Cattle originating from the dairy herd accounted for 62% of the beef cattle processed in Ireland in 2025, according to data presented at BEEF2026.

The national biennial beef open day is taking place at Teagasc Grange in Co. Meath today (Wednesday, July 1) with suckler and beef farmers as well as key beef industry stakeholders from across Ireland and further afield in attendance.

The theme for the 2026 event is 'Driving Sustainable Performance' and one of the three key research presentations at the event is titled: 'Profitable, pasture-based dairy-beef systems'.

This research, conducted by Teagasc, noted that dairy-beef is now "an integral part of Irish beef production".

The contribution of cattle derived from the dairy herd to beef output has increased in recent years in line with the 40% increase in dairy cow numbers since 2015, according to the paper.

The stabilisation in dairy cow numbers has led to a reduction in the number of dairy heifer replacements required.

This, coupled with the increased use of technologies such sexed semen has led to 63% of calves born to dairy cows in 2025 being beef-sired, according to the research paper.

Early maturing dairy-beef systems more profitable

Some of the key research findings noted that in respect of breed-types, early-maturing systems were found to be more profitable due to lower calf purchase price, fewer finishing days, and the ‘early-maturing breed carcass bonus’ compared to late-maturing breed systems.

Looking at calf registrations from the dairy herd by sire breed in 2025, early-maturing beef breeds such as Angus and Hereford account for the highest number of calf registrations, followed by Holstein-Friesian and late-maturing beef breeds such as Limousin, Belgian Blue, etc.

The research presented on the day also noted that the national average age at finish for dairy-beef steers and heifers in 2025 was 27.0 and 25.5 months-of-age, respectively, at average carcass weights of 329kg and 282kg.

One of the key mechanisms to improving profitability in dairy-beef systems is the inclusion of clover or clover and herbs in grass swards.

This has been shown to improve profitability by reducing nitrogen fertiliser inputs and improving animal performance.

Stay tuned to Agriland for further updates from the Teagasc BEEF2026 event.