After a difficult 12 to 18 months, the suckler herd is experiencing a period of renewed confidence, as detailed on page 10. This is stemming from favourable production conditions in the latter half of 2014 and a rise in beef price in recent months.

Despite the renewed confidence, there are still a number of challenges facing the sector. Low profitability, especially on more marginal farms with a higher cost base, will come more to the fore in the coming years in the absence of a REPS scheme and cuts to many farmers’ Basic Payments.

There are also challenges facing segments of the sector. As discussed on these pages, the success of the BVD eradication programme will be limited in the absence of all persistently infected or PI animals being removed from farms. The report from the maternal herd in Grange on pages 8 and 9 raises questions as to whether or not continental genetics is capable of fast-tracking real gains in terms of reintroducing more maternal traits into the suckler herd. The trial is only in year one and has taken place in a year of excellent production conditions, which also serves to deliver another message – breeding performance can be significantly improved by adequate nutrition and optimum management. Advice on how to achieve is detailed by Alan Kelly on pages 4 and 5.