Liffey Meats is set to host an on-farm event in Elphin, Co. Roscommon, on Thursday, October 1, from 2:00-4:00p.m.

The beef farm walk will take place on the farm of Gerry, Anne and Cian Beirne in Elphin, Co. Roscommon (Eircode: F45 FA36).

The purpose of the event is to promote Liffey Meats' initiativefor beef farmer suppliers titled: 'Positive Farming Programme', which brings a targeted approach to rewarding farmers for their efforts. The programme has prioritised 13 actions for 2026, with up to €2,700 available to farmers.

The farm system

The Beirne family run a dairy calf-to-beef and suckler enterprise on their 80ha farm.

Approximately 100 dairy-beef calves are bought in on the farm every year. These are predominantly Angus and Hereford-sired calves.

Male calves are finished as steers and dairy-beef heifers are brought to beef also, with an increasing focus placed on reducing the age at slaughter of the dairy-beef progeny without sacrificing carcass-weight.

The farm also runs a suckler herd of approximately 35 continental-bred cows, with the progeny from the suckler herd sold as weanlings.

The farm walk

The Beirne family farm has joined the new industry-led Liffey Meats sustainability initiative.

The event will showcase to Liffey Meats suppliers how the farm is implementing beneficial sustainability actions in line with the Positive Farming Programme on their farm.

The farm has been involved in the Teagasc Dairy-beef 500 programme since 2025.

The Positive Farming Programme focuses on improving the genetic beef potential of the cattle on the farm to drive younger finishing age, encourages a pro-active approach to livestock performance and emphasises the importance of herd health.

Representatives from Teagasc, the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), and Emlagh Lodge Veterinary Centre in Elphin, Co. Roscommon will be present on the day.

Speakers include:

Sean O’Beirne (Liffey Meats);
Nathan McCartin (Liffey Meats);
Tommy Cox (Teagasc);
Kealan Hand (ICBF);
John Gilmore (Emlagh Lodge Veterinary Centre);
Padraig Brennan Consulting.

There will also be a discussion with Liffey Meats staff in relation to the Positive Farming Programme.

Some of the key topics to be discussed include:

Criteria for the Liffey Meats Positive Farming Programme;
Animal performance on the Beirne farm;
The Commercial Beef Value (CBV);
Calf quality;
Herd health.

Beef farmers with an interest in improving animal performance, animal health and genetics as well as their overall farm sustainability are encouraged to attend this event.

A complimentary lunch will be provided to all attendees, and the event is free to attend.