Farming in Tooreenbawn, Millstreet, Co. Cork, and operating a spring-calving suckler to beef system, Future Beef Programme participant, Ger McSweeney places a firm focus on calf health and it’s paying dividends when it comes to achieving one calf per cow per year.
A key marker for any profitable suckler system, Ger McSweeney recorded zero calf mortality at birth and up to 28 days of age in 2025, achieved by placing a firm focus on calf health.
One of the main KPIs in a profitable suckler beef enterprise is weaning 1 calf per cow per year, an important part in achieving this target is to minimise calf mortality at birth and in the first few months of life. The national average mortality rate for suckler beef calves at birth and within the first 28 days of life are 0.85% and 2.07%, respectively. A high calf mortality rate is one of the most significant indicators of poor health and welfare within a suckler beef herd.
Ger places a huge emphasis on trying to achieve close to zero calf mortality to maximise the number of calves weaned per cow.
To do so, Ger places significant emphasis on selecting the most suitable sire for each cow to minimise calving difficulty. Once calves are born, his focus shifts to two critical areas:
- Ensuring rapid and adequate intake of high-quality colostrum – essential for immunity and early vigour.
- Maintaining excellent hygiene standards in both calving pens and calf-rearing facilities to reduce the risk of disease.
With male progeny on the farm finished as under-16 month bulls and heifers not retained for breeding brought to finish at 20-21 months, focusing on calf health and achieving this key performance indicator is adding to Ger’s bottom line.
The first was adapted for use on Teagasc Daily from a Future Beef Update on Ger McSweeney’s farm. Also detailed was Ger’s approach to breeding, colostrum management, housing, animal performance and improving labour efficiency.