One of the key focuses of BEEF 2026 was the emphasis on generational renewal and making farms work for part-time farmers.
A survey of 300 beef farmers undertaken by Teagasc showed that 63% worked off-farm at least 30 hours a week, with 25 hours being the average time worked on the farm, alongside this.
Improving infrastructure for a better work-life balance, as well as improving grass utilisation, was one of the most popular stands on the day, and it was hosted by Teagasc’s Declan Byrne and Stephen Kearns of Kildalton College.
"A lot of beef farmers grow a lot of grass but can’t control it," explained Declan. "Where you have cattle grazing in a field for 8 or 9 days, you’re not utilising your grass right."
Declan recommended setting posts apart by 12m for a single strand of high-tensile single-strand wire, with additional posts required where turns or ground topography changes.
Typical costs will run to €2.10/linear metre for materials only.
"There’s no reason as to why you can’t complete this work yourself. Getting a contractor in could see a labour cost of €2/m, essentially doubling your cost," he said.
SHARING OPTIONS