IFAC Accountant, Trevor Boland, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss financial planning and managing cash flow for the rest of the year.
Suckler and beef farmers are currently receiving higher prices than ever before for their livestock sales, both through the live trade and through beef prices received from processors.
Trevor says that farmers need to be aware of what their farm profits are for 2024: what tax is payable on these profits and what the likely farm income is going to be for 2025?
Many farmers in the past, Trevor explains, would look at income tax filing deadlines as a target and not need to worry about a tax bill, as quite often many, particularly farmers with off-farm income, found themselves with a low tax bill or indeed a refund.
But the IFAC review of 2024 figures to date and projections for 2025 show the majority of suckler and beef farmers across the country will not only have larger income tax bills than normal, but in some cases significant tax bills.
For farmers looking at their 2024 figures and expected income for 2025, there are possibilities to reduce income tax bills, invest in the farm for the future, invest in family and make the farm a safer place to live and work.
Some options to reduce income tax bills include: Stock Relief, Family Wages ,Income Averaging Pension Contributions and Facility and Safety Improvement.
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 Farm Management specialist, James McDonnell, and Succession Ireland mediator, Clare O’Keeffe, join Catherine Egan and Ciaran Lynch on this week’s joint episode of the Beef Edge podcast and Ovicast to discuss all aspects of generation renewal, succession and mediation.
James highlights the importance of Generation renewal while Clare outlines the importance of a mediator to aid the process. It is essential for every farmer to have a farm succession plan in place. There are complex legal and taxation rules that, if planned for, can be managed easily. If not planned for, however, there could be a major impact on the viability of the farm business.
Teagasc run Transferring the Family Farm clinics every year. These clinics are designed to help farm families through the process and all aspects that need to be considered when transferring the family farm.
In 2025, clinics will take place at six venues throughout the country. Further details at:
If you missed the Generation Renewal Webinar , you can watch it back here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcKGV0E2InM
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 Manager, John Maher, joins Catherine Egan for this month's Grass10 update and he discusses the situation across the country, outlining the actions to take to develop an autumn rotation plan on farms
Red/Yellow rust has started to appear on grass plants across the country and John discusses management at this stage of the year.
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
Teagasc Researcher, Peter Doyle, is on this week’s Beef Edge Podcast with an update on breeding performance and grassland management for the Derrypatrick herd.
Peter discusses this year’s calves’ performance and weaning management.
Peter also outlines how he is managing red clover on the farm currently and how it has performed to date.
Plus he explains the plan for finishing cattle and the current research taking place on 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
On this special 300th episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Matt Dempsey, whose career spans multiple decades and various roles in agricultural journalism and beyond joins host Catherine Egan.
Matt has been instrumental in driving innovations in Irish agriculture through his work as a journalist, farmer and chairman of various industry groups and he gives his outlook for the Irish beef industry.
Matt discusses intervention, suckler incentive scheme, beef tribunal, BSE and Foot and Mouth to name but a few.
Matte highlights the work done by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation as a significant breakthrough as well as the emphasis on easy calving, and also of marbling of beef.
He also comments on the emergence of grazing management, fertiliser, and especially grass varieties and reseeding that have been revolutionary.
Matt discusses a previous campaign that the Farmers' Journal and the IFA carried out in relation to Brazilian beef which succeeded in getting the actual import regime changed at Brussels level when the beef trade in Ireland and Europe looked as if it was going to be fundamentally undermined.
A huge thanks to everyone that has appeared on the Beef Edge podcast over the past 300 episodes and to all the listeners for making the podcast such a success. Be sure visit us at the Teagasc stand at the Ploughing next 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
Margaret Brennan, Assistant Principal Officer over Beef Schemes with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the new Beef Welfare Scheme announced recently and to give an update on all things scheme related.
The objective of the Beef Welfare Scheme 2025 (BWS) is to further increase the economic efficiency of and enhance animal health and husbandry on suckler farms.
You can apply if you:
- are aged eighteen years or over on the date of submission of the application for participation
- are the holder of an active herd number with Herd Owner Status. Herd Keeper is not acceptable
- are farming a holding in respect of which a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Application is submitted in 2025 to the Department
- are a suckler beef farmer i.e. have eligible calves born to eligible suckler cows in the period 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025
- are an “Active Farmer” as defined in the Terms and Conditions
There is one mandatory action that must be completed. You can select optional actions: Action 1 – Meal Feeding (Mandatory Action). Participants must introduce meal feeding for a period of 4 weeks pre-weaning and 2 weeks post-weaning to reduce the stress on calves at weaning time.
