Farming Beef Sector

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

farming

Forage quality still causing problems on many farms

As with every year 2015 will bring its own challenges.

farming

Cattle supply strengthens as prices edge up at marts

farming

Dangerous residues in beef from Brazil

farming

Cattle prices inch ahead in strong beef market

farming

Watch for retained foetal membranes

farming

Step carefully and get advice if a tenant has failed to pay rent

Each new year brings new challenges for the beef producer

Undoubtedly, it has been an extremely difficult year for Irish beef producers.

Thu, 18 Dec, 2014

Finalise the feed plan

All but a few animals to be housed this winter are now indoors. Farmers need to finalise their feed plan between now and turnout.

Thu, 11 Dec, 2014

More likely to successfully inseminate positive energy cows

In autumn-calving suckler herds, the breeding season has begun, or will begin soon. Just like in the dairy herd, cows need to be in ‘positive energy’ to increase the likelihood of a successful insemination.

Thu, 27 Nov, 2014

Small price increase at beef factories this week

“Every little helps” for beef finishers, who gained a small price increase at factories this week.

Thu, 20 Nov, 2014

€3m limit worth considering in Agricultural Relief changes

As reported on our front page last week, Minister Michael Noonan is to re-examine his proposed changes to Agricultural Relief, which is the main tax relief available on the transfer of agricultural property.

Thu, 20 Nov, 2014

ICOS warns of huge dairy cash flow crisis

With Ireland 7.15% over quota at the start of November, and no milk processor under quota, leaving very little flexi-milk, ICOS has warned that a certain superlevy bill of up to €100 million, and the cash-flow hit of falling prices, will put enormous strain on many farmers.

Thu, 20 Nov, 2014

Lots of boxes to tick in order to get through calving smoothly

The 2015 calving season is almost upon us.

Thu, 13 Nov, 2014

All change as herds head indoors

There is still a lot of grass on many farms, after the ideal growing conditions of the summer and autumn.

Thu, 06 Nov, 2014

Trade in top spec animals stays steady as marts flourish in face of foul weather

The return to inclement weather over the past week has had little or no detrimental affect on the mart trade.

Thu, 30 Oct, 2014

Protests dominate tough week for beef producers

Beef producers who vented their anger at beef prices through their protest outside all of the factories across the country on Monday and Tuesday are in ‘wait and see’ mode for the outcome.

Thu, 30 Oct, 2014

Silage mineral analysis may be the best money you will spend

Getting silage tested before formulating diets for the coming winter is an important way to increase production and control costs.

Thu, 23 Oct, 2014

Preparing to finish cattle this winter

A lot of farmers have been asking about options for finishing cattle this winter.

Thu, 25 Sep, 2014

Plough sound revives a wealth of memories

As the nation’s ploughmen and women begin to enjoy themselves at the annual hosting of the clan on 700 acres of green (and easily ploughed!) land outside Portlaoise, I would like to speak today in my normal learned and factual way on the subject of milk but first I recall from somewhere the yarn about a canny Cavan farmer of the 1940s whose rocky acres would challenge any ploughing competitor.

Thu, 25 Sep, 2014

Watery grass or drought: the grazing challenges this autumn

Grass supply continues to be an issue for many beef farmers this week.

Thu, 18 Sep, 2014

Clean up before winter

We need to get ready for the winter. That means readying indoor accommodation for stock. Facilities should be cleaned out and disinfected before stock return inside.

Thu, 11 Sep, 2014

Beef: It’s September, so bank grass now to extend grazing season

The warm weather is creating ideal growing conditions. Most farms have a surplus of grass. But we are into September, so growth will slow down.

Thu, 04 Sep, 2014

Fast finish on grass has advantages

There are two main objectives for grassland management once you get into September — maintain animal performance from good quality grass, and prepare grazing for later autumn grazing and early grass next spring.

Thu, 28 Aug, 2014

Top quality concentrate for under €200 per tonne

It has been a mixed few weeks around the country for grass growth, with some areas experiencing a mini-drought, while others had plenty of rain to push on grass.

