DairyBeef 500 is joining forces with Animal Health Ireland’s (AHI) CalfCare Programme for 18 on-farm events, which will be held throughout the country between January 4th and January 23rd next.
DairyBeef 500, a Teagasc campaign focused on maximising the potential of beef production from the dairy herd, is linking up with the annual AHI CalfCare roadshow on calf health and management for the first time this month.
These events aim to keep farmers informed of the best practice husbandry and management practices to deliver the best performance from calves in their care.
CalfCare
Rearing healthy calves has always been the focus of CalfCare events, and next month’s programme shall be no different. For the first time, a new dimension has been introduced – as beef farmers rearing dairy beef calves will host some of the events.
Through the addition of some beef farms, it is hoped that even more people will attend these events to get an update on the fundamentals of good calf rearing and management, in advance of the 2024 calving season.
Both beef and dairy farm performance is built on the foundation of good calf rearing, and all farmers rearing calves are encouraged to attend.
Speaking in advance of the launch of the schedule of events, Pearse Kelly, head of beef knowledge transfer at Teagasc, said: “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,” he said.
Mr. Kelly welcomed the opportunity to link with the very successful CalfCare series to deliver events in 2024, and encouraged dairy beef farmers to attend their closest event, be it run on a dairy farm or beef farm, as the content delivered “will be the same regardless of the host farm function”.
Joe Patton, head of dairy knowledge transfer at Teagasc, said that the integration of both teams to deliver the events emphasises the importance of the calf rearing process to both farming systems.
“The value of a good relationship between the dairy farmer and the beef farmer should not be underestimated.
“It is 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.
“Their success is important to the dairy farmer due to their dependence on them to buy the calves they produce,” Patton said.
Alan Dillon, DairyBeef 500’s campaign coordinator stated: “These farm 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.”
Getting young calves off to the best possible start in life over the rearing period is essential to the business of calf rearing. 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.
David Graham, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Animal Health Ireland concluded: “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.”
All events start at 11a.m and will take place at the following venues and dates
Date Location
04/01/24 Aidan and Mary Reardon, Ballinaboy, Ballinhassig, Co Cork T12 KD73
05/01/24 John Russell, Ballylawn, Manorcunningham. Letterkenny, Co Donegal F92 Y838
05/01/24 Seamus Byrne, The Avenue, Killeen, Maganey, Athy, Co Kildare R93 E3P4
08/01/24 John and James Magner, Carrignacunna, Killavullen, Co Cork P51 KH61
08/01/24 John, Martina and Cora Lonergan, Dranganmore, Cahir, Co Tipperary E21 V380
09/01/24 Farrell Family Farn, Whitechurch, Garryduff, Gowran, Co Kilkenny R95 K224
10/01/24 Seamus Cullen, Rathangan, Duncormick, Co. Wexford. Y35NW08
12/01/24 Richard Stack, Moyvane, Moyvane South, Co Kerry V31 XT89
12/01/24 John and Marie Hurley, Kilronan, Dunmanway, Co Cork P47 YD72
15/01/24 Michael Quinn, Ballinwear, Nenagh, Co Tipperary E45 K102
16/01/24 Gerard, Anne and Stephen McCarthy, Ballymackean, Old Head, Kinsale, Co Cork P17 RX37
17/01/24 Paddy O’Kelly, Farrihy, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick P56 A439
17/01/24 Colm Reilly, Kilamanagh, Caherlistrane, Co Galway H91 F25R
18/01/24 Timmy Lane, Brooklodge, Clondulane, Fermoy, Co Cork P61 H221
18/01/24 Eugene and James Cunningham, Corlea, Kingscourt, Co Cavan A82 HX82
19/01/24 Albert Helen, Dromgarriff West, Ballinascarthy, Clonakilty, Co Cork P85 PD30
22/01/24 Tom Bolger, Cloneygoose, Borris, Co Carlow R95 KV80
23/01/24 Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co Meath C15 PW93