Action 2 – Vaccination (Optional Action). If action 2, vaccination, is selected at application stage, participants must implement a vaccination programme against clostridial diseases and/or calf pneumonia in suckler calves and record details of the vaccination.
Action 3 – Faecal Testing / Forage Testing (Optional Action). If action 3, Faecal Testing/Forage Testing is selected at application stage, participants must: carry out two (2) faecal tests (with a minimum of four (4) weeks between each test) for specified parasites and submit for testing or take three (3) forage samples and submit for testing. All sampling kits must be purchased no later than 13 October 2025.
Participants will be presented with the number of eligible calves born on their holding between 01 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 at application stage. Participants will have the option at application stage to select the number of calves for participation in the scheme.
Rate of payment:
Action 1 – Meal Feeding (Mandatory): the rate of payment is €35 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves.
Action 2 – Vaccination (Optional): The rate of payment is €15 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves.
Action 3 – Faecal Testing / Forage Testing (Optional): The rate of payment is €25 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 45 eligible calves.
Payments will commence to cleared cases in December 2025.
Applications must be made on agfood.ie The closing date for applications is 23.59:59hrs on 24 September 2025. You must read the Terms and Conditions for full information.
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 farmer, Peter O'Hanrahan from Co. Kilkenny, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his dairy beef system, grassland management on the farm and the upcoming farm walk taking place.
Peter explains how calves are sourced from five farms within 15 minutes of his own farm. They are reared on automatic feeding system which he discusses in detail . They are grazed in two groups with lighter calves forming a third group and rotated every 3 days in a paddock system.
Currently, calves are performing well gaining 0.84kg/head/day. Stores will be weighed at the end of the month and drafted for feeding indoors. This year’s silage quality is very good at 72-275DMD which will reduce the concentrates to be fed over winter.
Peter also describes the excellent handling unit facility that is used to easily handle large groups of cattle and labour safely and efficiently.
The DairyBeef 500 farm walk on Peter’s farm takes place on Thursday, 4th September at 6pm and the address is: Kiljames, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 N25H.
All aspects of the O’Hanrahan’s dairy calf to beef system will be on full display and for further details go to:
https://teagasc.ie/event/dairybeef-500-ohanrahan-php/
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, 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
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
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
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
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:
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
Mark Waters from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the National Genotyping Programme which has recently opened for applications.
The National Genotyping Programme is a collaborative initiative enabling Ireland to take the first step in achieving a fully genotyped national herd, based on a cost-sharing model between the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, the beef and dairy industry and participating farmers.
Genotyping the national herd will provide a huge opportunity for both the dairy and beef industry to accelerate the rates of gain of our national breeding indexes (e.g. EBI, Eurostar & DBI), which will enhance farm sustainability & reduce carbon emissions.
Mark outlines a number of benefits including:
- Labour-saving - farmers who sign up to the NGP will have exclusive access to Double Tissue Tags. By sampling animals at birth, farmers don’t have to wait for button tags or hair-cards for SCEP or Pedigree Societies and then round up and bring in animals for sampling at a later stage. It is also much safer and easier to tag and sample newborn animals than more mature animals
- Cost - herds accepted into the National Genotyping Programme will genotype any remaining ungenotyped breeding stock FREE. From 2024 to 2027 (inclusive), farmers will be required to genotype ALL calves born at a reduced cost of approximately €6. (This is an estimate and includes the farmer’s contribution of €4 towards genotyping, plus the additional cost associated with a double tissue tag and postage cost.). Herds participating in SCEP will only incur the €6/calf cost of those calves not counted towards their annual 70% SCEP genotyping requirement
- Parent verification - parentage errors (which currently sit at an average of 15% nationally) lead to incorrect Eurostar figures and create paperwork to correct once the animal is already registered. Genotyping at birth will confirm parentage & correct any errors before registration
- Genomic Eurostar figures - animals sampled at birth will receive genomic evaluations at the earliest possible opportunity, thereby increasing the reliability of their Eurostar figures well before they are selected or sold for breeding and confirming their eligibility for SCEP
- Commercial Beef Value (CBV) - genotyped weanlings and store cattle that are being traded through marts will have their CBV displayed on mart screens.
Further information is available at:
https://www.icbf.com/national-genotyping-programme/
Or contact the ICBF on email: query@icbf.com or phone: 023-8820452
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 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
Future Beef Farmer, Kay O’Sullivan from county Cork, is on this weeks’ Beef Edge podcast to discuss her organic beef finishing system, current management on the farm and the upcoming national beef walk taking place on her farm.
