Advertise on podcast: The Beef Edge

Continuing the ‘Getting Winter Ready’ series, Catherine Egan is joined on this week’s Beef Edge by Animal Health Ireland’s, Dr. Natascha Meunier, to discuss preparing cattle for housing and maintaining good animal health through the winter. Natascha discusses parasite control, dosing decisions, worms, liver fluke and lice, the role of faecal sampling, anthelmintic resistance, and practical steps farmers can take to support herd health during the housing period. Further details are also available at: Autumn/Winter Seasonal Tips - Animal Health Ireland Winter dosing – a guide from the Future Beef team - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority 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

As part of the ‘Getter Winter Ready’ series, Teagasc cattle specialist, David Argue, discusses the Teagasc beef budgets on the latest Beef Edge podcast this week.   With cattle prices at very strong levels over the past year, the economics of buying and finishing cattle have become increasingly important for beef farmers. In this episode, we take a closer look at the latest Teagasc beef finishing budgets and ask what the figures mean on the ground for farmers making purchasing decisions this autumn. David outlines the economics of buying a 550kg bullock, how much importance should be placed on the weight of the animal being purchased, and whether paying more per head for a heavier animal could actually result in a lower cost per kilogram of beef produced. The discussion also focuses on daily liveweight gain and just how quickly the economics of a finishing system can change. What difference does achieving 1.2kg/day rather than 0.8kg/day make to the overall margin? With feed accounting for a major proportion of finishing costs, David discusses how sensitive these systems are to changes in concentrate and silage prices. A specific dairy-beef runner budget is included this year, David highlights the key figures dairy-beef farmers should consider when deciding what price they can afford to pay for runners this autumn. Finally, in addition to the purchase price of the animal and feed costs, it is important to consider machinery, buildings, labour and other fixed costs when calculating the true cost of production. The Teagasc budgets provide national guidelines, but every farm is different.   View the budgets for the different beef production systems at: Teagasc Beef Budgets 2026/2027 - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority 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

Grass10 Advisor, John Conroy, joins Catherine Egan with grassland management tips for the month ahead.   John discusses closing up paddocks in rotation, starting with the paddocks near the farmyard – the sheltered and the driest paddocks that will be grazed in early spring.   He outlines the targets for the month ahead to extend grazing, reduce demand to maximise days at grass and aim to have 60% of the farm closed by the first week of November.   John also reminds farmers that the deadline to declare fertiliser closing stocks is fast approaching.  The declaration must be submitted through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s MyAgFood.ie portal, with October 15, 2026, the final date for submissions.  Where a farmer has fertiliser remaining, the closing stock declaration must include the type of fertiliser and the quantity of each product being held. Farms with no fertiliser in stock must also submit a nil declaration. Closing Stocks are classified as any fertiliser held on hand at 23.59 on September 14 each year.   And don’t forget, October 31st is the last day for spreading farmyard manure, where weather and ground conditions allow. The closed period begins on 1 November. Farmyard manure must not be stored in fields during the closed period. 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

As part of the Getting Winter Ready series, Catherine Egan is joined on this week’s Beef Edge podcast by MSD Animal Health Veterinary Manager, Cara Sheridan, to discuss an important part of preparing cattle for winter housing: vaccination. With cattle being housed and weanlings coming into sheds in the weeks ahead, Cara discusses what farmers should be considering when it comes to vaccination programmes, timing and administration. Cara outlines the key respiratory diseases affecting housed cattle, including RSV, PI3, Mannheimia and IBR, as well as the importance of vaccination against clostridial diseases.  She explains how far in advance of housing that vaccines should be administered, how two-shot programmes should be timed, and the importance of following the specific instructions on the product label. Cara also  highlights whether different vaccines can be administered together, considerations for bought-in cattle, and some of the most common vaccination mistakes — from poor storage and handling to incorrect administration and failing to complete a vaccination course. Finally, Cara shares a practical checklist for farmers preparing cattle for housing in the coming weeks. For further details go to: https://teagasc.ie/animals/beef/dairy-calf-to-beef/dairybeef-500/dairybeef-500-factsheets/vaccination-programmes-for-calf-to-beef-farms/   https://animalhealthireland.ie/assets/uploads/2021/06/BS-Cattle-Vacccination-2021.pdf?dl=1 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

Teagasc specialist, James McDonnell, explains the key steps around planning the farm transfer, who should be involved and how transferring farm family clinics are a good place to start.   Transferring the family farm is so much more than just a simple business transaction, there are a number of complex issues to be addressed including: The family home is normally inseparable from the businessA number of family members/ siblings/ children to be catered for fairlyIf the transfer is during the owner’s lifetime, the owner will require an income, as well as possibly the recipient depending on the circumstancesCreating an arrangement that can provide a solution for the different opinions of the family members involved the discussion  Further information is available at: Succession Inheritance - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority   Teagasc run Transferring the Family Farm clinics every year and these clinics are designed to help farm families through the process and all aspects that need to be considered when transferring the family farm. For further details: Transferring the Family Farm - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority 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

