Key facts
- Agriland and Teagasc DairyBeef 500 will publish a two-part series on calf management.
- The series will cover transitioning weaned calves to grass and maintaining performance during the first grazing season.
- Achieving up to 0.9kg per day in average daily gains at pasture is highlighted as achievable with good management.
- Efficient conversion of grazed grass into liveweight gain is central to profitability and sustainability.
- The series will draw on experiences from DairyBeef500 programme farmers and practical demonstrations.
Agriland, in collaboration with the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 team, is set to release a two-part feature series accompanied by on-farm videos focused on enhancing calf performance. The series, titled 'Managing your Calves at Grass – A DairyBeef 500 Summer Series,' will delve into critical management practices for dairy calf-to-beef production systems. The first article will guide readers through the successful transition of weaned dairy-beef calves from milk replacer and concentrates to a predominantly grass-based diet, emphasizing the long-term implications of this crucial developmental stage. The second article will concentrate on sustaining calf performance throughout the initial grazing season, noting that gains of up to 0.9kg per day are achievable with effective management and proper rumen development. The series aims to underscore the importance of good weaning management, successful transition to grass, effective grazing strategies, and overall animal husbandry in achieving high-performing, profitable, and sustainable animals. The content is informed by the experiences of farmers within the DairyBeef500 programme and practical demonstrations. Additionally, AHI Calf Care farm walk events focusing on grassland management and calf performance are scheduled for June 9, 10, and 11.