Teagasc Hold Quality Beef Producer Open Day

Teagasc, in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Journal and Bord Bia, are holding an import Quality Beef Open Day on Derek and Mary Deane’s farm at Rathvilly, Co. Carlow on Thursday 25 August, 2005.

At the announcement of the event Dr. Pierce Kelly, Teagasc Beef Specialist, said that the purpose of the Open Day was to highlight the importance of producing quality beef at minimum cost.

“The ever-increasing competition in a World Trade scenario means that Irish beef producers much compete on quality and price to remain viable,” said Dr. Kelly.

“This event will demonstrate the key technical practises required to produce beef viably on an Irish farm,” he added.

The Deane family run an 80 cow spring calving suckler herd bringing all progeny to beef. The Deanes were winners of the Bord Bia Quality Beef Producers Award for 2004. A mid season lambing flock of 240 ewes is also run with the cattle enterprise.

The farm walk will cover a range of topics including the farming system, suckler management, breeding strategy and feeding regimes. A discussion forum dealing with beef markets and an overview of the beef industry will also feature. Derek Deane will be available to take questions during the forum.

Derek Deane and his family have been leading the way in beef farming for many years.

“This is a great opportunity to see, at first hand, the essentials in achieving quality led beef production and I urge every beef farmer with an eye to the future to attend this event,” Dr Kelly said.

Ends

Issued on behalf of Teagasc by

Larry O’Loughlin, A/Head, Public Relations Department,Teagasc

Tel: 059 9183408; 087 2562434; Email: loloughlin@hq.teagasc.ie