Profitability and labour efficiency focus at Teagasc dairy-beef open day

The Teagasc dairy-beef farm open day will be held on Ballyvadin Beef Farm in Co Tipperary.

Farmers are invited to attend a dairy-beef farm open day to learn firsthand ways to make dairy-beef systems more profitable, sustainable, and labour-efficient.

The open day will be hosted on July 22, at 11am at Ballyvadin Beef Farm Ltd, Fethard, Co Tipperary (E91E0X3). 

Following a recent 25ha expansion in October 2025, the standalone commercial unit now spans 134ha.

The event, organised by Teagasc in partnership with Dawn Meats and Shinagh Estates Ltd, will focus on building highly profitable, sustainable, and labour-efficient dairy-to-beef systems.

Head of the Teagasc livestock systems research department, Dr Padraig French, said: “Attendees will have an opportunity to see live animal demonstrations and practical research showcasing how elite dairy-beef genetics, proactive animal health, and strategic finishing work together to optimise herd performance and increase margins.

I would encourage all cattle farmers and dairy farmers to take this opportunity to see this top-class farm business.” 

"The open day will guide visitors through eight core stations across the farm, ranging from finance, genetics and grass management.

Attendees will get an in-depth look at the farm’s audited accounts, capital costs and its impressive return on labour, as well as the farm’s contract calf supply model with nine dairy farmers, which secures high commercial beef value genetics to ensure better animal performance.

Other stations will cover the proactive vaccination protocols used to minimise calf mortality and regular parasite monitoring to minimise resistance to anthelmintics on the farm, and practical farm automation setups designed to save time during peak spring workloads.

Stations covering finishing and drafting steers and heifers for slaughter, ensuring all cattle reach factory carcass specification at a young age, grassland management to drive animal performance, ensuring high-quality pasture and silage and water quality and environmental protective measures, including roadway infrastructure and the Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign.

Attendees will also get to see a Grass 10 Demo with live paddock measurements and grazing tools to help farmers optimise their seasonal grass allocation.

A spokesperson for the event said: "Operating as a fully transparent, standalone commercial entity, Tipperary beef farm offers farmers real-world data on what it takes to build and operate a resilient dairy-beef enterprise."

• Gates open at 11am;
• Admission is free and all farmers and industry stakeholders are welcome;
• Complimentary food and refreshments will be served on the day;
• For event updates, follow the farm on social media, or visit the official event page on the Teagasc website.