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The Beef Edge

The Beef Edge

Teagasc

The Beef Edge is Teagasc’s podcast for all the latest news, information and advice for Irish beef farmers, presented by Catherine Egan. Visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/the-beef-edge-podcast/

258 - Staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year
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  • 258 - Staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year

    Health & Wellness coach, Shane Pearson, joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss key tips to staying resilient on the farm through stressful times of the year.

     

    Studies show that many farmers experience poor mental health, high rates of burnout, and physical health issues related to stress and Shane highlights a number of resources available for farmers and which can be accessed at:

    https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2024/Positive-Mental-Health.pdf

     

    Farmers frequently face heightened stress during calving season, market preparations and inspections. By applying the 5 Ps of Resilience—Presence, Purpose, Power, People, and Preparation—farmers can build a solid foundation to handle stress, keep operations running smoothly, and sustain mental and physical well-being through each season. 

     

    Resilience isn’t about eliminating stress, it’s about having the right ‘shock absorbers’ to take each challenge in one’s stride, allowing farmers to manage their unique demands with greater ease and balance.

     

    Shane will be speaking at the Teagasc National Beef Conference which is taking place on 19th November in the Landmark Hotel Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, at 5pm.

     

     Other speakers at the National Beef Conference include:

    ·      Dr. Peter Doyle, Research Officer, Teagasc Grange, will outline the impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems

    ·      Dr. Patrick Forrestal, Senior Research Officer from Teagasc Johnstown Castle, will discuss some practical nutrient management solutions that beef farmers can implement on their farms to increase efficiency, reduce costs and address environmental pressures facing the sector

    ·      Dr. John Donlon, Research Officer, Teagasc Grange, will out outline ways to control pneumonia in suckler weanlings

    ·      Eoin Ryan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will discuss the risks for Irish cattle farmers in relation to bluetongue

    ·      Martina Harrington, Programme Manager, Future Beef Programme, Teagasc, will outline innovations from the participants of Future Beef Suckler Farms

     

    For further information go to: 

    www.teagasc.ie/beefcon2024

     

    For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
    https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

     
    Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

    Wed, 13 Nov 2024
  • 257 - Reviewing the Ballyhaise herd performance and preparations for the winter ahead

    Liam McWeeney and Noel Prunty from Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge to discuss the beef system, review of the performance to date and preparing for winter ahead.

     

    Liam first outlined the 32 cow suckler herd that is operated in a suckling to finishing system. Bulls are finished under 16 months and heifers are kept as replacements or finished under 20 months of age. The beef unit is 24ha of heavy soil type with some of the farm low lying.

    AI is used on the farm to breed replacements and a Charolais stock bull is also used. Breeding went well this year and it done over 9 weeks with 92% of the cows proving in calf.

     

    Bull weanlings were housed last week and are being fed 3kg/head/day of concentrates. Liam outlined the management up to finishing. Last year’s bulls averaged 390kg when finished at 14months of age.

     

    Noel outlined the management indoors in the coming months and performance of heifers born in 2023.

     

    Heifers calve at 24 months and Liam explained the management of the heifers to reach a target weight of 420kg by breeding, while Noel highlighted the importance of the herd health plan on the farm and over the housing period.

     

    For further information on Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College go to:

    https://www.teagasc.ie/education/teagasc-colleges/ballyhaise/

     

    For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
    https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

     
    Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

     

    Fri, 08 Nov 2024
  • 256 - November Grass Update

    Grass 10 advisor Niamh Doyle joins Catherine Egan on the latest Beef Edge with grassland management tips for the month ahead.

     

    Niamh discusses closing up paddocks with 60-70% targeted to be closed by early November. She also outlines the targets for the month ahead to extend grazing and reduce demand to maximise days at grass.

     

    Drier than normal conditions continue to be predicted in the coming weeks which will help to extend grazing on farms. Temperatures are signalled to be closer to average, perhaps indicating a higher instance of night-time frosts. 

     

    Broadly settled conditions seem likely to continue with some mist and fog also. Conditions are likely to turn more unsettled with rainfall predicted to return close to normal and temperatures close to the average for mid-November.

     

    You can subscribe to the Grass10 newsletter here:

    https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10/grass10-enewsletter/

     

    For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
    https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

    Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

    Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • 255 - Winter nutrition and diets with Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey

    Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey, discusses winter nutrition and diets on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.

     

    Aisling explains that beef systems are simple and it comes down to trying to maximise intake and growth whilst minimising stress and digestive upsets.

     

    A combination of factors ultimately decides how close you get to growing and finishing cattle to their genetic potential such as management, diet, housing, water and disease control.

     

    Aisling highlights the importance of taking a silage sample and discusses the targets to see in the report. Then based on the result, the concentrates are balanced.  

     

    Aisling also advises on the importance of energy and protein in the ration and for farmers to speak to their merchants about the ingredients to ensure high quality ingredients are included.

     

    She then explains the inclusion of minerals in diets and it is important to be mindful of the dilution of nutrients when including minerals or getting farmers to compare diets. Minerals contribute no energy, fibre or protein – just ash and vital trace and macro elements.

     

    For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
    https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

     
    Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

    Wed, 30 Oct 2024
  • 254 - Is Bluetongue Virus a risk for Ireland?

    Dr. Eoin Ryan, Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, gives an update on the Bluetongue Virus on this week’s Beef Edge podcast. 

     

    Since the end of August, over a hundred cases of Bluetongue have been detected in England and Wales and farmers in Ireland are hearing more and more about it. 

     

    Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas and other ruminants and camelids. Bluetongue does not pose a food safety or public health risk. It is spread between animals by biting midges. There are many different serotypes. Bluetongue virus 3 (BTV-3) is currently the most serious threat. 

     

    It has been spreading rapidly across north-western Europe since last autumn. The high-risk period in Ireland runs from spring until late autumn when midges are most abundant.

     

    Clinical signs include:

    -       Fever

    -       Inappetence (loss or lack of appetite)

    -       Drop in milk yield

    -       Reddening of the mucus membranes

    -       Sores on the nose, gum and dental pads

    -       Swelling of the face, lips and tongue (i.e. ‘bluetongue’)

    -       Breathing difficulties if the tongue swells

    -       Drooling

    -       Discharge from the eyes and/or nose

    -       Lameness

    -       Abortion or deformities in offspring/foetus

     

    In severe cases, death can result.

     

    Eoin advises farmers to be vigilant and to report any suspected cases to the local regional vet lab in order to prevent spread of the virus.

     

    There are huge steps being taken to prevent it and Eoin advises farmers against importing embryos or semen to decrease the risk.

     

    More information on Bluetongue can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s website at:

    https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cd6c0-bluetongue-virus/ 

     

    For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
    https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

     
     Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

    Wed, 23 Oct 2024
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