National Cattle Breeding Centre Beef Programme Manager, Rose Goulding, joins the Beef Edge to explain how important the right genetics are when selling weanlings.  Plus she previews the upcoming Teagasc Mart events taking place across the country. Genetics can have a major influence on the performance and profitability of a beef herd and Rose outlines the key traits farmers should be focusing on when selecting bulls or replacement females. She highlights the individual traits that farmers need to focus on such as milk and carcass confirmation in details within the terminal and replacement indexes. While the genomic evaluations are now widely used, the additional information of the myostatin gene can be utilised on farm and Rose discusses selecting sires to breed weanlings on plainer type cows that are non carriers of the gene or vice versa. Using a synchronisation programme is a great way to use AI on sucker farmers and the 0-7-10 programme for heifers greatly helps when working off farm and reduces heat detection aids.  For more, see page 62 of the Suckler-Catalogue-2025.pdf.   Teagasc will host a series of Beef Mart Events at marts across the country this autumn, providing practical advice to help farmers breed high-quality weanlings and maximise animal performance over the winter.   The events will feature live demonstrations of AI-sired weanlings, alongside advice from Teagasc advisors and specialists, AI breeding companies, nutritionists and veterinary practitioners. Further information is available at: Events - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority 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

Following on from the Tully ICBF Open Day, the ICBF’s Niall Kilrane joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge with an insight into their latest research findings in relation to beef farmers. 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

In advance of the National Ploughing Championships, Teagasc Beef Specialists, David Argue and Niall Kerins, give an insight into what’s in store for beef farmers at the Teagasc stand this year. Nutrition is such an important part of beef production and David outlines the key nutritional areas farmers should be thinking about at the moment. Silage quality can have a huge impact on animal performance and Niall discusses what beef farmers should be looking out for when assessing the quality of their silage and whether their silage is actually meeting the nutritional requirements of their cattle. David encourages farmers to visit the stand  to discuss winter fodder requirements and find out what they should be considering when choosing feed ingredients for beef cattle this winter. In addition to the beef ingredient display there will be lots to see at the Teagasc stand so make sure to call to Row 7 Stand 137. 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

In advance of Generational Renewal Week 2026 which takes place from Monday 7th to Friday 11th September, Teagasc specialist Ruth Fennell joins the Beef Edge podcast to discuss succession planning and preview the week.  The week will consist of a hybrid programme of events on generation renewal and included are three webinars and two farm walks.  Whether you are just starting to consider succession planning or are ready to take the next step, Generational Renewal Week has something for everyone. It will highlight career paths for young farmers and support for older farmers in stepping back. It covers tax, succession, and collaborative models like partnerships, share farming, and leasing to help families to start the transition. See details of what’s taking place throughout the week below Monday, 7th September | Generational Renewal in Action Live WebinarTuesday, 8th September | Understanding the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal) Live WebinarWednesday, 9th September | Dairy Farm Walk – Exploring Collaborative Farming OptionsThursday, 10th September | Agricultural Tax Reliefs and Collaborative Farming Options for Farm Families Live WebinarFriday, 11th September | Beef, Sheep & Tillage Farm Walk Further information at: https://teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/generational-renewal-week/ 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

DairyBeef 500 manager, Alan Dillon, and DairyBeef 500 farmer, James O’Sullivan from Co. Cork, discuss James’ farm system and upcoming farm walk.  James works off-farm as an AI technician and has four young children so labour efficiency is very important. He achieved over €2,600/ha net profit in 2025 and Alan compares the profitability to other dairy beef farmers nationally, while James discusses the investments on the farm and the grazing strategy and fodder deficit options.  With around 27 tonnes of beef supplied annually, James says management decisions are most important to ensure the Angus cattle achieve the required carcass specifications.  James is hosting the National DairyBeef 500 farm walk on September 3rd @5:30pm and for further details go to: https://teagasc.ie/event/dairybeef-500-farm-walk-james-osullivan/ 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