Kay explains her conversion to organics, current grass/clover and multi-species management as well as her herd health plan.
The Future Beef farm walk will take place on Friday, 25th July at 6pm on Kay O’Sullivan’s farm at Mourneabbey, Mallow, Co. Cork, P51 Y62D.
Topics to be discussed include:
· Financials
· Breeding strategy and animal performance
· Animal health strategies in an organic farming system
· Using multispecies swards to improve performance and biodiversity
· The role of red & white clover in an organic system
· Composting of FYM demo
Plus there will be stands on biodiversity, forestry, breeding and more.
Watch this short promo video to find out more:
https://teagasc.ie/event/futurebeef-kay-osullivan-php
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 Scheme Support Unit Specialist, Seamus Nolan, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme - known as TAMS - to discuss items that are eligible for grants to make various improvements to farms.
TAMS consists of ten different schemes and seven of these, including: the Animal Welfare, Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS); the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS); the Organic Farming Capital Investment Scheme (OFCIS); the Dairy Equipment Investment Scheme (DES); the Low-Emissions Slurry Spreader Scheme (LESS); the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS); and the Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme (PPIS) were previously available under TAMS 2.
The Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS), the Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme (FSCIS) and the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) are new additions to TAMS 3.
There is grant-rate of 60% in respect of investments under the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment, Organic Capital Investments and Farm Safety Investments.
The scheme consists of a €90,000 ceiling for individuals, joint ventures and companies, while a higher ceiling will be in place for DAFM-registered farm partnerships.
For the full list of eligible items and reference costs, click here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/4255c-targeted-agricultural-modernisation-scheme-3-tams-3/
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 DairyBeef 500 farmer Charlie Smyth is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into his dairy beef system and upcoming farm walk on 10th July at 7pm.
Charlie explains how he purchases and rears 100 dairy beef calves every spring and operates a steer and heifer finishing system. Whether sourced directly from farms, or through local marts, calf selection is based on strong beef genetics and high Commercial Beef Values (CBV), with Charlie placing a firm emphasis on quality.
Despite sourcing calves from a wide range of suppliers, a strict health plan keeps calf mortality low. All calves are put on a vaccination programme for pneumonia and IBR shortly after arrival. Calves are outdoors about three weeks now, and they will receive their first worm dose shortly.
Charlie highlights the extensive paddock system on the farm with 24 extra drinking troughs installed this year to improve grass utilisation. As the farm is fragmented in 5 blocks, managing stock groups to match demand is important and to date over 200 bales have been removed as surplus.
Along with the Smyths, Teagasc advisors and specialists will also be available on the night of the farm walk for interactive discussions and to answer all questions that arise. There will be a lot of valuable information and experiences to be shared and anyone with an interest in dairy calf-to-beef systems should attend and admission is free.
For further information on the event go to:
https://teagasc.ie/event/dairybeef-500-smyth-php/
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
Noel Prunty and Liam McWeeney, from Teagasc Ballyhaise College, join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge Podcast to give an update on breeding season and how the bulls performed finishing under 16 months.
Noel gives a review of calving season 2025 and discusses how AI was used for the start of the breeding season before the stock bull.
Liam highlights the management of the heifers calving at 24 months while Noel discusses grassland management on the farm and managing the different grazing groups to maintain quality.
Liam also highlights the U16 month bull performance and the management of the bulls during the finishing 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
With surplus grass on most farms, Grass10 Manager, John Maher, has grassland management tips for the coming weeks.
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
Teagasc Technician, Chloe Millar, from the Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm in Co. Tipperary gives an update on this week’s Beef Edge podcast on rearing calves this spring and management on the farm currently.
There were 381 calves sourced on the farm this spring with the calves sourced from seven farms from specific sires with high dairu beef indexes. There was a focus on selecting sires with high CBV and beef carcass in the sub-indexes.
Chloe talks through the process from once the calf arrives on the farm up to weaning. They were on average 80 days of age and 93 kg at weaning.
Chloe also outlines the key targets for these calves over their lifetime and how the cattle finished last year.
Performance at grass is very important to every beef system with Chloe outlining the management at grass currently and the reseeding that was carried out this year.
The farm is hosting an AHI Teagasc calf care event on the farm on the 24th June @ 7pm and further details are at:
https://animalhealthireland.ie/event/calfcare-event-ballyvadin-beef-farm/
There are a number of calf care events taking place from 23rd-26th June and for further details go to:
https://animalhealthireland.ie/event/calfcare-event-peoples-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
