Teagasc launches Future Beef Program
The program aims to improve profitability, as well as overall sustainabilityIn an announcement last week, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue launched the Teagasc Future Beef Program. The program, which was launched on a farm in County Leitrim, aims to demonstrate to beef farmers how they can produce a quality product as efficiently as possible. The aim is to make Irish beef farming more profitable, and environmentally and socially sustainable.
Some 24 farms are part of the project, most of which are based around suckler beef production. It is supported through Meat Industry Ireland and 10 meat processing companies.
“I am delighted to see this new Teagasc Future Beef Programme come to fruition," said McConalogue. "Such initiatives that put profitability as well as technical efficiencies improvements at its core is crucial to ensure that we continue to have a vibrant beef sector."
"Adopting new technologies and enhancing existing farming practices will help to build more resilient and sustainable suckler beef production systems for the years ahead," he added.
“Meat Industry Ireland members are delighted to support this important initiative, both financially and through close collaboration with Teagasc and the Signpost Future Beef farmers," said Joe Ryan of Meat Industry Ireland. "While Ireland is already a world-leader in sustainable grass-fed beef and lamb production, the sector acknowledges that it must continue to improve its sustainability credentials and be part of climate change solutions."
Ryan believes the program will demonstrate that the widespread adoption of measures such as animal breeding, animal health, grass management, earlier finishing and other technologies will help the sector reduce emissions and further underpin sustainability.