Over the years, our industry has benefited greatly from a strategy of securing the best international expertise to either help overcome a problem or advance the understanding and adoption of new technologies. It is a strategy that transformed our national breeding programme.
Based on the successes of the past, we should ask if such a strategy has merit in taking on the strategic challenges currently facing the sector. Without doubt, one of the most pressing is the extent to which the scientific attributes of our grass-based production model have failed to be properly accounted for within the climate change debate – from an environmental and nutritional perspective.
Prior to the establishment of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) in 1998, breeding decisions on dairy and beef farms were largely subjective and taken in the absence of proper economic measurement. The need to increase farm profitability through securing access to better genetics was identified. Twenty-two years later farmers now own one of the most integrated animal databases in the world, around which they can shape their breeding programmes. Meanwhile, Ireland has emerged as a global leader in animal genetics.
While many factors contributed to the success of ICBF, few would look past the important role played by founding CEO Brian Wickham. In his appointment, the New Zealander was identified as having extensive experience in cattle breeding and a deep understanding of how to create a national genetic database – having championed the establishment of a similar model in New Zealand.
In 1998, a vision was created to drive farm profitability through genetic improvement. In the same way, we need a vision as to how we now create a robust scientific narrative that reinforces the environmental and nutritional credentials of Ireland’s grass-based production systems to consumers and policymakers.
Delivering on vision will be key to protecting demand and value of Irish meat and dairy products in key markets. Post-Brexit, convincing British consumers as to the enhanced sustainability credentials of Irish product will be critical in preventing cheaper non-EU imports from destructing the value of the market.
The extent to which we are losing the battle is best measured in how vested interest groups and sections of the media continue to fuel the populist narrative – one that severely undermines the environmental practices and nutritional qualities associated with produce from Irish farms. Farmers should not underestimate the damage this inaccurate portrayal does to consumer perception and in the way policymakers view our sector.
The task of changing this narrative should not be underestimated – but nor should we ignore the bank of scientific evidence that exists on which to defend the sector. Although not yet receiving the same media attention, there is a growing body of evidence from internationally respected institutions challenging the contribution of grass-based production systems to climate change.
Not only is the impact of methane emissions from livestock on global warming thought to be vastly overestimated, there is also a growing recognition as to the important role livestock grazing systems play in the sequestration and retention of carbon in our soils. Alongside this, many accept that the nutritional importance of meat and dairy protein in a balanced diet is not being properly recognised in the climate debate.
It is time to move beyond lamenting sections of the media playing to the populist agenda. Attention should be diverted towards ensuring that we are in a strong position to mount a scientifically robust defence to the spurious comments made by vested interest groups.
As was the case with Brian Wickham, it should not be beyond the ability or financial capacity of the sector to secure a world-class scientist to lead a new climate change think tank for the agriculture sector – one that supports the work of Teagasc, Bord Bia and other stakeholders. The objective should be to use science to ensure the unique environmental and nutritional aspects of our grass-based model are reflected in national and EU policy and defended across the media landscape. And to challenge the industry, including farmers, to adopt management practices and production techniques that further minimise the environmental footprint associated with food production.
\ Jim Cogan
Beef: start of a long journey on eating quality
Eating quality has been an issue that the beef industry has grappled with now for many years. There have been advances at processing level in relation to the pre-slaughter management of animals, carcase chilling and the maturation process.
Now the focus is turning to the influence of genetics. The expectation is that we can harness the power of the ICBF database to identify animals with superior traits for tenderness, flavour and juiciness.
In this week's edition, Adam Woods looks at the ongoing work around the development of a meat eating quality index. There are few surprises to date with the traditional breeds ranking highest. However, as the evaluations are rolled out across stock bulls and other animals, it is likely that we will see significant variation within breeds. The work has the potential to allow Ireland apply a science-based approach to meat eating quality claims.
Of course, identifying animals with superior meat eating quality traits is only the first step. Transforming our carcase grading system so that proper economic values can be attributed to these traits is likely to face resistance – similar to what was encountered when the Quality Payment System was introduced.
