Michael Biggins on his spring calving suckling to weanling system
Future Beef farmer, Michael Biggins from Co Mayo, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his suckler beef system, weanling management on the farm and the upcoming farm walk taking place on his farm. Michael farms with his son Niall in Ballynalty, Headford, Co.Mayo and he gives an overview of his spring calving suckling to weanling system. All suitable heifers are kept on the farm for breeding and those not kept are sold. This year AI was used on over half the cows as well as a synchronisation programme. Michael discusses the experience and the selection of ai sires used on the farm. Given the current prices and market maximising weight gain is more important than ever , calves are being creep fed concentrates to maximise weight gain for sale as weanlings. Maximising quality grass in the diet is important and Michael discusses the plan to build covers into the autumn. The Biggins family will host the National Future Beef farm walk on Wednesday September 3rd @6pm. The focus of the event will be ‘Running a profitable weanling system in Mayo’. Topics to be discussed include:· How to make a weanling system profitable· Learn about AI, synchronisation & sexed semen· Maximising cheap weight gains with grass & red clover· Bonus Insights: Water quality, soil health, demos for TAMS eligible equipment, biodiversity & more Find out more about the FutureBeef Programme at:https://teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com
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17:53
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17:53
John Maher’s August Grass Management Tips
Grass10 Manager, John Maher, joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead. John discusses current grazing conditions and explains the different scenarios across the country. He also details an action plan for dealing with drought, deficit and surpluses and he highlights the plan for the weeks ahead to ensure quality swards are available for building covers going into the autumn. You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com
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9:40
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9:40
Drystock Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year, Peter Byrne, on his Dairy Beef System
The winner of the Drystock Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year, Peter Byrne from Co Kildare, and Dairy Beef 500 advisor, Fergal Maguire, are on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss Peter’s dairy beef system, grassland management on the farm and the upcoming walk taking place there. Peter’s current system is 19- 22 month heifers and 22-26 months steer beef. Up until 2008, he was running a suckling to beef and sheep enterprise on the farm, alongside a tillage enterprise. Over time, the farm has transitioned away from suckler and sheep production to a calf-to-beef enterprise. Peter has placed a huge focus in recent years on reseeding and increasing clover on the farm to reduce chemical N being used. Soil fertility on the farm is good with pH being targeted over the years especially. Grazing Infrastructure is important with four grazing groups currently on the farm, rotated every 2-3 days. Join us on Thursday, 21st August at 6:30pm for the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Farm Walk on Peter Byrne’s farm at Newtown, Castledermot, Athy, Co. Kildare, R14 R763. Further details at:https://teagasc.ie/event/sgfoty-walk-drystock-winner/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com
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17:24
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17:24
How to increase efficiency and reduce emissions
Teagasc Climate and Sustainability advisor, Enda Geoghegan from Ballina Co. Mayo, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss actions implemented on farms that increase efficiency while reducing emissions and the recent findings from the Signpost Programme Report . Farmers participating in the Dairy Beef 500 and Future Beef Programmes are also part of the Signpost Programme and Enda explains how he liaises with the local advisors, programme advisors and ASSAP programme advisors in his role. Enda outlines the importance of having a nutrient management plan, applying lime and correcting P and K within the farm gate, plus he highlights the importance of farm management practices on reducing emissions. The Signpost Programme Report highlighted how over 5,000 soil samples were taken on programme farms and how the number of beef and dairy beef farmers using protected urea has increased and Enda discusses how a number of small changes can have a significant impact. There will also be regional workshops taking place across the country in the autumn with further details from your local Teagasc office. Further details on the Signpost Programme Report are available at:https://teagasc.ie/publications/signpost-report-2025/ For more on the Signpost Programme go to:https://teagasc.ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/signpost-programme/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com
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18:11
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18:11
The Long Established Young Farmer scheme & update on scheme deadlines
Teagasc Head of Schemes Support Unit, Aidan Murray, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the upcoming scheme deadlines and the newly launched Long Established Young Farmer scheme. The maximum payment for this is €5,000 per eligible farmer and Aidan discusses the criteria these farmers will have to meet to be able to apply. Further details are here:https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/services/scheme-to-support-long-established-young-farmers/ Aidan also discusses the deadlines in relation to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme and National Dairy Beef Weighing scheme. The 2025 Suckler Beef Welfare Scheme is expected to open for applications on 12th August and Aidan outlines the expected actions required. For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com
The Beef Edge is Teagasc’s podcast for all the latest news, information and advice for Irish beef farmers, presented by Catherine Egan.
Visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/the-beef-edge-podcast/
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