Setting the scene for the Teagasc National Beef Conference
Crowds The 2023 Conference National Beef At In
The countdown is on to the Teagasc National Beef Conference, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 19, in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.
Reflecting the changing environmental landscape in which farmers play a key role, the theme of this year’s Teagasc National Beef Conference is ‘Sustainable Beef Farming: Pathways to a greener future’.
Announcing details of this year’s conference, Teagasc Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer, Pearse Kelly said: “This year at the National Beef Conference we have focused on providing the latest research and best advice for beef farmers on ways to implement sustainable technologies on beef farms, and how we can take advantage of these drivers globally. We hope that the conference will offer an opportunity for constructive discussion of these issues.
“On the night, attendees will have an opportunity to meet and talk with members of staff from a number of departments in Teagasc and wider health and wellbeing professionals. The conference is free for to all and will be well worth attending.”
Session one will commence at 5pm, when Teagasc Drystock Advisor, Tom Coll will chair a session on ‘Innovating for Efficiency: Smart farming in the Irish beef sector’.
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. 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, and John Donlon, Research Officer at Teagasc Grange will out outline ways to control pneumonia in suckler weanlings.
Following a short interval at which point refreshments will be served, proceedings for session two will commence at 7:15pm, where the theme will be ‘Harnessing Innovation: Future-proofing Irish beef farming’.
This promises to be a very interesting and informative session and will be chaired by Alice Doyle, IFA Deputy President & Member of Teagasc Authority.
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 of Teagasc's Future Beef Programme, will outline Innovations on the participants of Future Beef Suckler Farms, and Shane Pearson, Design Your Life Coaching, will outline ways for farmers to stay resilient on farms through stressful times of the year.
As November 19 is ‘International Men’s Day’, there will also be a focus on the night on farmer health and wellbeing. There will be a number of health professionals with information stands on the night also.
