FutureBeef Webinar: Maximising Output on the Suckler Farm

Why It Matters

Achieving a 365‑day calving interval and optimal cow condition directly boosts herd profitability, reduces labor, and supports sustainability targets for beef producers.

Key Takeaways

• Target 365‑day calving interval to boost profitability and reduce costs.
• Maintain BCS 3 at calving, 3.5 at weaning, ≥2.5 at breeding.
• Selenium supplementation prevents calf mortality and improves herd health.
• Early spring grass provides 25‑30% more energy than winter silage.
• Restricted suckling for two weeks accelerates cow cycling, achieving 80% conception.

Summary

The FutureBeef webinar opened with an overview of the Suckler Demonstration Farm program, a collaborative effort among 23 commercial beef farms and ten meat processors aimed at improving farm profitability while reducing environmental impact. Host Ashley Mallaloy framed the session around "planning for profit," emphasizing the critical role of getting cows back in calf quickly to maximise output. Key insights included the financial advantage of a 365‑day calving interval, which can save over €3,200 per 20‑cow herd compared with the national 400‑day average. Participants discussed precise body‑condition‑score (BCS) targets—around 3 at calving, 3.5 at weaning and a minimum of 2.5 at breeding—to ensure cows have sufficient energy reserves. The webinar highlighted a selenium deficiency identified on Rory Gummans’ farm and the successful supplementation that halted calf losses, as well as the superior energy content of early spring grass (25‑30% higher than winter silage) for meeting lactation demands. Notable remarks came from Dr Frank, who called the 365‑day interval “a critical driver of profitability,” and from Dr Alan Kelly, who stressed that BCS at calving is the single most important predictor of a cow’s ability to cycle. Rory Gummans shared his herd’s 355‑day interval and practical steps such as separating weaker first‑calvers and using restricted suckling for two weeks, a technique that can induce cycling in 80% of cows within that period. The implications are clear: by aligning calving, breeding and grass‑growth windows, suckler farms can increase weaning weights, streamline labour, and achieve measurable cost savings while meeting sustainability goals. Adoption of these evidence‑based practices—BCS monitoring, mineral supplementation, strategic grazing and controlled suckling—offers a roadmap for Irish beef producers to enhance both profitability and environmental stewardship.

Original Description

For the third year running, the Teagasc Future Beef Programme is hosting a series of practical Breeding Webinars for 2026.

The first webinar in the series took place on Tuesday, 24 March and focused on Maximising Output on the Suckler Farm. Webinar chair, Aisling Molloy, FutureBeef Advisor, Teagasc was joined by Alan Kelly, University College Dublin (UCD); Frank O’Sullivan, Veterinary Practitioner; and Ruairí Cummins, Future Beef farmer.

This webinar focused on one of the most important drivers of profitability in suckler systems – maximising output while minimising inputs and labour. A central theme was achieving a calf per cow per year, which remains the foundation of a successful suckler enterprise.

Find out more about the series here https://teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/events/