You are all very welcome to the BEEF 2018 Open Day at Teagasc Grange on Tuesday 26 June 2018. The beef sector is a critical pillar of not only the Irish agricultural sector, but the entire economy. Beef exports in 2017 amounted to 20% of total agri-food exports, worth €2.5bn, representing a 65% increase in value compared to 2010. Ireland exports over 90% of its beef production with the vast majority going to high-value EU markets. Exports to the UK amount to 51% and those to the continental EU markets amount to a further 43%. There are over 100,000 farms contributing to beef production in Ireland, of which 68,000 farms are involved in specialist beef production. Additionally, it is estimated that approximately 10,000 people are directly employed in the 26 major processing plants.

In the medium term, the beef sector will face significant challenges arising from Brexit, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and climate change. Brexit threatens access to our main market for exports, the UK. Additionally, the exit of UK from the EU will have a significant impact on the EU budget given that it is a net contributor. It appears that there will be less money available for the CAP after 2020. Environmental challenges in relation to ammonia emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and the requirement to increase water quality demanded by the EU Water Framework Directive will be additional challenges. Finally, there is the challenge of low levels of profitability on many farms.

While some factors are outside the beef farmer’s control, many remain within the farmer’s influence, and it is these challenges and opportunities that are being addressed in BEEF 2018. Key technologies that will be highlighted will be in relation to making maximum use of genetics and grassland management, as well as herd health. A new addition to this year’s event will be a demonstration in the design and implementation of an ideal grazing infrastructure, which includes drainage, roadways, water and fencing. This will be followed by four technical stands that will provide updates on ‘Suckler Calf to Beef’, ‘Dairy Calf to Beef’, ‘Profitable breeding and herd health’ and ‘High performance from pasture’.

Then the event will open out into a series of interactive villages covering GRASS10, Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER Farm Beef Programme, Dairy Calf to Beef, Health and Reproduction, Feeding and Meat Quality, Being both Competitive and Sustainable, Teagasc Education and Keeping Yourself Safe on Beef Farms.

I would like to thank all my Teagasc colleagues who have worked hard to ensure that this open day is a success. I would also like to thank all the other organisations who partnered with us to participate in this event. I would like to acknowledge the support of FBD Trust for Teagasc BEEF 2018.