Minister McConalogue announces seminar on Dairy Calf to Beef and launch of consultation on Action Plan
- Published on: 17 January 2024
- Last updated on: 9 May 2024
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced that a high-level seminar will be held this Thursday 18 January focused on highlighting the potential of Dairy Calf to beef systems as an option for farmers. The event will be held in Portlaoise and organised with Teagasc, ICBF and Bord Bia, is part of the implementation of the actions agreed by stakeholders in Food Vision 2030 to develop and support dairy beef systems.
The seminar, aimed at key stakeholders in the beef and dairy sectors, will be opened by Minister McConalogue. It will also see the launch of a consultation on a draft Action Plan to support dairy calf beef systems on farms.
Minister McConalogue said:
“This seminar is a collaborative effort between my department, Teagasc, Bord Bia and ICBF. We are coming together with stakeholders to discuss progress to date on developing dairy calf to beef systems and to collaborate further in making dairy calf to beef systems a profitable and sustainable option for farmers. It is important that the potential of these systems is fully understood in advance of the upcoming breeding season.”
The seminar will include two panel discussions, featuring farmers on actions at farm level, and agencies and industry representatives on what they can do to assist farmers in this area. It will conclude with the launch of a consultation on a draft Action Plan on supporting Dairy Calf to Beef systems in Ireland.
Minister McConalogue continued:
“I remain very committed to the suckler beef sector, as can be seen by the provision of additional funding through Budget 2024 targeted at the sector in addition to the substantial supports already in place through the CSP. This initiative is designed to sit alongside that support in ensuring that livestock farmers have as many options as possible, and continue to develop in a sustainable manner. It can and should work for both dairy and beef sectors and we’re keen to hear the views of both. Stakeholders should ensure that their views are represented through active participation in the seminar and the consultation process.”
Professor Frank O Mara, Teagasc Director, said:
“Greater integration between dairy and beef farmers to further develop successful dairy calf to beef systems is needed. This ten point action plan, being prepared in consultation with the dairy and beef sectors, will emphasise the importance of dairy farmers breeding better quality stock, through the use of sexed semen and the dairy beef index (DBI), and beef farmers sourcing calves based on the Commercial Beef Value (CBV). Our Calf Care events, currently taking place with AHI, Dairy processors and DairyBeef 500, are highlighting the need for adequate colostrum to be received by all calves born on farms, to ensure healthy stock for further rearing.”
Notes
The programe for the event is as follows:
| Time | Item |
| 14:30 | Welcome Address: Liam Herlihy, Chair of the Teagasc Authority |
| 14:35 | Ministerial Address: Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
| 14:50 | Key Technologies to deliver high profit sustainable Dairy Beef production: Nicky Byrne, Researcher, Teagasc |
| 15:10 | Panel Discussion 1: Delivering Dairy Calf to Beef at Farm Level |
| Moderator: Professor Karina Pierce, UCD | |
| Nicky Byrne, Researcher, Teagasc | |
| Tom Fennelly, Dairy Farmer | |
| Aidan Maguire, Dairy Beef Farmer | |
| James O Sullivan, Dairy Beef Farmer | |
| 15:35 | Panel Discussion 2: Support for Dairy Beef |
| Moderator: Professor Karina Pierce, UCD | |
| Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc | |
| Dr Margaret Kelleher, Quantitative Geneticist, ICBF | |
| Mr Jim O’Toole, CEO OF Bord Bia; | |
| Dr Doreen Corridan, CEO of the National Cattle Breeding Centre Limited | |
| Mr Philip Carroll, Chairman of Meat Industry Ireland | |
| Mr Pat Sheahan, Chair of Dairy Industry Ireland | |
| 16:25 | Closing: Brendan Gleeson, Secretary General, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine |