Beef Production Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the average size of a suckler farm?
27.5 ha
What is the average beef herd size?
18 cows
When do most suckler and dairy-beef calvings occur in Ireland?
70% occur between January and May – mostly spring calving.
How much of Irish livestock feed is grass-based?
60–80% of the diet comes from grass.
What are the 5 key stages of the Irish beef supply chain?
Farm inputs
Production (farming)
Processing & packaging
Branding, marketing & distribution
Sales & retail
How much do specialist cattle farms spend annually on inputs?
€1.6–2 billion.
What does it mean that 3 companies control 60% of the beef kill in Ireland?
The beef sector is highly concentrated—dominated by AIBP, Dawn, and Kepak.
What is the issue with overcapacity in Irish beef processing?
Only 60% of processing capacity is used, increasing costs by 12–15% and hurting profits.
How much beef does Ireland produce annually?
560,000–580,000 tonnes
What is the value of Irish beef exports?
2.5 billion euro
How self-sufficient is Ireland in beef production?
700% – produces far more than it consumes, so must export.
What is carbon leakage in the context of Irish beef production?
When Ireland cuts beef output, but less carbon-efficient countries increase theirs to meet demand—global emissions rise instead of fall.
Who is the main market for irish beef exports?
United Kingdom
Who is the largest beef exporter in the Northern hemisphere?
Ireland
Where is Irelands ranking in the EU carbon footprint?
Fifth lowest carbon footprint of beef in EU
Where is the EU in the ranking of beef production?
EU is the world’s third largest producer of beef.
What region is the key destination for global beef trade?
Asia, accounting for 45–50% of global beef trade
What is the average Suckler herd size?
15 cows
How long do calf suckle cows?
6-8 months
What are the three main aims in a suckler system?
365 day calving interval
90% cows calve in 10 weeks
less than 5% culled for infertility.
What is the gestation length in cows?
285-290 days
What are the oestrous cycles in beef cows?
60 days
What are the oestrous cycles in dairy cows?
30 days
In spring calving herds, when are animals turned out?
Mid April
