Beef

What is the basis of beef production in Ireland?

Beef production in Ireland is a grass-based system.

How long do less intensive beef production systems take to finish a calf?

2 years or more.

What is required to achieve target weights in beef production?

Good grassland and moderate levels of concentrates.

Name British beef breeds.

Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn.

Name Continental beef breeds.

Belgian Blue, Charolais, Limousin, Simmental.

List different types of beef production systems in Ireland.

Calf to beef in 2 years, Suckler herd, Bull beef production, Heifer beef production, Culled cow finishing, Several types of store beef cattle to finishing systems

What characterizes British beef breeds?

Early maturing; they start putting down fat at lower live weights than continental breeds.

Characteristics of Aberdeen Angus?

Naturally polled, Easy calving, Used as sire in both dairy and beef, Early maturing breed

Characteristics of Hereford?

'Whitehead', Good conformation, Early maturing, Easy calving, Commonly used as beef sire on dairy and suckler herd

Characteristics of Shorthorn?

High fertility, Good mothering ability

What characterizes Continental beef breeds like Charolais, Limousin, and Simmental?

Later maturing, high growth rates, larger size, finish at higher live weights without laying down fat.

Characteristics of Belgian Blue?

Double muscled (mutation in myostatin gene), High percentage of lean meat on carcass, Calving difficulties

Characteristics of Charolais?

Fast growth rate, Good conformation, Calving difficulties

Characteristics of Limousin?

High muscle to bone ratio, Good conformation, High fertility, Easy calving

Characteristics of Simmental?

Dual-purpose breed (used for both dairy and beef), Popular for suckler herds

What is conformation in beef production?

Refers to the shape of the animal; important for EUROP classification.

How do beef and dairy breeds differ in conformation?

Beef breeds have better conformation and achieve better grades upon slaughter.

Approximate finishing weight for beef production?

500 - 700kg

What does the EU Beef Classification Scheme grade?

Conformation, fat, and sex.

What are the 5 conformation classes?

E, U, R, O, P (E = best, P = worst)

What are the fat classes?

1 - 5 (1 = least fat, 5 = most fat), with 4 divided into 4L (Low) and 4H (High)

What is the ideal fat class?

3

What are the sex classes?

A = young bull, B = stock bull, C = steer, D = cow, E = heifer

What is the main source of steers for the calf to beef system?

The dairy herd.

What effect does using dairy calves have on conformation and carcass quality?

It negatively affects both.

Why is there a large number of surplus purebred dairy male calves?

Due to expansion in dairy herds after the abolition of milk quotas in 2015.

What were milk quotas?

Limits attached to land holdings that capped how much milk a farmer could sell yearly without paying a levy.

What is a major risk in the dairy calf to beef system?

High risk of buying in disease.

What are the most popular breeds in suckler herds?

Limousin, Charolais, Simmental.

How does the ADG of calves in suckler systems compare to dairy calf to beef?

Suckler system calves have a higher ADG.

What contributes to higher ADG in suckler systems?

Calves consume milk directly from the suckler dam.

What calving system do suckler herds typically operate?

Spring-calving system.

Why is spring-calving used in suckler herds?

To maximize utilization of grass during grazing season.

What is reproductive efficiency?

Number of calves weaned per 100 cows served.

Example: If 81 calves are weaned from 100 cows served, what's the reproductive efficiency?

81%

How can reproductive efficiency be improved?

Use easy calving bulls, Ensure correct BCS at mating (2.5-3.0) and calving down (3.25-3.5), Control fertility diseases (BVD, leptospirosis), Manage feeding levels before and after calving

What are the common breeds in suckler systems?

Continental breeds (Limousin, Charolais, Simmental), Aberdeen Angus, Herefords.

What breeds dominate dairy calf to beef systems?

Purebred dairy steers (e.g. Friesian), crosses with early maturing beef breeds.

How does kill out percentage compare between dairy and suckler systems?

Beef breeds (suckler) have higher kill out % than dairy breeds.

What influences progeny conformation and carcass weight?

Sires used in breeding.

What feeding system do suckler calves experience initially?

They suckle the dam until weaning at 7-10 months.

Why is spring-born calving preferred in suckler systems?

Maximizes use of grass.

How are calves grazed in both systems?

Rotational grazing using paddock or strip systems.

What are calves in dairy calf to beef systems fed initially?

Milk replacer, hay, concentrates, clean water.

How should dietary changes be handled?

Gradually, to prevent digestive upset or scour.

What grazing practice benefits selective calves?

Creep grazing through creep gates.

When are calves usually weaned?

Autumn of their first year.

What should weanlings be fed in their first winter?

Good-quality silage + 1-2 kg of concentrates.

What happens to yearlings in spring?

Turned out to grass and rotationally grazed.

What is their second winter diet?

High-quality silage + 5-6 kg of concentrates/day.

What's needed to achieve finishing weight in 24 months?

Adhering to target weights and excellent grassland management.

What type of housing is used in both systems?

Slatted housing, calving sheds.

What are housing requirements?

Good stocking density, adequate ventilation, cleanliness.

What management practices are essential?

Parasite management, Good grassland management, Reproduction management (e.g. heat detection)

When should animals reach finishing weight?

At 24 months.

What does ADG stand for?

Average Daily Gain.

What is the target ADG for weanlings during winter housing?

0.6 kg/day.

What total weight gain is targeted during winter housing for weanlings?

80 kg.

What is the required feed to achieve this ADG?

Good-quality silage (72%+ DMD) + 1-2 kg concentrates/day.

What is the compensatory growth effect?

When grass supply naturally increases in summer, leading to increased weight gain.

What is the store period in beef production?

A period of restricted feeding during winter housing due to a change from high to low nutritional feed.

What is the result of the store period on animals?

Decrease in live weight gain (LWG).

What is the target average daily gain during the store period?

0.6 kg/day.

What is the purpose of the €uro-Star Index in beef production?

To identify and select the most profitable animals for breeding.

What are the two divisions of the €uro-Star Index?

Replacement Index, Terminal Index.

What is the Replacement Index used for?

To select bulls to breed replacement heifers.

What is the Terminal Index used for?

To breed beef animals for slaughter.

How can the genetic merit of a herd be improved?

By using purebred bulls.

What factors contribute to low farm incomes for beef-rearing farmers?

Volatility of beef prices, High land and labour costs, Low stocking rates, Small farm sizes, Other costs

What are beef-rearing farmers highly reliant on?

Direct payments from the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) budget.

What are the unique qualities of Irish beef produced on a grass-based system?

Unique colour (more yellow), Better flavour, Additional health benefits from fatty acid composition

What practices help improve farm sustainability?

Extending the grazing season, Reducing the age of suckler heifer at first calving, Reducing carbon footprint, Participating in agri-environment schemes (e.g. GLAS), Improving water conservation, Including clover swards to reduce nitrogen application