Kilkenny farm to host CalfCare programme event

The Farrell family, who farm at Whitechurch, Garryduff, Gowran (Eircode: R95 K224) will host a CalfCare Programme event on Tuesday, January 9, from 11am.

DairyBeef 500, a Teagasc campaign focused on maximising the potential of beef production from the dairy herd, has linked up with Animal Health Ireland’s (AHI) annual CalfCare roadshow on calf health and management.

Alan Dillon, DairyBeef 500’s campaign coordinator stated: “These events are extremely important dates in the calendar for both dairy farmers and dairy calf-to-beef farmers in terms of refreshing their skillset on calf rearing.”

For the first time, beef farmers rearing dairy beef calves will host some of the CalfCare events which will be held throughout the country this January.

It’s hoped that additional visitors will attend these events to get an update on the fundamentals of good calf rearing and management in advance of the 2024 calving season.

According to Pearse Kelly, Teagasc’s Head of Beef Knowledge Transfer: “Dairy beef system performance starts the day the calf is born and the attention to detail of the dairy farmer is an important element in the performance of the beef farmer.

“Equally so, dairy beef farmers have to pick up the baton once the calf transfers to their farm and follow best practice in calf rearing to achieve the targets that underpin successful dairy beef operations.”

Joe Patton, Teagasc Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, said that the integration of both teams to deliver the events emphasised the importance of the calf-rearing process to both farming systems.

“It’s essential that dairy farmers do their utmost to produce calves that have enhanced profitability potential and look after them well up to the point of transfer from the farm to ensure the success of the dairy beef farmer’s operation,” he said

Holding the events on both dairy and beef farms highlights the common skills and knowledge required by both sets of farmers which are similar in nature, according to AHI Chief Executive David Graham.

“AHI welcomes the opportunity to link with Dairy Beef 500 in the delivery and content of these events, reflecting the increasing interdependence of the two sectors as they work together to maintain an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable cattle sector.”