The research is being headed up by the partners involved in Meat Technology Ireland – Teagasc, ICBF, the meat processing sector and Enterprise Ireland. It will be critical that information from all genetic evaluations is made available to all stakeholders, including farmers and pedigree breeders, at the same time. No stakeholder should be given advance sight of what would obviously be commercially sensitive information.
Environment: ammonia findings
Few other sectors have produced such a clear science-led plan.
The value of Teagasc to agriculture was evident again this week when it published a new marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) for a range of ammonia mitigation measures.
The analysis presents a road map to achieve a 13% reduction in emissions in the next 10 years. Few other sectors have produced such a clear science-led plan. The two crucial ammonia mitigation measures – the move to protected urea and the use of low-emission slurry spreading – will also deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Full implementation of the two measures account for 80% of the targeted reduction in ammonia emissions. The analysis shows once again that liming and clover contribute an environmental dividend. Surely it is time for incentives around both measures to be recognised in environmental schemes.
Teagasc will hold a webinar on the new ammonia MACC on Wednesday 7 October at 9:30am.
Trade: Brexit options will be either bad or worse
Following the Irish Farmers Journal and Livestock and Meat Commission Brexit webinar last week, the only question left is how bad Brexit will be for Irish farmers.
The details are carried in this week’s edition, showing how the 15-step export process in a trade deal will cost at the very least 11c/kg on the beef carcase.
Every sector will be negatively affected and this is assuming a deal will be concluded. If there is no deal, the consequences are horrendous.
The Government has to move immediately and be ready to provide support funding and mobilise the EU to preserve EU markets for EU production at least in the short and medium term from 1 January.
Machinery: tractor safety
The Irish Farmers Journal is delighted to partner with the Department of Agriculture and the Health and Safety Authority to develop a free online tractor safety course. Vehicles and machinery are the main causes of farm accidents, accounting for 50% of farm deaths. We encourage all farm families to enrol as well as novice and experienced machinery operators.
Read more
Sustainability: Meeting ammonia targets the key challenge for Irish agriculture
EU sets out plan to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030
Over the years, our industry has benefited greatly from a strategy of securing the best international expertise to either help overcome a problem or advance the understanding and adoption of new technologies. It is a strategy that transformed our national breeding programme.
Based on the successes of the past, we should ask if such a strategy has merit in taking on the strategic challenges currently facing the sector. Without doubt, one of the most pressing is the extent to which the scientific attributes of our grass-based production model have failed to be properly accounted for within the climate change debate – from an environmental and nutritional perspective.
Prior to the establishment of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) in 1998, breeding decisions on dairy and beef farms were largely subjective and taken in the absence of proper economic measurement. The need to increase farm profitability through securing access to better genetics was identified. Twenty-two years later farmers now own one of the most integrated animal databases in the world, around which they can shape their breeding programmes. Meanwhile, Ireland has emerged as a global leader in animal genetics.
While many factors contributed to the success of ICBF, few would look past the important role played by founding CEO Brian Wickham. In his appointment, the New Zealander was identified as having extensive experience in cattle breeding and a deep understanding of how to create a national genetic database – having championed the establishment of a similar model in New Zealand.
In 1998, a vision was created to drive farm profitability through genetic improvement. In the same way, we need a vision as to how we now create a robust scientific narrative that reinforces the environmental and nutritional credentials of Ireland’s grass-based production systems to consumers and policymakers.
Delivering on vision will be key to protecting demand and value of Irish meat and dairy products in key markets. Post-Brexit, convincing British consumers as to the enhanced sustainability credentials of Irish product will be critical in preventing cheaper non-EU imports from destructing the value of the market.
The extent to which we are losing the battle is best measured in how vested interest groups and sections of the media continue to fuel the populist narrative – one that severely undermines the environmental practices and nutritional qualities associated with produce from Irish farms. Farmers should not underestimate the damage this inaccurate portrayal does to consumer perception and in the way policymakers view our sector.
The task of changing this narrative should not be underestimated – but nor should we ignore the bank of scientific evidence that exists on which to defend the sector. Although not yet receiving the same media attention, there is a growing body of evidence from internationally respected institutions challenging the contribution of grass-based production systems to climate change.
