Teagasc is holding its national dairy calf to beef open day in Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford today, with gates opening at 11am. It's a one stop shop for everything you need to now abut dairy calf to beef systems. There are four main talks taking place, with attendees also having the opportunity to stop and chat with Teagasc researchers and advisors on different aspects of dairy calf to beef systems. Genetics and the dairy beef index, grass production and grazing management, calf nutrition and health and welfare will all be covered as part of the event.

Main talks:

1. The economics of dairy beef production systems

2. The Dairy beef index

3. Tackling AMR

4. Grassland Management

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Padraig French, head of livestock systems and dairy enterprise leader said: "The Irish beef industry is currently facing some very significant challenges, not least from the low profitability at farm level and environmental targets to be met from production systems."

He added: "Dairy calf to beef systems present significant opportunities for beef farmers. The number of dairy cows has increased from approximately 1m in 2010 to 1.5 m in 2019, which leaves approximately 1m dairy male calves and dairy beef calves available for beef production. Beef farmers should evaluate dairy beef production as an opportunity to improve the profitability of their business.

Stay tuned to farmersjournal.ie and @fjbeef on twitter for live updates and video content during the day.