The 2026 AgriSearch Beef Conference titled: ‘Beefing Up Performance – Driving Productivity and Profitability’ kicked off this morning (Tuesday, January 27) at the Seagoe Hotel, Portadown, Co. Armagh.
Sponsored by ABP, Dunbia and Foyle Food Group, the full-day conference is aimed at beef farmers and industry stakeholders across the Northern Ireland beef industry.
According to the organisers, the focus of the event is on “practical ways to improve on-farm performance, efficiency and long-term profitability across a range of beef systems”.
The conference sees industry specialists and progressive beef farmers with proven experience in driving productivity across a range of beef systems come together for the day.
The topics to be covered on the day include:
- Beef market outlooks;
- Genetics;
- Animal health;
- Forage and nutrition.
The aim of the presentations on the day is to deliver “a clear emphasis on delivering actionable insights for farm businesses”, according to the organisers.
The first speaker was Phelim O’Neill, who addressed global trends in the beef markets in terms of opportunities and threats.
A native of Co. Tyrone, O’Neill previously served as chief executive of the Northern Ireland Meat Traders and Exporters Association (NIMEA), and in a senior role with the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).
The next speaker was Duncan Morrison of Meikle Maldron Farm, Aberdeenshire, who discussed how genetics can be used to drive on‑farm performance.
Morrison manages a 260‑cow herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus and Stabiliser cattle and is recognised for his low‑input, forage‑based system that uses data‑driven breeding decisions to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Mairead O’Grady, member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) spoke on ‘Optimising animal health to drive performance and profitability’.
With over a decade of veterinary experience and formerly ruminant veterinary manager with MSD Animal Health, O’Grady specialises in preventative herd health planning, focusing on disease control, calf health, and improving animal welfare to support sustainable farm productivity.
The morning session concluded with a panel discussion, allowing delegates to engage directly with speakers and explore practical applications of the topics discussed.
AgriSearch conference afternoon session
The first speaker after lunch is Wesley Brown, who farms in Co. Monaghan.
The farm has 58.39ha of grassland in four blocks. Soil type is heavy drumlin, which is typical of the area.
Brown runs a spring-calving suckler herd and all male progeny are finished as Under-16-month bulls.
The suitable high-index females are retained or sold to repeat customers for breeding, with all other heifers slaughtered at 23-24 months-of-age.
The farm is split into approximately 45 grazing divisions using a combination of permanent and temporary electric fencing and good water access, which facilitates grazing 3-4 grazing groups.
Brown is measuring grass and using PastureBase Ireland (PBI). He will be speaking on optimising the use of forages to drive productivity and profitability.
The final conference speaker is Andrew Laughton, who will speak on optimising nutrition to drive productivity and profitability.
Laughton is a leading fourth-generation beef farmer based at Southfield Farm in Louth, Lincolnshire. He is recognised for pioneering a high-efficiency outdoor finishing system that prioritises animal health and welfare.
His operation finishes approximately 6,000 cattle annually using an innovative outdoor corral system on straw-bedded yards.
This method significantly reduces health issues like pneumonia while maintaining low antibiotic use.
Beyond the farm, Laughton is a key industry voice. He has served as chair and board member for the National Beef Association (NBA) and collaborates extensively with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Nottingham University on sustainable beef research.
The afternoon session of the AgriSearch conference will conclude with a panel discussion.
Prof. Gerry Boyle, chair of AgriSearch, said: “With increasing cost pressures and ongoing market uncertainty, improving on‑farm performance is more important than ever.
“This conference brings together leading expertise and real‑world experience to provide beef farmers with practical guidance they can apply directly within their own systems.”
