DairyBeef 500 conference to focus on calf sourcing, better genetics and health
The DairyBeef Conference will cover important areas of dairy calf to beef production.
The DairyBeef 500 Conference 2026 will take place on January 29 at 7pm in the Ballykisteen Hotel, Limerick Junction, Co Tipperary, E34 VK12.
The Teagasc conference will cover some of the important areas of dairy calf to beef production. A panel discussion with farmers and advisors will discuss the areas of focus for 2026 while also reflecting on the positives from 2025.
Dairy Beef 500 Programme Manager, Alan Dillon, will open proceedings, outlining the profitability of demonstration farms in 2025 and the impact of increased calf prices on future profitability.
Last year was marked by a notable increase in farmgate beef prices, with attention now turning to how these rises may influence overall profit margins.
Chloe Millar, a Teagasc technician working on the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm, will outline the health protocols followed when procuring more than 420 calves annually.
A collaboration between Teagasc, Shinagh Estates and Dawn Meats, the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm uses a purchasing formula when setting the price paid for calves from regular suppliers each year. Ms Millar will outline the factors involved, such as calf weight on arrival and Commercial Beef Value (CBV), when setting purchase price.
Dr Nicky Byrne, a livestock systems researcher at Teagasc Grange, will cover the Commercial Beef Value in more detail, examining its impact on cattle being reared to finish at both a national level and on the Teagasc research farms.
Speaking ahead of the conference, DairyBeef 500 Programme Manager, Alan Dillon, said: “2025 brought us the finished cattle prices we always needed and while they have dropped back a little bit in recent times, farmers are in a much stronger position than they were 12 months ago.
“While there are some issues that might bring disturbances in the year ahead, beef farmers who have set up resilient, low-cost, grass-based systems are in an excellent place to weather any storm that may lie ahead in 2026 and capitalise on the current beef prices that exist.”
A panel discussion will follow with Peter O’Hanrahan, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 participant, who farms in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, rearing and finishing over 200 calves annually as steers, Jack Spillane, farm manager at the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm and Tommy Cox, advisor on the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Programme.
The discussion aims to reflect on-farm performance in 2025, with a focus on herd health, weight gain and achieving targets within a grass-based system. It will also consider the outlook for 2026, including rising calf prices and how farmers can future-proof their systems against potential volatility in beef markets.
The event will be chaired by Matt O’Keeffe, Editor of the , and host of the Farm Show on KCLR.
