Teagasc outlines costs for dairy beef runner system
Teagasc has released a detailed budget guide for raising dairy beef runners to finishing weights, emphasising cost control and performance. Specialist David Argue advises farmers to closely monitor weight targets and assess their own system costs to improve profitability.
Source:
Teagasc Agricultural News
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⏱️ 1 min read
Teagasc has recently published a Dairy Beef Runner System budget, providing farmers with a clear financial framework for rearing early maturing runners to either a 23-month steer or a 19–20 month heifer. Starting from liveweights of 220kg for steers and 210kg for heifers, the budget outlines winter feeding, grazing, and finishing costs alongside expected liveweight gain targets throughout the production cycle.
In a recent Beef Edge podcast episode with host Catherine Egan, Teagasc Cattle Specialist David Argue emphasised the significance of controlling costs and maximising grass utilisation. He highlighted the importance of purchasing animals at the correct weight for their age, noting that calves weighing around 180kg may already be behind due to health or management issues, which can lead to increased costs and lighter carcasses at slaughter.
David Argue encouraged farmers to use the Teagasc Beef Budgets as national guidelines and to carefully evaluate their own production expenses, ideally in consultation with a Teagasc advisor. Reviewing past performance, including daily weight gains, slaughter timing, and herd health, is vital to identifying improvements. These budgets also provide breakeven selling prices that account for all variable and fixed costs, helping farmers make informed purchasing and management decisions.
In a recent Beef Edge podcast episode with host Catherine Egan, Teagasc Cattle Specialist David Argue emphasised the significance of controlling costs and maximising grass utilisation. He highlighted the importance of purchasing animals at the correct weight for their age, noting that calves weighing around 180kg may already be behind due to health or management issues, which can lead to increased costs and lighter carcasses at slaughter.
David Argue encouraged farmers to use the Teagasc Beef Budgets as national guidelines and to carefully evaluate their own production expenses, ideally in consultation with a Teagasc advisor. Reviewing past performance, including daily weight gains, slaughter timing, and herd health, is vital to identifying improvements. These budgets also provide breakeven selling prices that account for all variable and fixed costs, helping farmers make informed purchasing and management decisions.
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