FutureBeef Webinar: Maximising Profit from Weanlings

The Teagasc FutureBeef Programme is hosting two Autumn webinars to help farmers protect the health, performance and value of their cattle from weaning through to winter finishing.

The first webinar in the series takes place on Wednesday, 9 September at 8pm and will focus on getting weanlings properly prepared for sale or for the next stage of production.

Click here to register for the webinars!

Weaning, vaccination, dosing and castration can all place pressure on a calf. Getting the timing and management of these tasks right is essential to minimise stress, protect health and maintain weight gain.

Chaired by Aisling Molloy, FutureBeef Advisor, the webinar will bring together a strong mix of research, veterinary expertise and practical farming experience.

The panel will include:

• Dr Bernadette Earley, Teagasc Grange
• Conor Geraghty, veterinary practitioner with FarmGate Veterinary Group
• Michael Biggins, Co. Mayo weanling producer

Michael Biggins will share how he prepares high-quality weanlings for sale, including his approach to weaning, feeding and herd health. Dr Bernadette Earley will explain the science behind weaning stress and immunity, while Conor Geraghty will provide practical veterinary advice on preventing health problems during this critical period.

Together, the panel will explore the steps farmers can take to keep calves healthy and performing, whether they are selling weanlings or retaining them on their own farms.

The discussion will cover:

• Reducing stress at weaning
• Vaccination and pneumonia prevention
• Castration and correct timing
• Parasite control and dosing
• Introducing concentrates before weaning
• Preparing calves for sale
• Maintaining health and performance after weaning

The message is simple: protect health, maintain performance and maximise the value of every weanling.