Young Roscommon and Longford farmers have three options available to them by which they can complete their Green Cert. All three options lead to similar results…
By Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme advisor Seán Cummins
In an era of beef price volatility, maximising animal performance and keeping a firm handle on costs are key to generating a profit in calf to beef systems.
As profitability is a function of sales, less purchases and costs, maximising the performance of every animal is key to optimising profitability.
Notable improvements in livestock performance have been recorded across the Teagasc Green Acres farms. One farmer who has made a number of tweaks and is now beginning to witness increased performance is Richard Long in Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford.
By Alan Dillon, Teagasc Drystock Specialist/Green Acres Programme Manager
The Teagasc Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef programme finished its second year on December 31, 2020.
Profitability has improved across most of the programme farms for 2020 with an average net profit of €455/ha recorded. No subsidies of any description are included in the figures quoted.
There is big variation in the level of profit between these 12 farms with the highest level of profit being €1,140/ha and the lowest being €18/ha.
The average grassland stocking rate across all the farms was 2.31 LU/ha while a gross output of 1,284 kg of live weight per hectare was achieved.