STAND 1: Suckler calf-to-beef systems

The implications of production efficiency and level of output will be evaluated by comparing five alternative suckler beef production systems which differ in respect of animal productive and reproductive performance, grass utilisation, calving pattern and date, and finishing systems.

In general, farmers have two main options to increase profitability – increase output and/or improve efficiency. The analysis highlights the requirement to couple both relatively high stocking rates, which drives beef output, and good production (grazing and animal) efficiency to maximise profitability of suckler beef systems. Indeed, achieving high levels of production efficiency should precede increases in output.

For many farmers, operating at high stocking rates is challenging due to factors such as facility constraints, labour availability and soil-type limitations. The principle is that farmers should operate at the highest level of output permissible according to their own set of circumstances. In any event, a prerequisite is that production efficiency should be as high as possible and, certainly, much higher than that which prevails for “average” suckler farming systems in Ireland. Key factors identified as affecting profitability are grass utilised per hectare, calving rate, age at first calving and lifetime daily liveweight gain.

STAND 2: Dairy calf-to-beef systems

Growth in the national dairy cow population will result in a proportional increase in the number of dairy calves available for beef production. Various production systems can be employed on dairy calf-to-beef enterprises depending on breed type, gender and finishing regime. The dairy beef production system selected can have significant implications for farm profit. Production system aside, key performance indicators for profitable dairy calf-to-beef systems include purchasing a healthy calf, good grassland management, high animal performance and high output per hectare.

Blueprints, performance targets and farm profit for Holstein-Friesian and early-maturing steer and heifer systems will be presented at the open day. The most successful systems are those that achieve a high proportion (>60%) of total lifetime liveweight gain from grazed pasture. System profitability is vulnerable to increases in concentrate input costs and calf purchase price, as well as beef price.

STAND 3: Exploiting genetics

Genetics involves the passing on of favourable or unfavourable genes from one generation to the next. Unlike animal management or feeding, genetics is cumulative and permanent.

The €uro-Star Replacement Index (for the identification of animals suitable for breeding and selecting high profit replacement females) and Terminal Index (for the identification of sires suitable for breeding high profit animals for slaughter) are profit-based breeding indexes which can be used to select genetically elite animals. Animals’ individual performance records such as calving, weights, fertility, and carcase data along with all ancestry records are used to predict the genetic merit of each animal.

Current research shows that the introduction of genomic selection will increase the reliability of all traits in the indexes (by as much as 30 percentage units for some traits), and will also reduce fluctuations in animal star-ratings over time.

Results on the validation of the Replacement Index using data from 34 commercial suckler herds show that high star rated cows consistently outperformed cows with lower star ratings through superior fertility, more live calves, higher calf weaning weight (higher milk yield), and better cow survival. Similarly, evaluations of the Terminal Index show that high index sires produce progeny that grow faster, have superior carcase grades and yield greater profits than progeny from low-index sires.

STAND 4: Grassland management

Most beef farms are performing well below their potential in terms of grass production and utilisation. The main grassland stand at the Grange open day will discuss how beef farmers can increase annual grass production by 4-5t DM/ha by focusing on simple changes to grazing management.

The four key areas identified to increase grass utilisation on beef farms are: (1) increase soil fertility; only 11% of all grassland farms soils tested last year were optimum for soil fertility – soil testing and addressing deficiencies in soil pH, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) annually is vital in order to increase grass production; (2) proper grazing infrastructure; if grass is to be utilised efficiently an appropriate number of paddocks must be made available to each group of grazing animals (six to eight paddocks per group); (3) improve grazing management; more focus is required on managing grass supply, especially in spring and during the main grazing season – emphasis needs to be placed on ensuring that target pre-grazing heights of 8-10cm (1,300-1,600kg DM/ha), and post-grazing heights of 4cm, are achieved during the main season; (4) use perennial ryegrass/clover swards; swards which can be grazed tightly and that are responsive to nitrogen fertiliser application are key to increasing grass utilisation.

STAND 5: Reproduction and health

Herd fertility and health are two of the main factors determining output and ultimately the profitability of suckler cow herds. In Irish suckler herds, there is evidence that over 80% of replacement heifers fail to meet the target age at first-calving of 24 months; the average calving-to-calving interval is frequently in excess of 400 days and only eight out of every 10 cows produce a calf within a 12-month period. Additionally, only one in five calves is bred through AI.

These statistics do not bode well for the future economic and environmental sustainability of the national suckler cow herd. Management practices and biosecurity have an important role to play in optimising fertility through the prevention and control of infectious agents.

The key elements of fertility and health management of spring-calving suckler cow herds, together with preliminary findings from recent large on-farm trials will be outlined at the open day.

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To read the full Beef 2016 Focus supplement click here.