all progeny through to slaughter.

In the spring, 105 cows calved and there were 110 live calves which calved over 11 weeks.

Breeding season 2020 was confined to 9 weeks. This was to reduce the length of the calving period in 2021. After the 9 weeks of 100% AI, 89% of the cows and heifers were in calf. Michael mentioned how weaning will take place in coming week.

All beef cattle are now housed and the target is to finish the heifers in December at 20 months of age and all bullocks will be finished under 24 months. Michael outlined what will happen from now to finishing.

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

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge