Profitability and efficiency have to be the key principles of suckler farming

Over 2,000 farmers gathered last week at Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm in Athenry, for an open day showcasing the achievements and learnings of the farm’s first full year of operations.

The farm’s breeding policy is geared to successfully producing calves which gain weight rapidly and will deliver carcass sizes that meet market requirements.

Cow type at Newford differs from the norm, comprising mainly first-cross Aberdeen Angus cows, bred from the dairy herd for their excellent milk yield potential off grass, thereby minimising the need for use of bought-in concentrates.

This year’s crop of 90 calves is on track to reach 50% of their mother’s weight within six months, with performance helped by the recent improved weather and a surge in grass growth at the farm.

Farm manager, Matthew Murphy, said that the Newford system was all about driving efficiency and reducing reliance on factors farmers cannot control, like the price of bought-in feed.

“We are encouraging farmers to focus on the profitability and efficiency of their farm system rather than showcasing what might be a very good looking animal, but one that isn’t what the market is looking for and cannot be reproduced consistently,” he said.

The 56 hectare (138 acres) farm was established by Dawn Meats and Teagasc in 2015, with support from McDonalds and the Irish Farmers Journal, to demonstrate best practice in sustainable suckler beef production.

Newford has ambitious targets to improve profitability of the herd of 100 cattle over a five year plan. Key targets include:

■ Improved profitability: Increase gross margin by over 130% in 5 years, from €495/ha in 2015 to €1,170/ha in 2020. This is more than double the €532/ha average for suckler farms according to the Teagasc eProfit monitor survey in 2014.

■ Reduce variable costs: Newford aims to reduce variable costs as a percentage of total output from 74% in 2015 to 45% in 2020

■ Ambitious weight gain: Increase carcass weights of heifers from 280kg in 2015 to 330kg in 2020, and from 295kg to 365kg for steers

■↓Maximise grazing: Targeting over 200 days on grass based on a high stocking rate of 2.7 livestock units per hectare

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.