'Managing your Calves at Grass - A DairyBeef 500 Summer Series' will highlight the key management practices to improve calf performance during two of the most important stages in dairy calf-to-beef production systems: the transition from weaning to grass; and the first grazing season.

A major focus of the series will be the management practices and practical steps undertaken by farmers in the DairyBeef500 programme to achieve strong calf performance.

DairyBeef 500 Summer Series

The first article will examine how to successfully transition weaned dairy-beef calves from a diet of milk replacer, concentrates, and straw onto a predominantly grass-based diet.

This is a critical stage in calf development, and any setback at this point can have long term implications on the animal’s lifetime performance.

The second article will focus on maintaining calf performance throughout the first grazing season.

With good management, there is great potential to achieve excellent average daily gains at pasture.

Where rumen development has been adequately established prior to turnout, and calves are effectively managed at grass, gains of up to 0.9kg per day are very achievable.

Getting this stage right will result in animals that are more efficient, easier to finish and therefore more profitable.

Grass is the cheapest feed available on Irish farms, and the ability to efficiently convert high quality grazed grass into liveweight gain is central to the profitability and sustainability of dairy calf-to-beef systems.

Based on the experiences of programme farmers and practical management demonstrations, this series will highlight the importance of good weaning management, successful transition to grass, grazing management and overall animal husbandry in delivering high performing animals.

Keep an eye out on Agriland over the coming week for both of these articles and accompanying videos.

A brief reminder also that AHI Calf Care farm walk events will take place on June 9, 10 and 11, focusing on grassland management and calf performance during the first grazing season.