Held every two years, BEEF 2026 - taking place on Wednesday, July 1 - promises to be one of the most important events in the farming calendar.

The event at Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath will showcase the latest research, technologies and practical management advice that can help beef farmers improve profitability, efficiency and sustainability.

Through visual demonstrations, live displays and interactive discussions, visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with Teagasc researchers, advisers, specialists and education staff.

While stronger beef prices in recent years have helped improve farm incomes, we have also seen much greater volatility as evidenced in recent months, and so profitability still varies greatly between farms.

Research continues to show that the most profitable farms are not necessarily the largest or most intensive, but rather those that focus on efficiency, grass utilisation and cost control.

BEEF 2026 will highlight the key performance indicators that drive success and show farmers how they can benchmark their own businesses against top-performing farms.

A major focus of the event will be identifying practical, achievable improvements that farmers can implement on their farms.

Topics such as increasing daily liveweight gain, breeding a balanced cow, improving nutrient management and enhancing overall farm efficiency will be explored.

New research from Teagasc Grange on the potential of breeding indexes will demonstrate the improvement in profitability that can be achieved through improved genetics and animal selection.

Current results from the Derrypatrick Herd will also be highlighted, showing superb cow-calf pairs produced from the functional Limousin crossbred suckler herd and the benefits of grass-clover swards.

Research to date has shown significant performance improvements, including heavier weaning weights, increased carcass weights and reduced nitrogen fertiliser requirements.

Grassland management will be another central theme throughout the event.

Grazed grass is the lowest-cost and highest quality feed available to Irish farmers, and the most profitable farmers are also expert grassland managers.

Visitors will learn how these farmers are extending the grazing season, improving grass quality and grazing at the correct growth stage to drive animal performance and farm profitability.

Members of the Grass10 team, along with Teagasc researchers and advisers, will be available to discuss the latest findings and practical solutions.

The structure of Irish beef production is also changing rapidly due to the increasing number of calves coming from the dairy herd.

Dairy-beef systems can be highly efficient and profitable when managed correctly, but they require top class management in relation to calf rearing, grazing and finishing.

Visitors to BEEF 2026 will gain valuable insights into the latest research findings and practical recommendations for dairy-beef production systems.

According to Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc: “The latest suckler beef research along with the trial work on dairy calf-to-beef will be showcased on the day, so there will be something relevant and of interest for all cattle farmers, irrespective of their production systems.”

Beyond the research and demonstrations, one of the most valuable aspects of BEEF 2026 will be the opportunity to meet advisers, researchers, industry stakeholders and fellow farmers.

Whether discussing rising costs, farm performance or future opportunities, the event offers a unique platform for knowledge exchange and practical discussion.

With dedicated information villages covering suckler beef, dairy beef, cattle finishing, organics, forestry, education and meat quality, there will be something of interest for every visitor.

Dr Paul Crosson, Teagasc Beef Enterprise Leader, said: “We have seen a seismic shift in beef markets in the past year, and this event will focus on the opportunities that this presents to Irish beef cattle farmers.

For farmers seeking to improve profitability, efficiency and sustainability, BEEF 2026 is an event not to be missed.

One idea gained on the day could make a significant difference to farm performance for years to come.

This is a free event, open to everyone to attend.

Teagasc Grange is easily accessed on the Dublin-Trim R154 road, 20km from Navan and 40km from Kinnegad, located at Eircode C15 PW93.