Teagasc Conferences Focus on Future for Beef Farming
The challenges of Ireland’s first year with decoupling on cattle farmers is top of the agenda at seven up-coming regional beef meetings being organised by Teagasc and Bord Bia.
The conferences are taking place at a critical time in Irish beef farming with the change from the old direct premia system to the decoupled environment and the profitability of cattle systems without premium requiring detailed examination. The conferences will enable farmers to get the best advice from Teagasc specialists on maximising income from beef and will also include expert information from Bord Bia representaives and leading beef processors on market outlets and on short and medium-term prospects for Irish beef exports. Information on the Teagasc Options for Farm Families Programme, a programme which allows farmers and their families to look objectively at their situation, analyse the options available and provides independent advice and guidance on the best way forward, will also be made available.
Announcing the special conferences, Bernard Smyth, Drystock Programme Manager with Teagasc, said that the application of the best production technology on cattle farms was now more important than ever for Irish beef farmers. Post decoupling additional profit will be achieved through a combination of cost efficient production and better prices by increasing penetration to the best priced markets.
“At present, only the top 10% of beef farmers are retaining all their premia, REPS and disadvantaged areas payments as profit. The challenge is to focus on the key factors that drive profitability if the dependence on premia is to be reduced. An increase in beef prices and using the most efficient production methods will be pre-requisites in achieving this,” he said.
54% of Irish beef exports are now going to the UK market with a further 37% going to continental EU markets and 9% to third countries.
“We must increase the proportion of beef being exported to the higher priced continental market if profitability at farm level is to improve. The views of Bord Bia and beef processors on how this can be achieved will be worth hearing,” he added.
The conferences will also examine the important production challenges facing beef producers over the coming winter, with guidelines from Teagasc specialists on profitable feeding strategies.
The following is the full schedule of conferences. The starting time for all is 8.15pm.
- Monday 17 October, Tullamore Court Hotel
- Tuesday 18 October, Teagasc Centre, Athenry
- Wednesday 19 October, Riverside Hotel, Enniscorthy
- Wednesday 19 October, Anner Hotel, Thurles
- Thursday 20 October, Ardboyne Hotel, Navan
- Thursday 20 October, Hibernian Hotel, Mallow
- Thursday 3 November, Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny
Issued on behalf of Teagasc by
Larry O’Loughlin, A/Head, Public Relations Department,
Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow
Tel: 059 9183408; 087 2562434;
Email: loloughlin@hq.teagasc.ie
