Watch: Getting the basics right at calving with James Skehan
Future Beef Programme participant, James Skehan runs a spring-calving suckler herd of 28 cows in County Clare. Central to the success of James’ suckler system is getting cows calved early and to produce one healthy calf per cow per year.
Preparations are underway to ensure the calving 2026 season is a success. Keeping calving tight is a big part of how the farm works. About two-thirds of the cows are bred using AI, with the rest served by a Limousin stock bull with a strong terminal index. Replacement heifers are bred from a small number of proven AI sires, chosen mainly for milk, fertility and carcass traits.
In 2025, 71% of the cows calved within six weeks, and the herd weaned 0.91 calves per cow. For 2026, calving is planned over nine weeks, with over 80% of cows expected to calve in the first six weeks.
Good preparation is essential for a company calving system, and James puts a lot of focus on cow nutrition and herd health in the weeks leading up to calving. Cows are kept in the right body condition and are fed a high-quality pre-calver mineral. A full vaccination programme is also in place to reduce the risk of calf scour.
Key steps taken ahead of calving this spring include:
- Having cows in the right body condition at calving,
- Vaccinating cows to protect calves from scour,
- Feeding a good-quality pre-calver mineral,
- Supporting colostrum quality through nutrition,
- Cleaning and disinfecting calving pens and calf areas, and
- Making sure all calving gear is ready and to hand.
In the below video, James outlines how he manages the herd pre-calving and what practices he puts in place to achieve a successful calving this spring:
For view the most recent update from James Skehan’s farm, visit here.
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