DairyBeef 500 Calf Care Webinars
Type Event Proceeding
The DairyBeef 500 team organised two calf care webinars which took place on Tuesday, 16th January and Tuesday, 30th January. The first webinar focused on Preparation for Calf Rearing in 2024, while the second webinar focused on Sourcing and Feeding Dairy Beef Calves in 2024.
Preparation for Calf Rearing in 2024 - Tuesday, 16th January
In preparation of calves arriving on farm in the coming weeks, the focus of this webinar was on health and housing.
Martin Kavanagh, Munster Bovine gave useful advice and tips on the requirements of a good calf shed and how to maximise performance.
Sarah Higgins, MSD Animal Health looked at keeping the calf healthy during the rearing period and gave guidance on vaccination protocols for different disease risks.
Peter O’Hanrahan, one of the DairyBeef500 programme farmers from Co. Kilkenny outlined his farming system and described his calf rearing facilities and how he manages to keep his calves healthy through the rearing phase.
Watch webinar recording below
The presentations were followed by a panel discussion, chaired by Alan Dillon, DairyBeef 500 Programme Manager, Teagasc.
Panellists included:
- Martin Kavanagh, Business Development Manager, Munster Bovine
- Sarah Higgins, Ruminant & Equine Veterinary Manager, MSD Animal Health
- Peter O’Hanrahan, DairyBeef 500 Programme Farmer
Sourcing and Feeding Dairy Beef Calves in 2024 - Tuesday, 30th January
With many calves arriving on dairy farms in the coming weeks, many of these calves will be moved and reared on specialist dairy calf to beef rearing farms. This webinar focused on sourcing and feeding of these dairy bred calves this spring.
Tommy Cox, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 programme advisor, looked at the whole area of sourcing calves and what farmers require in a good calf at purchase. He also gave an insight into the new Commercial Beef Value tool that is now available to select calves based on their genetic potential.
Eric Driver, Tullow mart manager, spoke to Fergal Maguire, Teagasc DairyBeef 500 programme advisor about how the new Commercial Beef Value would work at mart level and gave his opinions on how this would play out in the calf market.
Liam Gannon, Volac gave an overview of what specifications are required in a good milk replacer and he also outlined the advantages and disadvantages of teat and automatic milk feeders.
Charlie Smyth, DairyBeef 500 programme participant from Co. Cavan outlined his farming system and described how he selects calves to purchase and how he feeds them through the rearing phase.
Watch webinar recording below
The presentations were followed by a panel discussion, chaired by Fergal Maguire, DairyBeef 500 Programme Advisor, Teagasc.
Panellists included:
- Tommy Cox, DairyBeef 500 Programme Advisor, Teagasc
- Liam Gannon, Volac