For spring-born dairy-beef calves, the target daily liveweight gain is 0.7-0.9kg per day.

If calf performance drops below this, it is usually a sign that something is not right and needs attention.

The key is to recognise this early and act fast before performance dips too far.

Target consistent daily gain

The first grazing season is hugely important as it sets the foundation for future performance.

Calves should be growing consistently from turnout to housing, with no major setbacks.

Once growth is reduced, it is hard to fully make it up later in the year.

Maintaining a strong and steady growth will leave you with heavier animals that are easier to manage, finish earlier, and deliver better overall profitability.

Focus on grass quality

Grass is your cheapest feed available, but only when the quality is right.

Calves perform best on leafy, digestible grass swards rather than heavier, stemmy covers.

Aim to graze covers of 1,000 to 1,200kg DM/Ha. This helps to increase intake and performance.

Paddocks should be grazed out well without forcing the calves to be hungry for too long, with calves moved regularly (every two to three days) onto fresh grass.

It is a balance; too little grass will limit intakes, while too much reduces quality and utilisation. Getting this right is one of the biggest drivers of performance.

Don’t be afraid to supplement!

While grass will do most of the work and will make up most of the diet, there are times when it is not enough and concentration supplementation is necessary.

Poor weather, tighter grass supply, or a drop in quality can all hit performance.

During periods of poor weather, grass intakes can drop quickly, and calves may struggle to achieve target weight gains.

Feeding 1-2kg of concentrates per head per day can help keep performance on track and a short period of meal feeding may prevent a bigger set back later on.

Water and minerals are essential

Calves need constant access to clean, fresh water. Even on lush grass, their water requirement is high, and any water restriction will affect intake and growth.

Minerals are another key area that should not be overlooked.

Deficiencies will not always be obvious, but they can impact thrive.

Mineral supplementation options include boluses, oral drenches, or injections. Ensuring calves receive adequate minerals will support both growth and overall health.

Stay on top of parasites

Parasites are one of the most common causes of poor performance at grass and the damage often occurs before obvious clinical signs appear.

A clear dosing plan should be in place from the start, developed in consultation with your vet.

Faecal egg sampling can help aid decisions, but regular monitoring and observation is essential.

Watch for warning signs like coughing, reduced appetite, or calves going backwards.

Trust your eyes and ears and if you hear coughing and/or see evidence of poor thrive it is essential to act early and treat the calves; delaying treatment will result in lost performance that is difficult to regain and can be costly.

Keep a close eye on calves

Healthy calves should be content, actively grazing and showing good thrive. Any change in behaviour or performance should be investigated.

When performance drops, look at the basics, grass quality, feed supply, health, and weather.

Act quickly, decisively and address the issues. Small delays at this stage can lead to bigger losses over the remainder of the grazing season.

Weigh and monitor performance

Regular weighing is a useful tool and one of the most effective ways to track performance.

At a minimum, weigh calves at turnout, mid-season, and again at housing.

Regular weight data provides a measure of how calves are performing at a number of key stages of their development and helps identify issues, allowing for more informed management decisions throughout the season.

Consistency is key

Consistency is key to good performance at grass. Group calves by size and weight and avoid unnecessary mixing or stress.

Consistent grazing, nutrition, and health will help maintain growth rates and reduce the risk of setbacks.

Conclusion

Maintaining calf performance at grass comes back to doing the basics well, good grass, timely supplementation, strong health management and close observation.

If calves are kept growing steadily through their first grazing season, you will have animals that are easier to finish, more efficient, and more profitable.

For more information on the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 programme, click here.

The 'Managing Your Calves at Grass - A DairyBeef 500 Summer Series' is a collaboration between Teagasc and Agriland, aimed at highlighting 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.