Special regional conferences to help beef farmers face the challenge of preparing their animals for slaughter at under 30 months are to be held around the country from Tuesday next.
The initiative has been taken by Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority.
Mr Bernard Smyth of Teagasc, said all the best consumer markets were demanding beef from animals under 30 months and a number were specifying cattle be under 24 months when slaughtered.
The conferences will be held in Tullamore, Midleton, Loughrea, Enniscorthy, Navan, Nenagh and Letterkenny.