On behalf of the Irish Farmers Journal, I would like to welcome you to our national open days on two of our demonstration BETTER farms. The Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER farm beef challenge is currently in its third phase since its inception in 2009.

During the past 10 years, the programme has delivered important messages as to how to improve profitability on a drystock farm. I would like to acknowledge the support of our stakeholders ABP, Dawn Meats, Kepak and FBD and the Agricultural Trust (publishers of the Irish Farmers Journal).

We hope that you will find the walks informative and practical and you take some key messages home to improve profitability on your farm. Increasing output is a major focus of many of the farm plans, but it is important that this increase comes from a sustainable farm plan. Grass plays a central role in this and increasing both the volume grown and the utilisation will be instrumental in carrying a higher stocking rate and increasing the gross margin on the farms.

I want to thank Brian, Nigel and their families for opening up their farms to public view. 2018 has been a very tough year on drystock farms and we have learned valuable lessons from our participants. All of the farmers have been very open to new ideas and advice and we commend them for this. With the support of Alan Dillon, Tommy Cox and John Greany, I have no doubt that these two farms will continue to grow and improve their business in the years ahead.