The average dairy calf to beef farm made a net margin of just over €65/ac or €162/Ha in 2023, according to data in a new Teagasc National Farm Survey Dairy Beef Factsheet.
In 2022, the average net margin on these farms was just over €16/ac or €40/Ha, according to the data.
The performance of the dairy beef enterprises in 2023 is summarised in this factsheet based on data from 47 farms.
The fact sheets have been published for a range of farm enterprise and for the first time, the release includes a Dairy Beef Factsheet.
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The information aims to provide insights into the financial and technical performance of dairy beef enterprises on cattle farms across Ireland, according to Teagasc.
The data behind the Factsheet come from farms participating in the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) and is part of the ten-point action plan to support dairy calf to beef systems in Ireland, according to Teagasc.
The factsheet shows that in 2023, the average dairy calf to beef enterprise achieved a gross margin of €884/Ha.
In 2023, the top one-third performing enterprises achieved a gross margin of €1,496/Ha and a net margin of €649/Ha.
The table below details the financial performance of the top third, middle third and bottom third of dairy calf to beef farm systems:
Welcoming the publication of the Teagasc NFS Dairy Beef Factsheet, Teagasc director, Professor Frank O’Mara said: “The Teagasc NFS Dairy Beef Factsheet is an essential tool for understanding and optimising the dairy beef production system, ensuring its sustainable growth and profitability in the future.”
Factsheets, based on NFS data, for Dairy, Sheep, Cereals and suckler systems are also available as a technical performance indicator for the sectors.
Commenting on the launch of the Dairy Beef Factsheet, Teagasc economist, Dr. Jason Loughrey, said: “The Teagasc NFS Dairy Beef Factsheet provides details on the output value, direct costs, and fixed costs associated with dairy-beef enterprises in Ireland.
“By including both the gross and net margins, the factsheet provides a clear picture of the economic performance of this enterprise.”
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