Future Beef farmer, James Skehan, from county Clare is on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss his spring-calving suckler-to-beef enterprise while also working off-farm. Over the past number of years he has made significant changes to improve the profitability, efficiency and sustainability of his business, like many suckler farmers, James has adapted his system to make better use of the resources available on his farm.  He has moved from selling weanlings to finishing cattle, invested in grazing infrastructure to maximise grass utilisation, focused on improving soil fertility, and placed a strong emphasis on breeding a compact, efficient spring-calving herd. These changes have helped him reduce labour demands while maintaining high levels of animal performance. As a participant in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme, James has been benchmarking his performance and implementing practical changes that are delivering real improvements on the ground.  In this episode, he shares the lessons he's learned, discusses how he balances farming with an off-farm career, explains his approach to grassland management, breeding and herd health, and outlines how he prepares calves for weaning. ** Due to the passing of a retired Teagasc colleague, James Skehan’s farm walk has been postponed to Friday 11th September at 5pm.** Visitors will have the opportunity to see his farming system first-hand and hear about the management practices that are helping drive performance and profitability. Further details at: https://teagasc.ie/event/futurebeef-farm-walk-james-skehan 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

Cork dairy-beef farmer, Philip O'Neill, who operates a calf-to-store beef enterprise alongside a tillage enterprise, while also working off-farm, and his Teagasc advisor, Alan Carey, join this week’s Beef Edge podcast. Philip O’Neill farms in a Registered Farm Partnership with his mother Denise, and he manages multiple enterprises during the busy spring period which means labour efficiency is essential and in recent years Philip has transformed his calf-rearing system by investing in an automatic calf feeder. Philip explains what prompted the investment, the practical lessons he learned during the first season using the feeder, and how it has changed the day-to-day management of calves.  He discusses the labour savings achieved, how technology helps identify health issues at an early stage, and the management practices that have maintained excellent calf health and performance. Philip also shares the importance of planning, from sourcing calves over a short period to ensuring they are weaned before peak tillage work begins. His Teagasc advisor Alan Carey, discusses the wider lessons for dairy-beef farmers. As many farmers begin reviewing this year's calf-rearing season, Alan outlines the key areas that should be assessed before next spring, including labour requirements, calf health protocols, housing, nutrition and overall system efficiency.  He also discusses how farmers can control input costs and identify future investment opportunities, including supports available through TAMS, to improve labour efficiency and long-term profitability. 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

Cork beef farmer, Noel McSweeney, and his Teagasc advisor, David Hallissey, explain how they prepare for this year's Tullamore Show on this week’s Beef Edge podcast. Noel runs a progressive beef enterprise where he combines commercial cattle production with an embryo transfer breeding programme to produce top-quality show and fatstock cattle.  He discusses his journey as a young farmer, the evolution of the farm and how he has developed a successful breeding programme while balancing an off-farm career. With the Tullamore Show just days away, Noel takes us behind the scenes to explain the planning, preparation and attention to detail that goes into getting cattle ready for one of Ireland's premier agricultural events.  He also shares the key lessons he has learned from showing cattle and offers practical advice for anyone thinking about getting involved. David Hallissey discusses the increasing interest in commercial show cattle, the importance of breeding for both performance and profitability, and the key areas Noel is focusing on to further develop the farm. 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

Teagasc Grass10 advisor, Nikki Kennedy, and Future Beef Programme Manager, Martina Harrington, discuss management tips during current drought conditions and advise on key actions to be taken. With severe soil moisture deficits on farms at the moment, Nikki gives an overview of the current situation across the country, while Martina outlines how farmers are dealing with the issues on the ground. Martina also discusses management for first-calvers and thin cows as they all have different nutritional demands. With grass quality and quantity both falling, Nikki outlines the best supplementation strategies. Martina recommends protecting younger stock first. First-season dairy-beef calves are more vulnerable during drought and she discusses supplementing weanlings.  Martina and Nikki also outline strategies for fertiliser and slurry if rain comes in the coming days 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

In advance of the Irish Grassland Association Open Day on the 30th July in Co. Cavan, Sebana Moynagh joins the Beef Edge to give an insight into her Breffni Pedigree Charolais Herd and to discuss practical beef production and grassland management strategies relevant to both pedigree and commercial suckler farmers. The Breffni Charolais herd runs approximately 90 pedigree Charolais cows in a performance-recorded, grass-based system, operating a 100% AI breeding programme with predominantly autumn-calving cows. The herd is focused on breeding functional, milky and fertile females, whilst also producing bulls with high carcass weight, fleshing ability and calving ease for suckler farmers.   Topics on the evening will include breeding strategy and genetic selection, herd health planning, paddock design and grazing management, reseeding strategies and the development of labour-efficient systems to improve overall farm performance.   Visitors will have the opportunity to view cows and calves, weanling bulls and heifers, along with cattle handling and housing facilities on the farm. Food will be served to all attendees who arrive at 6.00 pm sharp, with the farm walk beginning promptly at 6.30 pm. For more information: https://www.irishgrassland.ie/event-detail/beef-event-2026/  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