The Dawn Meats Group is currently investing in a dairy beef production project adapting the latest most up-to-date information on production efficiencies with Teagasc to develop and demonstrate profitable opportunities for dairy bred male calves by taking them through to slaughter in their second year. 

Dawn and Teagasc have previously collaborated on numerous projects including the original Dawn Teagasc Beef Partnership Scheme which was the forerunner to the current Better Farm Beef Programme in which Dawn are involved with other stakeholders.  Dawn are determined to make their Dairy Beef Club deliver by marrying their marketing capability with production systems already developed by Teagasc on their beef and dairy units around the country.

In announcing the scheme Paul Nolan – Group Development Manager with Dawn Meats said that the motivation for this project has come from evidence that the current marketing channels being used by dairy farmers for their bull calves are loss making whilst better marketing outlets are possible.  He went on to say that a number of demonstration units are already being progressed in Johnstown Castle and on farms in the South, South East and West with the first animals expected to be ready for slaughter in late 2011.

The project involves collecting 2 week old bull calves and delivering them to specialised rearing units that will be given a menu of feeding regimes for the production of suitable bull beef from 15 – 21 months of age.  A series of open days are planned at these units for later this year and new members will be welcome for 2011.

March 23, 2010.

Click HERE for article in Irish Farmers Journal 27th March 2010