John Phelan runs a tillage and store heifer-to-beef system alongside his brother Tadgh and parents Tim and Monica in Kilkenny. Recently, John hosted a group of BETTER farm beef challenge participants, and their B&T advisers, on one of the farm’s main outblocks in Freshford.

John explained to the group that his farm system is solely store heifer-to-beef, with all animals purchased at around one year and slaughtered off grass or out of the shed under 30 months of age.

Margins

Over the last number of years the farm has consistently hit over €1,000/ha gross margin. John explained that much of his system's success is down to a number of factors including good grassland management, a proven method of sourcing store heifers and a good relationship with meat processors.

Dates for your diary

Two Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER farm beef challenge summer open days are just around the corner.

On Thursday 4 July, Wesley Browne will host walks at 2pm and 5pm on his farm in Dunraymond, Co. Monaghan. Eircode H18 R921. Wesley operates a suckler-to-beef system, slaughtering all bulls under 16 months. His herd of continental cows is one of the best in the programme with all replacements bred from within.

On Thursday 11 July, father-and-son duo Joseph and Harry Lalor will host walks at 2pm and 5pm on their farm in Ballacolla, Co Laois. Eircode R32 CX29. The Lalor’s have a 120-cow sucker herd as well as an evolving dairy calf-to-beef system, a substantial sheep flock and a tillage operation. Bull and heifer beef is the primary system.

Both walks are KT approved beef events and will feature an in-depth look at the systems on both farms and there will a wide variety of livestock and demonstrations on display each day.

To learn more, see this week’s Irish Farmers Journal in print or online.