Top tips for calf rearing

As dairy calves start to arrive on farms, Green Acres Dairy Calf to Beef participant, Shane Cranny from Co. Carlow, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to share some of his top tips when it comes to rearing calves and an update on his farm. Shane purchases calves in the autumn and has grown the number of calves to 110, purchased in 2021. Shane targets to slaughter off grass as steers at 22-24 months of age and says that buying the right calf from reliable sources, optimising the calf’s nutrition and health, along with limiting disease pressure, are absolutely critical. He also seeks information on the dairy herd’s health and feeding protocol, vaccination programme and any current or previous disease issues. Shane describes the protocol from once calves arrive on the farm with attention to detail important to minimise mortality and he highlights the importance of good housing through minimising draughts and good ventilation. For further information: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/green-acres-calf-to-beef/farmers/shane-cranny/ For more episodes from the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com