The optimism injected into the beef sector in 2025 on the back of strong cattle prices is to feed into Teagasc’s national beef conference when it heads to Athenry, Co Galway, on 18 November.
Teagasc director Frank O’Mara stated that the conference hopes to build on the positivity of 2025, with a focus on the opportunity this year’s margins provide to get “investing wisely in farm systems that are profitable, efficient and environmentally sustainable”.
The conference is to kick off in the Raheen Woods Hotel at 5pm on the topic of producing high-value weanlings.
Speakers, including Teagasc Grange’s Professor David Kenny and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s Dr Katie Quigley, are to hone in on increasing suckler returns with the right cow management and breeding decisions.
This session will be followed by one assessing the driving forces behind 2025’s beef trade, farm management for profitability and the challenge of ensuring generational renewal on farms.
Choices
The head of drystock knowledge transfer at Teagasc Pearse Kelly said that the conference aims to provide farmers with the information needed to make the right choices for their farms and families.
“Farmers are in a unique position this year, facing challenges, not of low prices, but of managing higher returns,” Kelly commented.
Teagasc’s regional advisory manager for counties Galway and Clare Pat Clarke stated that the western location chosen for the conference puts a spotlight on the “realities and opportunities facing beef farmers in the west”.
“With strong cattle values and positive market prospects, it’s an ideal time to share practical insights that can strengthen farm businesses for the future.”
SHARING OPTIONS