Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has praised the "unique platform" of the BEEF2026 open day, taking place at the Teagasc Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation centre in Grange, Co. Meath today (Wednesday, July 1).

The main focus of the open day is 'Driving Sustainable Performance', with thousands of farmers attending to hear about the latest research and see its practical application in beef farming systems.

Teagasc chair, Liam Herlihy welcomed Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, as well as Ministers of State, Noel Grealish and Niall Collins to the event.

Addressing farmers at the open day, Minister Martin Heydon said; "The Beef open day is undoubtedly a major event in the Irish farming calendar, providing a unique platform to demonstrate how research-driven innovation can support sustainable beef farming.

"As we take up the Presidency of the EU, the promotion of sustainable livestock systems will also be a core feature of our Presidency."

Speaking in Teagasc Grange, Herlihy said: "Here today, Teagas staff are addressing all the big issues facing beef farmers like profitability, volatility in beef prices, labour availability, and work-life balance and succession.

"The steps being taken by farmers to maintain and improve water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soils are also being demonstrated."

Productivity

Teagasc director Prof. Frank O' Mara, spoke about how farmers can keep improving the performance of their herds and farms.

He said: "Grass-based systems are at the heart of beef farming in Ireland.

"At the open day, beef farmers can see the areas that will make their farms more productive, more profitable and more sustainable into the future.

"There is a strong focus on operating systems that exploit our potential to grow high yields of top quality and low cost grazed pasture.

According to the Teagasc director, calf rearing, animal health and welfare and genetics are "essential components", and stressed that the latest research information will be provided at the event.

"Choosing the right dairy-beef system for your own farm is very important, and today's open day shows practical ways to improve efficiency and profit in dairy-beef steer and heifer systems," Prof. O'Mara added.

"Profitable and sustainable systems which are simple to operate, aligned with good facilities, are essential to making beef farming attractive to young farmers."

As the open day is supported by FBD Insurance, Prof. O'Mara acknowledged the long-term working relationship with FBD, who have supported the dissemination of research results and knowledge transfer to the farming community for decades, through their sponsorship of Teagasc open days.