Is beef farming profitable in Ireland?
Looking at the top 25% of beef farmers surveyed, they made an average profit of €251/ha (€807/ha when other farm income is counted). This is primarily explained by an above-average gross output (€1,357/ha before costs, compared to an average of €978/ha before costs across all beef farmers surveyed).
How much do beef farmers make in Ireland?
Average income: €14,813 (+8%) In the “cattle other” system, which comprises mainly beef finishing farms, but also includes farms selling store cattle, production costs fell in 2020. In combination, this resulted in an average income of €14,813 in 2020 for the cattle other system, an increase of 8% on the 2019 level.
How many beef farmers are in Ireland?
Ireland’s livestock sector plays a key role in the national economy, with over 100,000 farms involved in cattle production. From a supply base of approximately 1 million beef suckler cows and 1.3 million dairy cows, the industry produces over 550,000 tonnes of beef annually, of which almost 90% is exported.
How many cows can you have per acre in Ireland?
The target for most dairy farmers in future will be 2.5 cows per ha (1 cow/ac). For efficient milk production, this stocking rate requires grass production of around 14 tonnes of dry matter per hectare which is 40% higher than the average production on Irish dairy farms at present.
How many beef cattle do I need to make a living?
As a very rough estimate, anecdotal evidence suggests that around 70 dairy cattle or 150 beef cattle is enough to earn a full-time living from farming, although many farmers have several income streams and are not solely reliant on cows.
Is there money in beef cattle?
Making money with cattle is hard, but it’s possible and it’s possible to do it consistently. Several analysts are suggesting that the cow herd will continue to increase slowly for another two to three years. This could be accompanied by an even greater growth in the amount of beef produced.
What is the most profitable farming in Ireland?
Dairying has traditionally been Ireland’s most profitable farming enterprise. Through Teagasc research, advisory and education services, Irish dairy farmers are competitive globally.
What is the most profitable type of farming in Ireland?
Dairy farming is by some way the most profitable agricultural activity in the State with average incomes hitting a record €86,115 last year on foot of a strong upturn in dairy prices globally.
How many cows are in Ireland 2021?
Size of national cattle herd falls for third consecutive year 19 February 2021 Free. A 2% increase in dairy cow numbers to 1.45m head was more than offset by a 4% decline in the number of beef cows in Ireland to just 923,000 head.
How big is the beef industry in Ireland?
Beef production from grass is one of Irish farming’s biggest sectors, accounting for approximately 30% of of the value of Irish agricultural output at producer prices ( Teagasc, 2016 ). There are an estimated 940,000 suckler beef cattle in Ireland kept on just under 80,000 farms.
How many farms have suckler cows in Ireland?
In 2010 there were over 79,000 farms with suckler cows according to the Census of Agriculture, and over 90,000 farms had beef cattle on their farm. The beef output of Irish farming provides the key input to the Irish meat processing industry. In 2014 the Irish meat processing employed over 13,000 people.
What kind of cows are used in Ireland?
The cows are bred to terminal beef sires selected for their carcase growth rate and conformation. The most popular breeds used in the beef cow herd are Charolais, followed by Limousin, Angus, Belgian Blue and Hereford. Charolais cattle are the most popular beef breed in Ireland – (www.icbf.com).
Where does Irish beef go in the EU?
Within the EU roughly half of Irish beef exports are shipped to the UK with other exports destined for continental EU markets. Live exports of cattle continue to provide an important outlet for Irish cattle farmers.