Extend grazing season to boost profits

Measures to increase profit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Irish beef farms were outlined at the Agri Environment Conference 2012 by Paul Crosson of the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange.

Agriculture is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Ireland and the Irish beef sector is a significant component of this — but has the fifth lowest carbon footprint per kg of beef in the EU, so Irish beef production is among the most carbon efficient in the world.

Reduce emissions and boost profit by extending the grazing season; improving lifetime live weight performance; higher calving rates; calving cows younger; using nitrogen more efficiently; and managing manure better.