Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Programme BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEM GUIDELINES BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEM GUIDELINES INTRODUCTION 03 Under 16 Month Bull Beef (Suckler) (High Concentrate) 04 Under 16 Month Bull Beef (Suckler) 06 Under 16 Month Bull Beef (Dairy Calf to Beef) 08 18 - 20 Month Suckler Bull Beef 10 18 -20 Month Bull Beef (Dairy Calf to Beef) 12 19 Month Early Maturing Heifer Beef (Dairy Calf to Beef) 14 20 Month Heifer Beef (Suckler Bred) 16 20 Month Steer Beef (Suckler Bred) 18 23 Month Early Maturing Steer Beef (Dairy Calf to Beef) 20 24 Month Heifer Beef (Suckler) 22 24 Month Steer Beef (Suckler) 24 24 Month Friesian Steer Beef (Dairy Calf to Beef) 26 26 Month Early Maturing Steer Beef (Dairy Calf to Beef) 28 28 Month Steer Beef (Suckler) 30 Although the author and Teagasc have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information in this book was correct at time of going to press, the author and Teagasc do not assume and hereby disclaim and liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Reasonable efforts have also been made to ensure the reliability of websites listed in this publication but inclusion of these cannot be taken as an endorsement of these sites. 2 WWW.TEAGASC.IE BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEM GUIDELINES INTRODUCTION BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEM GUIDELINES Beef farming in Ireland is characterised by many of keeping the suckler cow will depend to large extent on the different beef production systems where cattle are sold length of the grazing season which is heavily influenced by off farms for further finishing on another farm or else land type and weather. Where the winter housing period is are sold direct to slaughter. extended these costs are considerably higher when compared to drier farms with longer grazing seas Our national suckler herd supplies a significant proportion of the cattle slaughtered each year but with an All of the performance data and estimates of inputs and expanding national dairy herd there is an increasing supply outputs outlined for each system is based on data of calves of dairy origin that are being finished as beef. Both generated from Teagasc research in Grange Research Centre early and late maturing beef sires are used on suckler and and Johnstown Castle. It also includes data verified in Teagasc dairy cows which also influences their age at slaughter and research demonstration herds such as the Derrypatrick herd their carcass weights. In recent years, a considerable in Grange. proportion of male beef animals are being finished as bulls Almost 90% of Irish beef production is exported. Exports at varying ages and weights. These systems are very different exceed 500,000 tonnes annually, making Ireland the largest to the traditional steer finishing systems practiced on many net exporter of beef in the EU and fourth largest in the world. farms. Nowadays, over 95% of Irish beef exports are focused on the No one beef production system is the optimum system for higher value consumer markets of the UK and continental finishing beef cattle with each having its own merits and risks. Europe. The vast majority of these exports are in the form of For any beef system to be profitable and sustainable in the boneless primal cuts. After deboning, beef cuts from an long term there are a number guidelines and targets that individual carcase are supplied to several different customers, beef farmers need to be aware of and should work towards according to market demand. Irish beef is supplied to over 85 achieving. It is also important that beef farmers focus on the EU supermarket chains, as well as major manufacturing and areas within their chosen beef system that they can improve foodservice customers, who have specific requirements with on over time instead of moving from one beef system to regard to the type of beef that they buy. With this in mind, another as a reaction to short term changes in the market. production systems need to supply prime beef which meets At the Beef Industry Roundtable Discussions chaired by the the demands of our most important markets. