Beef producers can enjoy average gross profit margin of €900/ha
Over 8,500 farmers attending the event were presented with the latest results from the Derrypatrick and Maternal Index herds. Teagasc’s Derrypatrick herd achieved an average gross margin of €900/ha over the last three years.
Additionally beef farmers on the Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal Better Farm Beef Programme increased profit by 66% over a three-year period from productivity gain.
Pease Kelly, head of drystock knowledge transfer in Teagasc, said: “It is critically important that beef farmers have a farm plan in place and that this sets out the production strategy for the farm including breeding, pasture management and systems such as weanling, store, or finishing, to optimise profitability.”
Yesterday’s event outlined a roadmap for more profitable beef farming under Irish conditions. Beef farmers were informed that the challenge is to increase competitiveness through the adoption of key technologies in relation to beef genetics, grassland management, herd health and adoption of efficient beef production systems. Teagasc also distributed a book which farmers can use as a manual for enhancing their herd’s performance.
Teagasc director Gerry Boyle said: “Beef farmers have faced difficult market conditions over the last six months. Today’s event is focused on the technical improvements that individual farmers can make inside their own farm gate to improve their efficiency, productivity and protect their businesses from market shocks. We can provide the best research-backed technical advice to improve their business.”
Key stakeholders were also present which included DAFM, AHI, Bord Bia, UCD, HSA, Enterprise Ireland and beef processors.
Beef producers used yesterday’s event to voice their anger over their long-running dispute with Irish meat factories in relation to their price mechanisms, factory specifications and impediments to trade into the North.
The ICSA placed posters along the route to Teagasc’s Grange centre, highlighting the key issues facing beef and suckler farmers.
“Farmers simply cannot take any more,” said ICSA president Patrick Kent. “Our members have seen their livelihoods eroded by the current crisis and ICSA is demanding an immediate response from both processors and retailers.”
IFA president Eddie Downey said Teagasc needed to undertake a full and proper analysis of the implications of the beef specification cuts being implemented by factories.
