Gareth Peoples, a participant in the Teagasc Signpost and DairyBeef 500 programmes, fills us in on the latest happenings from his farm in Co. Donegal, focusing this time on calf sourcing and rearing.

Getting good calves in the gate is one of the most important parts of any calf-to-beef system. It’s something I put a big focus on here on the farm. Whether they’re spring or autumn-born, calves need to be healthy and strong from the start if they’re going to thrive, finish well and leave a margin.

Autumn calf sourcing

When it comes to autumn calves, there are a few extra things to keep in mind. There’s fewer of them about, and they need to hit the ground running because they’re going straight into winter housing. That first few months is make-or-break, so picking the right calves is important.

For me, autumn-born calves help spread the workload. Spring is already very busy with numerous other jobs going on, so having a batch of calves coming in later suits well. It also makes better use of housing that might otherwise sit empty over winter.

Another bonus is that these calves usually finish before their second winter. That means saving a lot on feed, straw and time. Plus, having stock to sell at different times of the year helps with cashflow too.

Finding good autumn calves can be a bit of a challenge. With over 90% of dairy herds calving in spring now, there’s just not that many autumn calves around. My preference is a good square, soft type Friesian calf but they can be difficult to find in the autumn.

What’s worked for me is building good relationships with a couple of dairy farmers who still calve in the autumn. Buying directly off the farm usually means less stress on the calf and fewer health risks. You know where they’ve come from, and the farmer knows what kind of calf you’re after.

What I like to see when going looking at calves is a calf pen with lots of dry clean bedding, good hygiene, calves with lots of vigour, with no signs of any health issues such as pneumonia, scour or navel infections. I never buy calves without seeing them. A quick check can save a lot of bother down the line.

Calf rearing and management

Getting the right calves is only half the job, how they’re managed after arrival is just as important. On our farm, we make sure new calves get the best possible start from day one.  A clean, dry, and well-ventilated shed is key. Calves need fresh air but not draughts, so we make sure there’s good airflow without it getting cold or damp. Bedding is kept dry and topped up regularly to keep calves warm and reduce infection risk.

If housing in groups, we try to keep calves of similar size and strength together. It cuts down on bullying and helps prevent the spread of bugs. Once calves arrive, it’s all about steady, consistent feeding. We use a high-quality milk replacer, make sure they’ve always access to clean water, and provide a good starter ration.

At the end of the day, calves that are comfortable, well fed and stress free are far more likely to stay healthy and hit performance targets. A bit of extra attention in those first few weeks pays off all the way to finishing.

Gareth Peoples is a participant in both the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 and Signpost Programmes.

Find out more about the Signpost Programme here.

Find out more about the DairyBeef 500 Programme here.

The above article first appeared in the Farming Independent as part of a regular Signpost Programme update.

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