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The future of the Irish suckler beef industry is at a critical juncture. Many farmers are questioning the viability of suckler systems and some are looking at alternative options of farming.
Leaving aside the threat of Brexit, rising costs, depressed market prices and uncertainty around future CAP payments and where the sector fits into the Government’s climate action plan are all contributing factors to suckler farmers questioning their future in beef production.
The Irish Farmers Journal Beef Summit aims to bring together Ireland’s beef industry leaders and provide farmers with answers. This is your chance to question the people in power and inform yourself with the facts around our industry so that you can make informed decisions about your future.
There are a number of high-profile speakers whot will each give a short presentation and answer questions from the audience as part of a panel discussion in each of two sessions.
University College Dublin
Topic: The role of the suckler cow in the Irish economy
Michael grew up on a family dairy farm in north Co Monaghan. He obtained his BSc and PhD in agricultural economics from Queen’s University Belfast and MSc in economics from the University of Warwick. After holding a number of positions across Ireland and the UK, he returned to UCD in August 2018 as Professor of Agriculture and Food Economics. Michael’s presentation will focus on the role the suckler cows plays in the Irish economy and the economic effects that suckler beef farming have in rural Ireland.
Meat Industry Ireland
Topic: Irish beef – a premium or commodity product
Cormac Healy is currently the senior director of Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the Ibec sector organisation representing the meat industry in Ireland. MII represents the beef, pigmeat, lamb and poultry meat processing sectors.
Cormac has 20 years’ experience working in the food industry in Ireland, principally as a representative of industry but also spent a number of years working with a processing company. Cormac’s presentation will outline some of the challenges the meat industry is facing along with how beef is sold from a processor’s point of view.
ICBF
Topic: The Irish suckler cow in 2030 – what will she look like?
Andrew began his career with ICBF in 1999 and is now its technical director. From the introduction of the EBI and the Gene Ireland programme, to the beef €uro-Star index and genomics, Andrew has played a leading role in helping to drive profitability in the beef industry.
Andrew’s presentation will outline the role that genetics has to play in improving profitability and also the longer-term impacts of suckler cow breeding on climate change and carbon footprint.
Irish Farmers Journal
Topic: Understanding our industry – from farm to fork
Phelim O’Neill joined the Irish Farmers Journal in 2014 and is its international markets and EU specialist. Phelim has a deep understanding of the beef industry, both inside and outside the farm gate, and he travels to Brussels on a weekly basis to cover EU matters. Phelim’s presentation will outline details around Ireland’s main markets, what form our beef is sold in and how consumers’ purchasing habits are constantly evolving.
Department of Agriculture
Topic: Suckler beef: our plan for the future
Brendan Gleeson is the secretary general at the Department of Agriculture and Food. Previously, he has been responsible for the development of the livestock and food sectors, and he played a prominent role in delivering a significant reform of the Common Agricultural Policy during Ireland’s presidency of the European Union in 2013. Brendan will outline the Government’s plan for suckler beef over the next 10 years and how policy can help shape its future.
IFA Brussels office
Topic: How can the next CAP support the suckler cow?
As director of the IFA Brussels office, Liam plays a crucial role in promoting and defending Irish farmers’ interests in Europe. The Brussels office serves as an important link between Irish farmers and European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan’s office and top EU civil servants. Liam’s presentation will outline how the next CAP reforms could help underpin the Irish suckler cow with support payments. Liam will also provide an outline of timelines for the next CAP reforms and when they are likely to take effect.
CEO, Bord Bia
Topic: Our marketing strategy for Irish beef
Tara McCarthy took over the role of Bord Bia CEO in 2017, having previously been CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (Ireland’s seafood development agency), and was a director of Bord Bia’s food and beverage division for eight years. A bachelor of commerce graduate with an MBS in marketing from the Smurfit Business School, Tara has worked in Germany, France and Belgium. Her presentation will outline the marketing strategy for Irish beef for the next decade, with particular attention on the role of sustainability, market insights and customers in our future branding.
Teagasc director
Topic: Teagasc research: answering tomorrow’s questions?
Professor Gerry Boyle was appointed Teagasc director in 2007 and is emeritus professor of economics at the National University of Ireland and was head of the Economics Department at NUI Maynooth. He qualified with a BA from UCD in 1977 and went on to obtain an MA and PhD from UCD. In his early career, he worked as a research officer in the Agricultural Institute, now part of Teagasc, becoming a senior research officer in the rural economy division, prior to joining NUI Maynooth. Gerry’s presentation will outline how Teagasc beef research is focused on farm profitability and how today research needs to answer questions in relation to numerous issues including climate change.
Minister for Agriculture
Michael Creed TD is the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Michael was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1989. He has held several positions on the Fine Gael front bench including agriculture, fisheries and food (2007-2010), health (1989-1993), youth and sport (1993-1994) and education, arts, culture and the Gaeltacht (1994). A native of Macroom, Co Cork, Minister Creed is married to Sinead and has three children. He is currently a member of the Oireachtas finance committee. Minister Creed will participate in a questions and answers session with Irish Farmers Journal editor Justin McCarthy and speak on the Government’s plan for the beef sector.
The Irish Farmers Journal Beef Summit is a gathering of Ireland’s beef industry policymakers and power players to provide farmers with a plan for the beef industry. The summit will help farmers to make plans for the years ahead and decide about the future of beef production on their farms. The summit will look at where the industry is going and what plans are being made for the next 10 years.
Where is it being held?
It is being held in the Shearwater Hotel, Balinasloe, Co Galway, (Eircode: H53 F5P9) on Thursday 9 May at 7pm.
Who can attend?
All farmers and people involved in the beef industry are welcome to attend. Attendance is free of charge.
How can I book a ticket?
Anyone who wishes to attend the summit should log on to www.farmersjournal.ie/beefsummit and register your details to get your free tickets. Tickets should be printed and brought with you on the night to gain admission to the event.
What is the event format?
We are conscious to leave as much time as possible for questions from the floor so presentations will be kept very short. These presentations will be followed by a Q&A session and a panel discussion. While there will be time to ask questions from the floor, if there is a question you would like to ask a particular speaker you should email them to beefsummit@farmersjournal.ie and they will be answered on the night.
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