Future Beef update: Inside Wesley Browne’s calving setup

With 88 cows due to calve this spring, Future Beef Programme participant, Wesley Browne brings us an update from his system in Co. Monaghan.

Wesley finishes his male progeny at an average of 15.3 months of age, while replacement-quality heifers are sold for breeding. Calving began in mid-February. Despite challenging weather conditions, the season is progressing smoothly.

For Wesley, health and hygiene are the foundations of a successful calving season. Disease prevention not only protects calf performance but also safeguards cow fertility and overall herd productivity.

Prior to calving, cows are offered pre-calving minerals and 500g/day of soya bean meal, while all cows and in-calf heifers are vaccinated for IBR. Tails are also clipped before calving to improve cleanliness and reduce contamination of calving pens.

Newborn calf care is a key priority. Calving pens are generously bedded with fresh straw, navel dipping immediately after birth with iodine is practiced to prevent joint ill and infection, and every calf receives at least 2L of colostrum within two hours of birth, preferably for Wesley by natural suckling rather than stomach tubing.

Additionally, calving pens are cleaned, disinfected and freshly bedded between calvings, while equipment is kept clean and hot water is available when needed.

Weather permitting, cows and calves are turned out to sheltered paddocks within 24–48 hours after calving, helping reduce pressure on housing and supporting animal health.

In the video below, Wesley provides a detailed look at the calving facilities, equipment and hygiene practices he uses to manage the busy calving period on his farm:

For more detailed information from Wesley Browne’s farm, visit here.

To stay up to date with the latest happenings from the Future Beef Programme, visit here.