Thinking ahead to weaning
Attention now turns to preparing weanlings for September/October sales. Most farms already know which sale they will target. Enda Neylan, Teagasc Advisor, shares some key advice.
After a difficult 2026 for grass growth, every farm should complete a silage/forage budget to determine where stocks stand. On farms that normally keep cattle through the winter, low forage supplies may make it sensible to consider selling some young stock early to reduce winter demand. Decisions over the next few weeks will help maximise returns by ensuring animals reach sale in optimal condition.
Where grass is tight, some farmers have already started feeding concentrates to calves to maintain daily live-weight gain. Feeding concentrates before and after weaning is important to develop the rumen and reduce the shock of stopping milk from dams. Creep grazing ahead of cows allows calves to access the best grass and helps break the maternal bond, which reduces weaning stress when they are fully separated.
2026 Beef Welfare Scheme
Many suckler farmers will be familiar with this scheme from previous years. All suckler farms should consider applying as both actions are beneficial and most farmers are already carrying them out.
The 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme, which is due to launch in mid-August, will support farmers in meal feeding suckler calves before and after weaning, and in vaccinating against Clostridial diseases, calf pneumonia and the Blue Tongue vaccine. The meal feeding action is mandatory for the scheme, Participants must indicate at the time of application if they wish to avail of the support for the vaccination measure. Farmers should consult their veterinary surgeon on which vaccination programme to implement on their farm. All farmers with suckler calves are eligible for this Scheme whether they are selling as weanlings or wintering their own calves for the 2026 winter.
Eligible calves must be born in the period 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2026.
Action 1 – Meal Feeding
Must commence 4 weeks pre weaning and be maintained for a period of 2 weeks post weaning to reduce stress on calves are weaning can be very stressful where the calves have to adapt their diet away from milk.
Action 2 – Vaccination
Veterinary advice is recommended as to which program to implement, it is very important to get the best immunity in calves to follow to guidelines of what vaccine is chosen. These dates could be different to meal feeding so ensure a plan is put in place to have calves vaccinated prior to weaning to minimise loss of daily gain and maximise immunity.
The Scheme has a maximum payment of 45 calves; farmers must complete the actions for whatever number they submit under the scheme.
Meal feeding has a payment of €35 a head up to 45 calves with a potential of €1575 to be gained from this action.
Vaccination is optional, it has a payment of €15 a head, even in cases where both vaccines are given, with a further €675 potentially available to any farmer with 40 calves. The total scheme payment is €2250, of course with all schemes, this is subject to the number who apply. For a smaller farmer with 20 cows this scheme is worth €1200 provided they complete both actions.
Autumn born calves are eligible, and the Minister has confirmed this provided the actions are completed, in some unfortunate cases where calves were sold not vaccinated prior to selling, they will not be eligible to the €15 payment under Action 2. Farmers can submit applications to the Scheme via Agfood when the scheme opens in mid-August, alternatively they can contact their Advisor who can submit on their behalf.
For farmers who applied for the 2026 National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme a payment of €20 per eligible calf for weighing between 5 and 50 calves, with data submitted through the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) by November 1, 2026. Applications closed on May 15, 2026.
Key Scheme Rules
- Payment Rate: €20 for each eligible calf, paid for a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 50 calves per holding.
- Eligible Calves: Male calves of a dairy breed, or male/female calves from a beef sire and dairy dam, born between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
- Age and Residency: Calves must be at least 12 weeks old when weighed and registered on the applicant’s holding for at least 10 days before the weighing date.
Important Deadlines
- Weighing and Submission Deadline: All weights must be sent to the ICBF within 7 days of being weighed and no later than 5:30 PM on November 1, 2026.
- Expected Payment: Issued in December 2026.