The dairy calf-to-beef system at the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm in Ballyvadin, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, continues to demonstrate how targeted breeding decisions, high-quality calves, and strong management can deliver consistent improvements in performance and profitability.
Operated as part of a joint venture between Shinagh Estates Ltd. and Dawn Meats, with Teagasc providing research and advisory support, the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm has evolved its approach in recent years. A growing emphasis on Commercial Beef Value (CBV), alongside the use of high-DBI sires, is driving measurable gains in carcass weight and overall performance.
In the video below, Chloe Millar (Teagasc), Jack Spillane (Farm Manager) and Matthew Murphy (Dawn Meats) outline how this dairy calf-to-beef system is delivering results in practice.
Expanding the Dairy Calf to Beef System
The Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm continues to expand, with calf numbers increasing from 381 calves in 2025 to 420 calves in 2026.
Calves are sourced from nine dairy farmers, all of whom have built strong relationships with the farm over a number of years. This consistency allows for better alignment on breeding strategy and ensures a steady supply of high-quality calves into the system.
Check out our recent article on Barryroe Dairy Farmer, Dermot Walsh, who supplies calves to the demo farm. Click here.
Breeding Strategy Focused on DBI and CBV
A key development in the system has been a shift towards a more flexible, criteria-based breeding approach.
In previous years, specific bulls were selected and calves purchased based on those sires. However, for the 2026 season, farmers supplying the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm were instead provided with clear breeding guidelines, including:
- Use of high DBI (Dairy Beef Index) sires
- A spread across different breeds and bull types
- Inclusion of 20% Gene Ireland Dairy Beef sires
This approach gives farmers greater flexibility, while still ensuring calves meet the requirements of a high-performing dairy beef system.
Using CBV to Incentivise High-Quality Dairy Beef Calves
A central feature of the system at the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm is the use of Commercial Beef Value (CBV) as part of the calf pricing structure.
Calves are priced based on:
- Gender
- Weight at arrival
- CBV
By linking payment directly to CBV, the farm is encouraging dairy farmers to use better beef genetics and produce calves with stronger potential for carcass weight, conformation and profitability.
The impact of this approach is clear. The 2025-born calves at the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm averaged €187, compared to a national average of approximately €153, demonstrating the financial benefit of breeding for higher CBV.
Dairy Calf to Beef Rearing System from Arrival to Finish
Once calves arrive at the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm, they enter a structured dairy calf to beef rearing system designed to maximise efficiency and performance.
Farm Manager Jack Spillane, who has overseen the farm for the past three years, manages calves through to beef at approximately 20 to 21 months of age.
Performance targets include:
- Heifers: 280kg+ carcass weight
- Bulls: ~315kg carcass weight
Calves are collected weekly, typically from West Cork, and are weighed on arrival, with payment linked directly to weight.
Early Life Performance and Calf Rearing Management
Strong early life performance is a key focus within the system.
Calves are weaned at approximately 90kg, having consumed:
- Around 35kg of milk replacer
- Approximately 1.5kg of ration per day, along with straw
Following weaning, calves are turned out to grass at 14 weeks of age, with concentrate feeding gradually reduced over a six-week period. This supports a smooth transition to a grass-based system.
Grazing, Wintering and Finishing in the Dairy Beef System
The Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm is designed to maximise the use of grass while maintaining efficient finishing performance.
Key system features include:
- A 60 to 90-day wintering period
- Turnout in early spring (late February to mid-March)
- Heifers finished at 19 to 20 months
- Bulls finished at 20 to 21 months
- All cattle finished before 24 months
Approximately:
- Two-thirds are finished indoors
- One-third of cattle are finished at grass
Improved Carcass Performance Linked to CBV
According to Matthew Murphy of Dawn Meats, improvements in breeding and management within this dairy calf to beef system are clearly reflected in carcass performance.
In 2023:
- Heifers averaged 254kg carcass weight
By 2025:
- Heifers increased to 271–272kg
- Conformation improved from O= to O+
These improvements demonstrate the combined impact of genetics, management and system design.
CBV Driving Performance in Dairy Beef Systems
CBV continues to play a key role in improving performance at the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm:
- 2024-born animals averaged €163 CBV
- 2025-born animals increased to €187 CBV
Research shows that for every €20 increase in CBV, there is:
- A 6–7kg increase in carcass weight
- A 0.25 improvement in conformation score
The performance achieved at the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm highlights how CBV can drive real on-farm gains.
See the System in Action
In the video below, Chloe Millar, Jack Spillane and Matthew Murphy share their experience of the Ballyvadin system and explain how breeding, calf quality and farm management come together to deliver strong, repeatable results.
👉 Watch the video to learn how CBV is working in practice on the Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm.