Future Beef Newsletter March 2025

Ger McSweeney

Top Tips for March

Top tips for March 2025

Dates for your Diary

▶ Tuesday, March 18, March 25, and April 1: Future Beef breeding webinars – details to follow.
▶ Wednesday, March 26, at 3.00pm: Farm walk on Proinnsias Creedon’s farm, Barrathanaknock, Clondrohid, Macroom, Co. Cork.
▶ Friday, March 28, at 3.00pm: Farm walk on Cathal Irwin’s farm, Mountgordon, Westport Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Farm Update: focus on calf health leads to 0% mortality in Ger’s suckler system

Ger McSweeney with his wife Karen and their daughter Ella.

Ger McSweeney farms 25.31ha in Tooreenbawn, Millstreet, running a suckler-to-beef system with 35 spring-calving suckler cows. He finishes males as under 16-month bull beef, while heifers not retained for breeding are finished at 23-24 months. To maximise genetic potential, he relies on 100% AI, selecting the best sires available.

Strong calf health and 0% mortality
One of the key performance indicators (KPIs) in a profitable suckler system is weaning a calf per cow per year. In 2024, Ger recorded an impressive 0% calf mortality rate at birth and up to 28 days post birth. Improved calf health not only reduces losses but also enhances overall farm profitability by boosting animal performance and output.

Key management practices for success
To achieve these results, Ger prioritises:
▶ careful sire selection – matching the correct sire to the dam to minimise calving difficulties;
▶ high-quality colostrum intake – ensuring calves receive adequate colostrum immediately post birth; and,
▶ strict hygiene standards – maintaining clean and well-bedded calving and calf-rearing pens.

Click here to watch a video of Ger discussing this:

Technical Update - Maximise breeding success with a teaser bull in suckler herds

Vasectomised bull grazing on John's farm Teaser bulls can help improve heat detection, shorten calving intervals,
and boost breeding efficiency.

Using a teaser bull in suckler beef herds improves heat detection, shortens calving intervals, and boosts breeding efficiency. These infertile but sexually active bulls help identify cows in oestrus, leading to better AI timing and a more compact calving season.

Key benefits of teaser bulls:
▶ improved heat detection – natural mating behaviours and a chin ball make it easier to spot cows in oestrus;
▶ enhanced breeding efficiency – stimulates stronger heat signs and earlier cycling post calving; and,
▶ better herd management – more accurate insemination timing for a uniform calving period.

Things to consider:

▶ bull selection: healthy, calm, and active breeds like Friesian are ideal;
▶ surgical procedure: performed by a vet at least nine weeks pre breeding; and,
▶ safety measures: proper handling is required, as teaser bulls remain active.

For a full guide on teaser bulls in suckler herds, read the following technical note.

Farm update: Cathal Irwin adapts to new fertiliser limits in 2025

Cathal Irwin with animals

Cathal Irwin

Cathal Irwin farms 19ha in Mountgordon, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, running 18 Simmental-cross cows bred to a Simmental bull or AI-ed to a Limousin. Bulls are finished under 16 months, while heifers are sold as stores at 12-18 months. In 2024, he purchased 16 weanling bulls to boost output.

This year, tighter fertiliser limits are restricting him to 114kg of chemical nitrogen (N) per hectare, impacting grass growth. He needs 10.5t of dry matter (DM)/ha to feed his stock but can only grow an estimated 9.2t DM/ha, leaving a 26t DM shortfall.

To counteract this, Cathal is:
▶ taking soil samples and applying lime to boost soil fertility;
▶ using slurry, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) on high-response fields;
▶ delaying fertiliser application until soil temperatures exceed 8°C;
▶ using low-emission slurry spreading (LESS) to retain N;
▶ buying silage early to manage feed quality; and,
▶ using protected urea for better N retention.

Alternative options such as red clover silage, extra ration, reducing stock, or renting land were considered but deemed unsuitable due to cost and practicality.

Click here to read more on Cathal’s bull performance and calving update.

Technical update – navel care for newborn calves

Newborn calf with cow Proper navel care in newborn calves is critical.

Proper navel care in newborn calves is critical for preventing infections and ensuring healthy growth. Poor navel hygiene can lead to navel ill, bacterial infections, and long-term health issues. Follow these six essential steps to improve calf health and reduce disease risks:

1. Maintain clean calving pens
A clean and dry environment is key to preventing infections. Regularly disinfect calving pens, apply lime, and provide fresh straw bedding to reduce bacterial exposure.

2. Keep cows clean before calving
Reduce contamination by trimming cow tails and flanks two to three weeks before calving. Move cows to clean calving areas two to three days prior to birth to allow dirt to shed.

3. Follow proper hygiene practices
Farmers should wear clean clothing or disposable gloves when handling calves. This prevents introducing bacteria that can cause infections.

4. Disinfect the navel immediately
Within 15 minutes of birth, dip the navel in 7-10% iodine solution or chlorhexidine. This promotes drying and prevents bacterial growth. Ensure full coverage, especially at the severed end of the umbilical cord. It is recommended to re-treat the navel with a spray two to four hours later if it was dipped already.

5. Provide high-quality colostrum
Feed the calf two to three litres of colostrum within two hours of birth. Colostrum is essential for boosting immunity, as newborn calves have underdeveloped immune systems.

6. Monitor for signs of navel infection
Check the navel for swelling, pain, or discharge. If signs of navel ill appear, consult a veterinarian. Treatment often includes a five- to seven-day antibiotic course.

Further information is available here.

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