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine one of the key The industry has developed a Quality Payment Scheme (QPS) actions agreed was that Teagasc and Bord Bia would produce which delivers a bonus payment on top of the quoted base a set of guidelines for beef farmers to follow when targeting a price to producers who deliver steers, heifers and young bulls particular beef system. These guidelines were to include best that meet the specifications laid out in table 1 below. It is practice around the management to achieve target daily gains, important to realise that not all the production systems an estimate of the inputs required and the outputs outlined will qualify for the QPS because animals may not achievable, an awareness of the different market meet the age, conformation, fat score or quality assurance requirements that the beef would be sold into and the risks criteria laid down at the time of slaughter. It is also the case involved, if any, associated with each system. where not all processors will pay a QPS on Under 16 month This publication outlines 14 of the most common beef systems bulls so producers should consult with their processor. It is on Irish farms at present. It includes both suckler and dairy advisable if producing animals outside of target market calf to beef systems. As the production of the suckler calf up specifications, producers should be in communication until it is weaned from the cow is quite similar this stage of with their processors. the production cycle is not covered under each system, with These system guidelines have been developed by Teagasc an assumed common weaning weight for male and female cattle specialists and beef researchers in association with calves of 320kg and 290kg liveweight, respectively. Similarly, Bord Bia beef market analysts. the first 10 to 12 weeks rearing phase of the dairy calf is not included with an assumed common weaned calf weight of IRISH PRIME BEEF CARCASE 90-100kg liveweight. Both these phases of production (for the TARGET MARKET SPECIFICATION GUIDELINES suckler calf and the dairy bred calf) are extremely STEER HEIFER YOUNG BULL important and can have a significant influence on the MUST BE QUALITY ASSURED subsequent lifetime performance of an animal. For suckler Age: U30m U30m U16m farmers selling their calves shortly after they are weaned, the Fat Score: 2+to 4= 2+to 4= 2+to 4= profitability of their system is hugely influenced by the weight Conformation: O=or better O=or better O=or better and quality of the calf that they sell due to the very high costs Farm residencies: Max. 4 Max. 4 Max. 4 of keeping the suckler cow for a year and where the majority Days on last 70 days + 70 days + 70 days + of their output is the value of the calf each cow rears. The cost QA farm: WWW.TEAGASC.IE 3 BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEM GUIDELINES UNDER 16 MONTH BULL BEEF (SUCKLER) 1. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION (HIGH CONCENTRATE) • Production of young bulls from the suckler herd which are slaughtered before they reach 16 months of age. • These young bulls are acceptable to customers in the UK market. • They demonstrate high levels of feed conversion efficiency as part of a high output system. 2. TYPICAL LIVEWEIGHTS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF PRODUCTION STAGE OF PRODUCTION LIVEWEIGHT AVERAGE DAILY GAIN (KG) (KG/DAY) Weaning (Start Weight) 320 1.33 Housing 350 1.20 Slaughter 700 1.50 Carcase Weight (kg) 380-420 3. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES • Calves selected for this system should have performed well pre weaning achieving 1.25kg/day or better from birth. • Animals will need to achieve a lifetime gain of around 1.35kg/day from birth to slaughter. • Animals should be from genetically superior sires that demonstrate high growth potential, good conformation and are easy fleshing to achieve an adequate fat cover by slaughter. • On suckler farms finishing their own bulls the system is best suited where the herd is achieving a compact calving over a 10-12 week period. • Calves are introduced to 2-3 kg of concentrates at grass between weaning and housing. Concentrates are built up to average 5kg/day after housing and then on to ad-lib meals for the final 120 day finishing period. • A good herd health programme is required for this intensive system as animals cannot afford any setbacks or store period if they are to achieve the targets set out. • As animals will be housed for 8-9 months in this system good housing facilities will be required with adequate lying space, clean drinking water and good ventilation. 4. INPUTS REQUIRED Concentrates 1.39t DM or 1.6t fresh weight. Silage 0.56t DM or 2.8 t fresh weight. Stocking Rate 8.4 animals/ha at 170kg organic N per ha 4 WWW.TEAGASC.IE BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEM GUIDELINES UNDER 16 MONTH BULL BEEF (SUCKLER) 5. ECONOMICS € a. Weaned Calf Purchase Value 320 kg b. Carcase Value 400 kg c. Sales – Purchases (B –A) Variable Costs per Head* Grass - Concentrates 1.6 tonnes Silage 2.8 tonnes €84 Veterinary - €35 Transport & Levies - €40 d. Total Variable Costs Gross Margin per Head (C – D) ** * Variable costs per head do not include interest or mortality costs. ** Subtract estimated fixed costs per head to calculate net margin per head. 6. MARKET CONSIDERATIONS • In order to meet the desired customer specification young bulls must be less than 16 months of age at slaughter.