Bull beef system ’more efficient’
He said the large increase in bull beef production in recent years has been driven by the opportunity to produce higher outputs of beef per hectare, especially when there was no price advantage per kg for steer beef, and recent Teagasc research into bull beef systems has been supported and encouraged by all of the key beef industry stakeholders.
Bull beef systems that have been incorporated onto commercial demonstration farms have demonstrated high margins per hectare relative to other beef systems, and the Teagasc Derrypatrick suckler herd which finishes bulls was established in consultation with all the main beef industry stakeholders, said Prof-Boyle. He said Teagasc advice has always been and continues to be that farmers considering finishing bulls should first establish that they have a market outlet.
Pointing out that a Teagasc bull beef budget produced for the National Ploughing Championships last September indicated a price required to break even of €4.64 per kg, and that the current price is €3.70 per kg, Dr Boyle said: “On a per head basis, one can see the catastrophic implications for margins.
“In the current context, our advice is very clear. We are saying that provided one talks to a processor first, there may be circumstances where well-grown suckler yearling bulls have the potential to finish profitably under 16 months.
“Suckler yearling bulls over 430 kg can be finished under 18 months but, again, we are saying that the processor needs to be consulted. Yearling Friesian bulls can be finished, but the same caveat applies in terms of consulting the processor. Friesian bulls under 16 months, under current price and meal concentrate conditions, are not profitable unless there is a contract in place. There may be a limited option to castrate animals and finish them as steers.”
