The Beef Edge

Continuing the two-part series on fertiliser application, Teagasc specialist Mark Plunkett from the Teagasc Signpost programme, joins Catherine Egan on the Beef Edge podcast to discuss fertiliser application and the fertiliser register.   Mark reviewed 2024 regarding fertiliser usage and particularly chemical N.  There was a 10% increase, he said, compared to 2023. Chemical N use was at an all-tim...

Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Niamh Doyle, has her monthly update discussing grass management tips for the month ahead.   Niamh discusses over-winter growth and the importance of assessing opening covers and the need to ensure conditions are suitable before spreading.   Niamh also encourages anyone who has soil samples to collect to do so in the coming weeks to address soil fertility this year.   You c...

As thoughts on farms move to fertiliser application, Teagasc specialist Tim Hyde joins Catherine Egan on the Beef Edge podcast for the first of a two-part podcast on the rules and regulations surrounding nitrates.     Tim reminds listeners of the open period for chemical fertiliser, farm yard manure and slurry across the different zones, plus he outlines the regulations around roadways, storing ba...

Chris Daly from ICBF joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the new Mart Tracker and the Commercial Beef Value (CBV).    Chris outlines the benefit of the Mart Tracker and the impact that it will have for farmers.   He also discusses the CBV and how important it is for farmers buying as well as selling calves and cattle overall.    Chris describes the values farmers shoul...

For the final part of our special series in advance of spring calving on the Beef Edge Podcast, Teagasc vet, John Donlon focuses on caring for the newborn calf.   John discusses the importance of colostrum and the 1,2,3 of colostrum in which you use the first milk (colostrum) from the cow; feed the calf colostrum within the first two hours of birth; and calves must be offered at least 3L of good q...

In advance of spring calving season, Teagasc Nutritionist  Aisling Claffey, and Teagasc Researcher and Vet, John Donlon, join Catherine for a special three part series, and this week, for the second part, John Donlon focuses on calving the cow.   John discusses the essentials that farmers can do to prepare and what items are essential to have ready and he outlines the key steps when it comes to in...

In advance of spring calving season, Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey, and Teagasc Researcher and Vet, John Donlon, join Catherine Egan for a 3 part series on the Beef Edge podcast.    On the first part, Aisling Claffey focuses on nutrition pre and post calving.   Aisling explains how, at calving at this time of year, we see a lot of animal health problems. Obviously cow condition, particular...

Market intelligence specialist, Phelim O’Neill with the Irish Farmers Journal, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to reflect on 2024 and discuss the market outlook for 2025.   Looking back on 2024, Phelim discusses the increase in price seen in all cattle categories. Even with this increase in price, there is still a difference between UK and Ireland prices.   Phelim also comments on Irish export...

Michael Fagan, technician on the Newford demonstration farm in Co. Roscommon, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the farm and a review of the year since moving from Athenry Co. Galway.    Michael outlines how the move has been busy with repurposing sheds, reseeding, installing paddocks and water systems, all the while getting used to the overall change in location and soil type...

Kilkenny farmer Liam Cassin is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his contract heifer rearing system.    Liam moved from sheep to suckler cows and started contract heifer rearing 14 years ago. The steady monthly cashflow alongside the reduced financial input of purchasing stock are key benefits for Liam.   Grassland management and a good paddock system are very important to make the syste...

Dr. Natascha Meunier, Beef HealthCheck Programme Manager, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss how to control liver fluke effectively and understand it better.   Liver fluke is estimated to cost at least €90m to the Irish industry through reduced production and Natascha highlights how the incidence of liver fluke on this year’s Beef HealthCheck reports have doubled from 1% to 2%:  https:...

Teagasc research officer Dr. Patrick Forrestal, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the practical nutrient management solutions that beef farmers can implement on their farms to increase efficiency, reduce costs and address environmental pressures facing the sector.   This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.   Further details from Patrick’s pr...

There’s a bonus Beef Edge episode this week with Future Beef programme manager, Martina Harrington, discussing the innovations on Future Beef suckler farms which are driving sustainability.   This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.   Further details from Martina’s presentation are available at:   Paper:  Driving Sustainability Innovations on Future Beef...

Teagasc researcher Dr. Peter Doyle outlines the impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.  This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.   Further details from Peter’s presentation are available at: Presentation:  The impact of red and white clover on animal performance in...

Health & Wellness coach, Shane Pearson, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss key tips to staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year.   Studies show that many farmers experience poor mental health, high rates of burnout, and physical health issues related to stress and Shane highlights a number of resources available for farmers and which can b...

Liam McWeeney and Noel Prunty from Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss the beef system, review of the performance to date and preparing for winter ahead.   Liam first outlined the 32 cow suckler herd that is operated in a suckling to finishing system. Bulls are finished under 16 months and heifers are kept as replacements or finished unde...

Grass 10 advisor Niamh Doyle joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead.   Niamh discusses closing up paddocks with 60-70% targeted to be closed by early November. She also outlines the targets for the month ahead to extend grazing and reduce demand to maximise days at grass.   Drier than normal conditions continue to be predicted in the coming...

Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey, discusses winter nutrition and diets on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.   Aisling explains that beef systems are simple and it comes down to trying to maximise intake and growth whilst minimising stress and digestive upsets.   A combination of factors ultimately decides how close you get to growing and finishing cattle to their genetic potential such as manage...

Dr. Eoin Ryan, Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, gives an update on the Bluetongue Virus on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.    Since the end of August, over a hundred cases of Bluetongue have been detected in England and Wales and farmers in Ireland are hearing more and more about it.    Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting cattle...

Bob Thomson, a New Zealand Farm Consultant specialising in sheep and beef, is on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss some of his insights into dairy beef in Ireland compared to New Zealand.   Bob has a wealth of experience working in extension, consultancy and project management for the past 50 years.    He explains what he learned from the DairyBeef 500 farms he visited this week around the country...

Niall Kerins, Teagasc Cattle specialist, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss winter cattle housing arrangements.    Every winter a significant number of cattle are housed and fed in rented sheds. Whether you are the farmer renting out the shed or a farmer renting in the shed, there are a number of considerations for both parties.   Fodder, labour and machinery running costs are often in...

Grass10 advisor Niamh Doyle joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead.   Niamh discusses closing up paddocks in rotation starting with the paddocks near the farmyard, the sheltered and the driest paddocks that will be grazed in early spring .   She outlines the targets for the month ahead to extend grazing, reduce demand to maximise days at gra...

Teagasc Financial Specialist Kevin Connolly is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the main headline items arising from Budget 2025, from tax cuts to increased spending.   Kevin explains that the income tax standard rate bands have been increased by €2,000. The income tax rates (20% & 40%) have not been changed. There has been a €125 increase in the principle tax credits.   The rate ap...

Following the launch of the Beef Budgets for 2024 at the National Ploughing Championships, Teagasc Beef specialist, Aidan Murray, has an update with all the details.   Aidan compares the national kill figures to 2023 and discusses how have the prices changed in comparison to this time last year.    Aidan also highlights how the Irish supply of beef looks for the rest of the year.    Prices are goo...

Scottish beef and sheep farmer, Graham Lofthouse of Bankhouse Farm, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his mixed farming system.   The farm is located 30km south of Edinburgh and is 200-300m above sea level.  The average rainfall is around 1,000mm. There are 470 ewes on the farm and 84 suckler cows.    Graham discusses how the sucker herd is managed from birth to weaning. Breeding and...