With dairy cow numbers expected to increase quickly in the coming years, today’s IGA walk at the farm of Kevin Farrell in Ballymahon, Co Longford, centred on profitable dairy calf to beef production systems.

Speaking at the conference, Robert Prenderville, a beef researcher at Teagasc, said that a net margin of €320/head is achievable from a 26-month steer where very high levels of technical efficiency are achieved.

However, due to the capability of the stocking levels, the 21-month early maturing systems wins out with a gross margin of €819/ha achievable. He added that the spring born traditional bred heifer system slaughtering at 19-21 months can achieve a net margin of just €177/head less than steer systems.

In terms of Friesian bull calf to beef systems, Robert said that the highest net margin per head can be achieved from a 21-month steer system, which can achieve a net margin of €258/ha.

However, he admitted that only early spring born calves are suitable for such a system. The 24-month steer system can achieve a net margin of €201/head, while the 19-month bull system can achieve a net margin of €220/head.

He warned that the 19-month system comes with a health warning; price discounts could half the return from the system. He advised farmers to talk to their processor before tempting such a system.