An international conference focusing on dairy calf-to-beef production is set to kick off in Co. Wexford this morning (Wednesday, October 16).

The major industry event is being hosted by Teagasc with the support of ABP Food Group and the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS).

The two-day event will see leading industry experts and international scientists from Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Belgium, Denmark and Spain present research related to dairy calf-to-beef production.

Day one of the conference will see Teagasc director prof. Frank O Meara set the scene for the conference in his opening presentation.

Laura Awdry from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will chair the first session which will focus on dairy calf-to-beef production systems.

This session will hear from Teagasc's Dr. Nicky Byrne who will deliver a presentation titled: 'Evolution of Irish dairy-beef production in wake of market and policy change.'

Bob Thompson from New Zealand's AgFirst will discuss the pasture-based dairy beef production systems in New Zealand.

The afternoon session will include a field trip to Johnstown Castle and the ABP Demo Farm in Co. Carlow.

Session two of the conference will focus on calf health and welfare and will hear from a range of speakers from across the globe.

Topics and speakers in this session include:

Bovine respiratory disease management in dairy beef calves. Prof. Bart Pardon, University of Ghent, Belgium;
Parasite control in young cattle. Dr. Dave Leathwick, AgResearch, New Zealand;
Trends in calfhood diseases. Ciara Hayes, Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory;
Calf welfare legislation. Stephanie Ronan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM);
Summer scour syndrome. Dr. John Donlon, Teagasc.

Session three will feature a panel discussion focussed on the vertical integration of the dairy-beef supply chain.

The panelists for this discussion will include:

Kevin Cahill (ABP CEO);
Gavin Hodgson (Sainsbury’s);
Bob Thomson (AGFIRST, New Zealand);
Shane Fitzgerald (dairy farmer, Portlaw);
Laura Awdry (Nuffield Scholar).

Session four will focus on calf nutrition and will be chaired by Dr. Alan Kelly from University College Dublin (UCD).

Dr. Maria Devant, IRTA, Catalonia will discuss calf nutrition with a focus on current feeding challenges from birth to yearling.

Teagasc's prof. David Kenny will discuss the impact of early-life nutrition on lifetime growth and carcass characteristics of dairy-bred beef cattle.

The final speaker of this session will be Dr. Emer Kennedy from Teagasc who will discuss the role of grass in the diet of the growing calf post-weaning.

The final session of the conference will focus on breeding and reproduction and will be chaired by Wexford dairy farmer Michael Doran.

Prof. Stephen Butler from Teagasc will discuss harnessing reproductive technologies to accelerate integration of the dairy and beef sectors.

Niall Kilrane from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) will deliver a presentation titled: 'The Dairy Beef Gene Ireland programme as a driver of the Dairy Beef Index and Commercial Beef Value in the Irish Dairy Beef industry.'

Dr. Jørn Rind Thomasen from Viking Genetics will discuss the experiences and future expectations on breeding schemes targeted beef on dairy.

Dr. David Kenny from Abacus Bio will discuss the potential to increase the rate of gain for Irish beef sires on the dairy beef index.

Prof. Pat Dillon from Teagasc will close the conference.