Livestock are among the greatest cause of Greenhouse Gas emissions and the skill in minimising these in beef production is to get the maximum kilos of beef produced in the shortest time the animal is on farm.

This also benefits farmers in that sales value is maximised with lowest production costs.

There is a flashback to the ploughing 2015 with the cattle that were exhibited then subsequently processed and yielded.

They were two high quality steers killing out at what are now considered heavy weights.

The loin from such quality carcases in particular gets penalised in the commercial market and the presentation demonstrated the gauge that is used to judge if a steak is the right size for retail packs.

For comparison purposes a third carcase was chosen at a lighter weight.

Ideal weights

The summary message from the market section of the demonstration is to get cattle finished as early as possible to achieve the ideal weights with the lowest carbon emissions.

A summary slide from Bord Bia demonstrates that the older heavier animal would actually need a premium from the market to cover the extra production cost.

The reality of course is that t it is more likely to attract a penalty.?

Full coverage: Ploughing 2016

Commercial emphasis on Farmers Journal Livestock demo at ploughing

After the breeding and feeding demo, Joe Burke (Bord Bia) and Phelim O’Neill, Markets Specialist with the Irish Farmers Journal, will present what cattle work best for markets and low carbon output.