16 February 2012

2 minute read

Europe

The Beef Technology Adoption Programme is based on a discussion group model, incentivising farmers to participate in groups to increase the output and profitability of their beef enterprises.

Speaking in Kilkenny at the launch, Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle said: “The Beef Technology Adoption Programme contains all the vital elements of a successful beef business, built around grassland, breeding, animal health, financial measurement and producing beef for market specifications. In delivering this programme, up to 100 Teagasc advisers will be facilitating farmer discussion groups right around the country with up to 5,000 farmers expected to participate. Through the discussion groups, Teagasc advisers will be working with farmers, using the Teagasc Profit Monitor tool to measure the performance on farms and develop plans to successfully grow their businesses.

Professor Boyle said that the physical and financial performance on both the Derrypatrick beef herd in Teagasc Grange and on the commercial farms participating in the Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER Farm Beef Programme, are encouraging. The 2011 Teagasc Profit Monitor result for the Derrypatrick herd shows a gross margin of €1,107 per hectare, achieved through higher beef output per hectare.

The Minister said that he had made €5 million available in the 2012 estimate for a Beef Technology Adoption Programme, and that subject to funding, his intention was to run the programme over three years.

"The beef sector is a critically important part of the social, economic and cultural fabric of Ireland. It is employment rich, and export focussed, and can play an important role in Ireland's economic recovery," he said.

TheCattleSite News Desk