The Co. Tipperary dairy calf-to-beef demonstration farm (Ballyvadin Beef Farm Ltd) is opening its gates to the public today (Wednesday, July 22).

Large crowds of farmers and industry personnel are in attendance at today's event in Fethard where all aspects of the farm's physical and financial performance are up for discussion.

The farm is the result of a collaboration by Teagasc, Dawn Meats and Shinagh Estates and has been operating since 2022, with its first batch of calves purchased in 2023.

The farm system is set up to rear 3.5 spring-born calves/ha with cattle consuming 2t of grass dry matter (DM), 1t DM of silage, and 0.8t DM of concentrates in their lifetime.

The farm is located outside Fethard, Co. Tipperary, on well-drained land with a target annual grass growth of 13t DM/ha.

The farm aims to produce 1,050kg of beef/ha, with 830kg of this produced from pasture.

Further targets for production include producing 1kg of beef for every 13kg of feed consumed.

A unique focus of the farm is the measurement of financial viability through labour. The farm aims to produce 31kg of beef for every hour of labour on the holding.

The focus on productivity through labour will allow the project partners to measure how labour-efficient the system is.

Return on labour and cost figures

The farm recorded an impressive return on labour of €74/hour worked in 2025, but that figure is expected to decline substantially in 2026 to €47/hour.

The farm finance figures for 2025 and estimations for 2026 were avaliable for all to see on the day.

2026 total cattle sales is estimated at €748,900 or €2,122/head or a beef price of €7.07/kg.

In 2025, these figures were at €2,207/head or €7.36/kg carcass-weight.

Fixed costs are expected to increase substantially for 2026 to €208,929, from €185,635 in 2025.

Labour at 43% and depreciation at 26% are the two biggest fixed costs on the farm.

As calves became increasingly expensive in 2026, Ballyvadin saw its variable costs increase to €557,782, up by €111,367 or 25%.

Calf purchase costs rose from approximately €250,000 in 2025 to over €400,000 in 2026.

Most variable costs remained relatively similar to 2025 in areas such as veterinary, contractors, and fertiliser. Milk replacer decreased and concentrate rose by approximately €50,000.

The farm also measures financial viability through €/kg of carcass produced.

The breakeven beef price for 2025 was €5.65/kg of carcass-weight. This has increased to a predicted €6.41/kg carcass-weight in 2026.

The net margin decline at Ballyvadin is an accurate indicator of the position many farmers may find themselves in as costs increase while factory quotes remain at levels below last year.

As drought conditions persist, increases in feed costs to maintain stocking rates will negatively impact farm financial performance.