An estimated 8,000 people descended on Teagasc Grange research centre in Co Meath on Tuesday for BEEF 2018, Teagasc’s highlight of the beef calendar. The large crowd was treated to an excellent display of technical and interactive livestock and technology demonstrations that aimed to improve profitability on beef farms.
BETTER farmers
There are 27 participants within the BETTER farm beef challenge, with the majority of these present in the village throughout the day. Many of the visitors commented on how they enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere within the village. Rather than listening to a series of talks and looking up at boards, visitors were able to chat with the BETTER farmers, whom they have been reading about on a weekly basis over the last 18-months. Also present in the village were BETTER farm advisors Alan Dillon, John Greaney and Tommy Cox, along with members of the Irish Farmers Journal livestock team.
Farmer forum
The farmer forum, chaired by Alan Dillon, featured BETTER farm participants Joe Healy, Padraig O’Connor and James Flaherty. With a very large crowd seated on straw bales surrounding the stage, the three farmers gave accounts of their experiences of the programme to date, including their reasons for joining, the changes they have made and what the future holds for them.
Cow efficiency
The latest cow efficiency study being promoted by Teagasc was the centre of attention within the village. A demonstration was set up, with four cows and their claves individually presented. The idea of the cow efficiency report from Teagasc is based on the ability of a cow to wean a calf at a weight relative to her own body weight. The target cow efficiency set by Teagasc is 42%. For example, if a cow is 650kg, the target 200 day weight for the calf is 273kg.
On the day, a board was erected displaying the weights and efficiencies of three of the cows and calves. Individuals were then given the opportunity to guess the weights of the fourth cow and calf, with correct answers winning a prize. A total of six people guessed correctly, each winning an Irish Farmers Journal jacket. The results were as follows:
Cow Weight: 718kgCalf Weight: 171kgEstimated 200 day calf weight: 210kgCow efficiency: 29%For more on BEEF 2018, pick up a copy of this week’s paper and read the articles online.
Read more
Beef 2018: the take-home messages
Coupled suckler payment would undermine progress - Creed
BETTER Farm: planning for success in Wexford
An estimated 8,000 people descended on Teagasc Grange research centre in Co Meath on Tuesday for BEEF 2018, Teagasc’s highlight of the beef calendar. The large crowd was treated to an excellent display of technical and interactive livestock and technology demonstrations that aimed to improve profitability on beef farms.
BETTER farmers
There are 27 participants within the BETTER farm beef challenge, with the majority of these present in the village throughout the day. Many of the visitors commented on how they enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere within the village. Rather than listening to a series of talks and looking up at boards, visitors were able to chat with the BETTER farmers, whom they have been reading about on a weekly basis over the last 18-months. Also present in the village were BETTER farm advisors Alan Dillon, John Greaney and Tommy Cox, along with members of the Irish Farmers Journal livestock team.
Farmer forum
The farmer forum, chaired by Alan Dillon, featured BETTER farm participants Joe Healy, Padraig O’Connor and James Flaherty. With a very large crowd seated on straw bales surrounding the stage, the three farmers gave accounts of their experiences of the programme to date, including their reasons for joining, the changes they have made and what the future holds for them.
Cow efficiency
The latest cow efficiency study being promoted by Teagasc was the centre of attention within the village. A demonstration was set up, with four cows and their claves individually presented. The idea of the cow efficiency report from Teagasc is based on the ability of a cow to wean a calf at a weight relative to her own body weight. The target cow efficiency set by Teagasc is 42%. For example, if a cow is 650kg, the target 200 day weight for the calf is 273kg.
On the day, a board was erected displaying the weights and efficiencies of three of the cows and calves. Individuals were then given the opportunity to guess the weights of the fourth cow and calf, with correct answers winning a prize. A total of six people guessed correctly, each winning an Irish Farmers Journal jacket. The results were as follows:
Cow Weight: 718kgCalf Weight: 171kgEstimated 200 day calf weight: 210kgCow efficiency: 29%For more on BEEF 2018, pick up a copy of this week’s paper and read the articles online.
Read more
Beef 2018: the take-home messages
Coupled suckler payment would undermine progress - Creed
BETTER Farm: planning for success in Wexford
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