Beef
Does night-time feeding reduce night-time calvings?
Does night-time feeding reduce night-time calvings? Some farmers may be implementing a feeding strategy where silage is restricted to suckler cows during daylight hours, instead being offered at night time, to reduce the incidence of night-time calvings. However, the implementation of such a strategy is no guarantee of reducing the number of […]
22 February 2024
Newford farm update – the move to Roscommon, calving preparation and performance review
Newford farm update – the move to Roscommon, calving preparation and performance review With the calving season underway, Michael Fagan, Teagasc Newford farm technician, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to give an insight into changes on the farm, preparation in advance of calving and a review performance of the herd. […]
21 February 2024
Diary dates: DairyBeef 500 spring farm walks
Diary dates: DairyBeef 500 spring farm walks Gordon Peppard, DairyBeef 500 Advisor, previews two upcoming events, where the host farmers will share the progress they’ve made in improving physical and financial performance of their dairy calf to beef enterprises. This spring, the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 team is holding two farm walks on […]
21 February 2024
A busy calving and breeding season for Ken Gill, Future Beef Farmer
A busy calving and breeding season for Ken Gill, Future Beef Farmer Ken bred 14 heifers and 58 cows to AI bulls between November 1 and December 11, which amounts to a six-week breeding season. While it means that the replacement rate on the farm is closer to 30% than the target […]
20 February 2024
The importance of colostrum to suckler calves
The importance of colostrum to suckler calves As a means to protect the early-life health of calves, suckler farmers have been encouraged to prioritise the feeding of colostrum to their calves this spring. This message came from John Donlon, a Teagasc vet working in the area of beef herd health, who joined […]
20 February 2024
Newford herd settled into new home in Roscommon
Newford herd settled into new home in Roscommon The Newford suckler demonstration farm, established by Teagasc and Dawn Meats with support by McDonalds, took up its new residence on a 118 acre farmable farm at Scrine Co, Roscommon at the end of 2023, Michael Fagan tells us more on the latest happenings […]
17 February 2024
Research update: Cow-calf bond development
Research update: Cow-calf bond development Noeleen Brereton, Mark Mcgee, Colin Byrne and Bernadette Earley report on the effect of suckler cow breed type and parity on the development of the cow-calf bond post partum and its relationship with calf passive immunity. Development of the cow-calf bond post partum and passive immunity of […]
17 February 2024
Advice and tips for caring for the new born calf
Advice and tips for caring for the new born calf This week on the Beef Edge podcast it’s the second of a two part episode with Teagasc vet John Donlon who gives advice and tips for caring for the new born calf. John outlines the best practice for when the calf is […]
14 February 2024
How this DairyBeef 500 farmer turned the tide on pneumonia
How this DairyBeef 500 farmer turned the tide on pneumonia Since developing a calf to beef system on his farm in Castledermot, Co. Kildare, Peter Byrne has encountered issues with pneumonia during the calf rearing phase. Fergal Maguire, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Advisor to the farm, explores the strategies Peter has implemented to […]
14 February 2024
Key SCEP dates approaching
Key SCEP dates approaching Farmers participating in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) need to be aware of two upcoming dates. The first occurring on February 15 relates to the completion of survey data on the calves and suckler cows; the second relates to the 2024 SCEP reference number. In SCEP, the […]
12 February 2024