Beef and lamb efficiency sets the theme of two webinars set to be held by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), in partnership with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), and the Livestock and Meat Commission Northern Ireland (LMCNI).
Other key industry stakeholders will be present at the two webinars set to be held on December 3 and December 10.
Market data suggests that the outlook for beef and lamb prices remains positive for the months ahead.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has said that by making small improvements on farm efficiencies, that there is potential to increase margins and sustainability.
The first webinar, focusing on efficient beef production on Tuesday, December 3 will hear from suckler farmer Declan Rafferty from Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone.
Rafferty will outline the steps he has taken to improve the productivity of his 50 cow suckler herd and dairy beef enterprise, emphasising how good grassland and forage management has helped to reduce the age at which he is able to finish his beef cattle.
The second webinar, focusing on efficient lamb production will be held on Tuesday, December 10, featuring Mark Davidson a sheep farmer from Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.
Davidson manages a flock of 300 lowland ewes and has improved ewe efficiency and lamb growth rates through good grassland management with a strong focus on animal health.
Both webinars will be chaired by UFU deputy president, Glenn Cuddy, and will include market updates from LMCNI. The other speakers each night will be Michael Calvert and Dr. Eileen McCloskey from CAFRE.
Calvert will discuss efficiency measures highlighted from benchmarking with a focus on the traits that have the biggest impact on profitability and sustainability.
Dr. McCloskey will cover key actions that have been taken to improve efficiency across the CAFRE beef and sheep farms.
Both webinars will commence at 7:30p.m and are free to attend through registrations on the UFU’s website.