Thu, 21 Aug, 2014

Worth looking at forward buying

It is worthwhile doing your winter feed budget now and planning what you will feed your cattle this winter. Only when you know the facts can you take action regarding what to buy, to supplement your home grown forages.

Thu, 14 Aug, 2014

It’s better to calve replacement heifers later rather than smaller

Rearing heifers as replacements is an important component of suckler farm management.

Thu, 07 Aug, 2014

Managing surplus and getting best out of grass

As we all know, grass is a difficult crop to manage.

Fri, 01 Aug, 2014

Price rise cuts red meat purchases in UK

British consumers still buy beef, but in smaller volumes, mainly because the price has gone up 8%.

Thu, 24 Jul, 2014

Autumn guide to finishing young bulls

Many farmers have continental bulls which they intend on finishing this autumn.

Thu, 24 Jul, 2014

Managing surplus and getting best out of grass

As we all know, grass is a difficult crop to manage.

Thu, 17 Jul, 2014

Cereal options for beef farmers

The 2014 harvest is just underway. Hopefully the weather will settle so that combines and balers can work uninterrupted.

Thu, 10 Jul, 2014

Essential steps to rearing heifers as replacements

Rearing heifers as herd replacements is an important component of professional farm management.

Thu, 26 Jun, 2014

Edible fibre and protein critical for frame growth

Digestible fibre and protein are the essential nutrients required for efficient frame growth.

Thu, 26 Jun, 2014

Prolonged warm spell not good news for all farms

We are getting a prolonged spell of warm, settled weather, at last. Grass growth is excellent on most farms, with surpluses emerging.

Thu, 19 Jun, 2014

Act fast on lungworm and other parasites

As I have mentioned today and in previous weeks, parasites are a major concern this year in all cattle.

Thu, 19 Jun, 2014

Weather not ideal for livestock lately

Many farmers have dairy bred and continental bulls, which they intend on finishing this autumn.

Thu, 12 Jun, 2014

Wet summer farming skills on call again

Recent wet weather has become a major factor in stock management.

Thu, 29 May, 2014

Spring-suckler cows should be back in-calf

A large proportion of spring-suckler cows should now be back in calf for 2015. To maximise the number of calves, consider scanning the herd, to identify those not yet back in-calf, and allow remedial action to be taken.

Thu, 22 May, 2014

It will take years to rebuild silage reserves

Some were lucky enough to cut silage last week.

Thu, 15 May, 2014

Set targets to grow cattle on grass efficiently

Setting targets for your growing stock on grass is important in order to reach required weights for sale or housing next winter.

Thu, 08 May, 2014

Do the sums before committing to silage deal

Grass is flying out of the ground on most farms, with growth rates generally exceeding demand.

Thu, 01 May, 2014

Optimise weaning weight by creep feeding sucklers

The benefits of creep feeding are more than just achieving easier, stress-free weaning.

Thu, 24 Apr, 2014

Now common practice to breed earlier

Finally, a settled period of weather, and a real grass growth boost, especially badly needed here in the south.

Thu, 17 Apr, 2014

Set goals and review performances of weanlings on grass regularly

Most weanlings are not yet out on grass, but they soon will be.

Thu, 10 Apr, 2014

Bull beef system ’more efficient’

Bull beef systems are significantly more efficient than steer beef systems, and have been shown to have the potential to increase margins per hectare, Teagasc director Professor Gerry Boyle said at last week’s Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture’s debate on the beef and livestock sector.

Thu, 03 Apr, 2014

Spring fodder shortage yet again

Just like the springs of 2012 and 2013, it seems that many are heading for a fodder shortage.

Thu, 27 Mar, 2014

It pays to plan ahead for home-produced feed

All going well, winter is behind us — but in Ireland, you never know.

Thu, 20 Mar, 2014

Young stock offer far more options for finishing

With the calving season starting, suckler calves are been born on most beef farms.

Thu, 20 Mar, 2014

Grazing suckler cows and calves this spring

A lot of freshly calved Suckler cows have been turned out to grass in the last week or will be turned out soon.

Thu, 13 Mar, 2014

Ground is ready to push grass

As I travelled around the country over the past week, I noticed that tur nout of animals had started, despite the bad weather.

Thu, 06 Mar, 2014