A major Teagasc Open Day for the Irish beef industry – Beef 2016 will take place in Teagasc Grange, on Tuesday, July 5.

According to Teagasc, Beef 2016 will highlight a range of technologies farmers can use to improve the profitability and the viability of their businesses.

Beef 2016 will feature a special forum: ‘Young Farmers in Beef’, which will include a panel discussion with a number of young beef farmers.

The panel discussion will be chaired by Prof. Gerry Boyle and the five young farmers will discuss how they plan to develop a sustainable family beef farming business into the future.

The young farmers will take to the stage to discuss their home farms and the key technologies adapted to improve profitability along with how they plan to improve the farm into the future.

Young farmer panel:
  • Alan Kehoe, Murintown, Co. Wexford
  • Aisling Molloy, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
  • Kieran Henry, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
  • Dara Walton, Callan, Co. Kilkenny
  • Paul Duggan, Portlaw, Co. Waterford

Finishing systems, breeding and pasture management

Along with the ‘Young Farmers in Beef’ panel discussion, the open day will also give farmers a road map of improvements they can make on their farms to improve profitability.

The open day will focus on both dairy calf-to-beef and suckler calf-to-beef systems, with a focus on maximising profits from both systems.

The open day will also look at the importance of genetics and fertility to the Irish beef industry, with farmers given an insight to the importance of the replacement index and compact calving.

Speakers from Teagasc will also highlight the importance of pasture management, with an emphasis on soil fertility, grazing management and the role of white clover.

Technology villages

Farmers attending Beef 2016 will also be able to visit a number of technology villages. These villages will allow farmers to interact with Teagasc and industry representatives.

The key stands in the technology villages include the Better Beef Programme, the business of beef farming, animal health, achieving high performance at grass and breeding and reproduction stands.

Health and safety will also feature in the technology villages, a special focus will be placed on safety at work, keeping children safe and the identification of hazards.

The open day runs from 10.30am to 4.00pm with free admission and parking.