Major Open Day at Grange Beef Research Centre
The Teagasc Beef Research Centre, at Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, is hosting a major Open Day on Tuesday September 12th. The primary aim of the event, which runs from 10 am to 4pm, is to update beef producers on new research findings and developments in beef production. All stages in the production chain will be addressed by Teagasc experts from breeding, feeding and management of the beef animal through its lifetime, to the eating quality and yield of the beef produced. As farmers strive to increase profits from their beef enterprises, analysis of production costs and returns from monitor farms will be presented along with the latest studies on labour efficiency. A team of young scientists will outline their latest research which will influence the direction of beef research in the future.
Some of the other topics to be addressed will be:
New Payment method for Beef
A new study is underway at Grange looking at the total meat yield and the yield of high priced cuts from carcasses differing in conformation and fat class. The opportunity now exists to combine this meat yield information with the factory operated carcass scanners and have payments based on a new, comprehensive and appropriate assessment of carcass quality. A payment system based on these new objective yield assessments would be a major advance for Ireland.
Meat Eating Quality and Healthy Beef
Results from a number of Grange studies of on-farm factors affecting meat quality will be outlined. Effects such as animal age, gender, growth rate before slaughter, diet type, and so on, will be summarised. Information on the human-health attributes of Irish grass produced beef will be featured as will the findings of new studies on the authentication of the source of beef.
New Beef Index
Two new studies are underway at Grange examining the recently launched Beef Index. The first study is with suckler beef cattle and is examining the progeny from sires with High or Low Beef Production Index. Animal from nominated matings were purchased in autumn 2005 and are being reared as either bulls (killed late June) or steers. The second study, using animals from dairy herds, is examining the progeny from beef sires (Belgian Blue and Aberdeen Angus) of High or Low Index for Growth. Some of these animals will be on display during the Open Day.
Sucker Beef: going more continental
The results from four years of experiments where beef production from herds of half, three-quarters or full continental breeding have been evaluated will be summarised. The new direction of the suckler beef research programme at Grange, with a major emphasis on feed efficiency (Residual Feed Intake), will also be outlined.
Autumn Management of the Suckled Weaning
With the majority of spring-born suckler beef calves approaching weaning, a package of optimal weaning practices to minimise weaning stress and losses will be presented. With pneumonias among weanling being a major cost on some farms, and especially among traded animals, some vaccination strategies will be outlined.
Use of AI in Beef Herds
Getting a calf per cow per year still eludes many farmers. Through improved heat detection and synchronisation and the use of top sires through AI the opportunity exists of getting a calf of high genetic merit from every cow each year. Guidelines for achieving this target will be outlined.
Finishing Options for Beef
Following decoupling the economics of beef production in general and finishing systems in particular need to be assessed. Current studies on steer finishing options such as pasture finishing (with and without concentrates) before the second winter or winter grazing strategies, together with bull production at pasture, will be outlined. The effects of maturity (early vs. late maturing beef animals) will be presented along with their carcass data.
Mats on Slats
The findings of a comprehensive new study with finishing steers where conventional and mat-covered slatted floors were compared will be outlined. This study should be of interest to all winter finishers.
Alternative Forages for Finishing Beef
Results of a number of feeding studies where alternative forages such as maize, whole crop cereals and triticale were used for beef production will be summarised. Animals and diets on the current study will be on display.
Labour Use on Farms
Efficient use of time is now more critical than ever with so many farmers having a very limited amount of their own time or of other labour available for running and managing their farms. The outcome of a number of farm labour studies will be outlined, with emphasis on the results of a 12-month study of over 100 suckler beef farms.
Out-Wintering Pads and Earth-Bank Tanks
With Earth-Bank Tanks now officially approved, a stand will feature what is involved in their construction, maintenance and general use. Out-Wintering Pads (OWP) are likely to be approved within weeks. The type of construction likely needed to meet the new specifications will be shown on the day. The role of and options for the use of OWP's on farms will be discussed.
Monitor Farm Results
New information from the Teagasc Profit Monitor farms on production costs and returns will be presented.
Research Village
Research activities of over 20 post-graduate masters and PhD students will be presented on the day. Their research findings will be instrumental in determining the future direction of the beef research programme.
Bord Bia Quality Beef Producers of the Year
Details of the farming systems operated by the finalists in the Bord Bia Quality Producer of the Year will be presented by the farmers themselves.
New Grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme
The Department of Agriculture and Food will be on hand to discuss the current farm-yard and waste-management grant scheme.
ICBF
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation will be present and will outline their current activities and future plans for animal breeding in the national beef herd.
Other Teagasc activities
Organic farm options as they relate to beef will be discussed. The recently launched Teagasc Alternative Farming Options Programme will be highlighted, and queries relating to the REPS programme will be dealt with by Teagasc REPS personnel. Farm forestry options will also be discussed at the open day on September 12.
