May 25, 2021 7:00 pm
Calf rearing is all but complete on the farms enrolled in the Teagasc Green Acres Programme. Now is an opportune time to identify and isolate any problems that may have occurred in terms of calf illnesses or mortality.
Too often complicated solutions are entrusted to solve problems; often ignoring the cause and leaving it unresolved going forward.
A lot changes in the world we live in and the past 14 months have been a perfect example of that; but when problems occur, if the required change is not implemented, the problem – more often than not – is likely to reoccur.
By Teagasc Green Acres programme advisor James Fitzgerald
Farming just outside Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Jarlath and Austin Ruane operate a calf-to-beef system rearing spring-born calves, bringing them through to slaughter at 21-30 months-of-age. This system runs alongside a flock of 55 mid-season lambing ewes.
This is their second year of rearing 60 Angus, Holstein Friesian and Limousine spring born calves on an automatic feeder, a change from the more traditional milk feeding methods used in years previous.
Starting at source
The way in which the Ruane’s source their calves has changed since their enrolment in the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme. In past years, Jersey cross calves were sourced directly from dairy farms as well as Angus and Hereford calves sourced from the south of the country, through marts and dealers.
By Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme advisor Seán Cummins
In an era of beef price volatility, maximising animal performance and keeping a firm handle on costs are key to generating a profit in calf to beef systems.
As profitability is a function of sales, less purchases and costs, maximising the performance of every animal is key to optimising profitability.
Notable improvements in livestock performance have been recorded across the Teagasc Green Acres farms. One farmer who has made a number of tweaks and is now beginning to witness increased performance is Richard Long in Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford.
By Teagasc Green Acres programme advisor James Fitzgerald
Farming just outside Moate, Co. Westmeath, Irvine Allen has been a participant in the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme since the spring of 2019.
In following the plan drawn up for his farm, he is now rearing 110-120 Holstein Friesian bull calves each spring and will carry these through to slaughter from 21-30 months-of-age.
Prior to enrolling in the Teagasc Green Acres Programme, Irvine was rearing a mixture of autumn and spring-born Holstein Friesian bull calves and early-maturing bull and heifer calves, bringing them through to finish from 24 to 30 months-of-age.
A legacy of that system means that the last of Irvine’s early-maturing heifers and bullocks are being finished at the moment, and later this year he will begin finishing the first of the spring of 2020 born Holstein Friesian steers, as part of his new farm plan.