Not only is the impact of methane emissions from livestock on global warming thought to be vastly overestimated, there is also a growing recognition as to the important role livestock grazing systems play in the sequestration and retention of carbon in our soils. Alongside this, many accept that the nutritional importance of meat and dairy protein in a balanced diet is not being properly recognised in the climate debate.
It is time to move beyond lamenting sections of the media playing to the populist agenda. Attention should be diverted towards ensuring that we are in a strong position to mount a scientifically robust defence to the spurious comments made by vested interest groups.
As was the case with Brian Wickham, it should not be beyond the ability or financial capacity of the sector to secure a world-class scientist to lead a new climate change think tank for the agriculture sector – one that supports the work of Teagasc, Bord Bia and other stakeholders. The objective should be to use science to ensure the unique environmental and nutritional aspects of our grass-based model are reflected in national and EU policy and defended across the media landscape. And to challenge the industry, including farmers, to adopt management practices and production techniques that further minimise the environmental footprint associated with food production.
\ Jim Cogan
Beef: start of a long journey on eating quality
Eating quality has been an issue that the beef industry has grappled with now for many years. There have been advances at processing level in relation to the pre-slaughter management of animals, carcase chilling and the maturation process.
Now the focus is turning to the influence of genetics. The expectation is that we can harness the power of the ICBF database to identify animals with superior traits for tenderness, flavour and juiciness.
In this week's edition, Adam Woods looks at the ongoing work around the development of a meat eating quality index. There are few surprises to date with the traditional breeds ranking highest. However, as the evaluations are rolled out across stock bulls and other animals, it is likely that we will see significant variation within breeds. The work has the potential to allow Ireland apply a science-based approach to meat eating quality claims.
Of course, identifying animals with superior meat eating quality traits is only the first step. Transforming our carcase grading system so that proper economic values can be attributed to these traits is likely to face resistance – similar to what was encountered when the Quality Payment System was introduced.
The research is being headed up by the partners involved in Meat Technology Ireland – Teagasc, ICBF, the meat processing sector and Enterprise Ireland. It will be critical that information from all genetic evaluations is made available to all stakeholders, including farmers and pedigree breeders, at the same time. No stakeholder should be given advance sight of what would obviously be commercially sensitive information.
Environment: ammonia findings
Few other sectors have produced such a clear science-led plan.
The value of Teagasc to agriculture was evident again this week when it published a new marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) for a range of ammonia mitigation measures.
The analysis presents a road map to achieve a 13% reduction in emissions in the next 10 years. Few other sectors have produced such a clear science-led plan. The two crucial ammonia mitigation measures – the move to protected urea and the use of low-emission slurry spreading – will also deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Full implementation of the two measures account for 80% of the targeted reduction in ammonia emissions. The analysis shows once again that liming and clover contribute an environmental dividend. Surely it is time for incentives around both measures to be recognised in environmental schemes.
Teagasc will hold a webinar on the new ammonia MACC on Wednesday 7 October at 9:30am.
Trade: Brexit options will be either bad or worse
Following the Irish Farmers Journal and Livestock and Meat Commission Brexit webinar last week, the only question left is how bad Brexit will be for Irish farmers.
The details are carried in this week’s edition, showing how the 15-step export process in a trade deal will cost at the very least 11c/kg on the beef carcase.
Every sector will be negatively affected and this is assuming a deal will be concluded. If there is no deal, the consequences are horrendous.
The Government has to move immediately and be ready to provide support funding and mobilise the EU to preserve EU markets for EU production at least in the short and medium term from 1 January.
Machinery: tractor safety
The Irish Farmers Journal is delighted to partner with the Department of Agriculture and the Health and Safety Authority to develop a free online tractor safety course. Vehicles and machinery are the main causes of farm accidents, accounting for 50% of farm deaths. We encourage all farm families to enrol as well as novice and experienced machinery operators.
Read more
Sustainability: Meeting ammonia targets the key challenge for Irish agriculture
EU sets out plan to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030
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