Cattle farmers face new challenges
The conferences are taking place at a critical time in 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.
Farmers will have the opportunity at the conferences to get the best advice from Teagasc specialists on maximising income from beef and will also hear expert information from Bord Bia representatives 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, which allows farmers and their families to look objectively at their situation and 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 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.
