Good calf rearing to be highlighted on CalfCare '25 farms

17 farms nationwide will host CalfCare ’25, a collaborative roadshow by Animal Health Ireland (AHI) and Teagasc’s DairyBeef 500 campaign, promoting calf health and good calf rearing practices.

Running from Monday, January 6, 2025 through to Wednesday, January 22, CalfCare ’25 aims to get any farmer involved in calf rearing off to the best possible start from the New Year.

With the support of Volac Milk Replacer Ireland Ltd. (Feed For Growth), along with the co-ops and meat processors in each host region, CalfCare ’25 will champion best practice husbandry and management practices and how to deliver best calf performance.

Describing the busy month ahead as “an informative introduction to the farming year,” Alan Dillon, DairyBeef 500’s programme coordinator, hopes that attending farmers “will use these events to refresh their calf rearing skillsets”.

Assistant CellCheck programme manager, AHI, Michelle McGrath said: “For many farmers, it may have been a while since they last cared for calves, so by attending these events, farmers can refresh their knowledge on the best practices for calf feeding, managing common health issues, and optimising calf growth.

“It also provides an opportunity for farmers to ask questions that are relevant to their own farms.”

CalfCare ’25 will address a range of pressing issues which farmers face during a critical time of their working year, including:

Understanding dairy and beef indices to produce quality calves;
Achieving optimal rumen development;
Discussing the best means of utilising pain relief during the calving season;
The prevention of pneumonia in calves.

Teagasc head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer Department, Joe Patton, said that the coming together of the DairyBeef 500 and AHI teams to deliver the CalfCare events emphasised the importance of the calf-rearing process to both farming systems.

“It is essential that dairy farmers do all they can to produce calves that have enhanced profitability potential by suitably looking after them up to the point of transfer from the farm, thus ensuring the success of the dairy beef farmer’s operation,” he said.

“Given the success of last January’s CalfCare events, which marked the first time that DairyBeef 500 and AHI had worked together like this, we are delighted to continue this relationship to highlight how both sectors, working together, complement each other.”

With both dairy and beef farmers hosting the forthcoming events, Natascha Meunier, AHI Beef HealthCheck Programme manager, believes that CalfCare ’25 will highlight the common skills and knowledge required by both sets of farmers.

“CalfCare ’25 is not only for dairy farmers; the management and health information is relevant to all calf rearers and we look forward to welcoming all with a keen interest in gaining the best outcomes for their calves.”

CalfCare ’25 events and locations

Monday, January 6, 2025: Farm of Richie Long, Knockaun, Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford E91 VH67;
Monday, January 20, 2025: Farm of Vivian and Evan Buttimer Ford Farm, Crohane, Ballinascarthy, Clonakilty, Co. Cork P85 A726;
Tuesday, January 7, 2025: Farm of Andrew McMenimen, Castlefinn, Co. Donegal F93 YT50;
Wednesday, January 8, 2025: Farm of John O’Connor, Coolageela, Kanturk, Co. Cork P51 NX70;
Thursday, January 9, 2025: Farm of Frank Kennedy, Boley Upper, Cranford, Gorey, Co. Wexford Y25 R840;
Thursday, January 9, 2025: Farm of Brian Buckley, Pluckanes, Donoughmore, Co. Cork P32 Y772;
Friday, January 10, 2025: Farm of Aidan and David Treacy, Lissanacody, Eyrecourt Ballinasloe, Co. Galway H53 FW98;
Friday, January 10, 2025: Farm of John Lawlor, Ballysheen, Abbeydorney, Co. Kerry V92 A260;
Monday, January 13, 2025: Farm of Jimmy and Kieran Cummins, Two Mile Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary E41 PW26;
Tuesday, January 14, 2025: Farm of Sean and Eamonn Roche, Castlerickard House, Longwood, Co. Meath A83 F896;
Tuesday, January 14, 2025: Farm of Timmy, Therese and Brendan Ryan, Newtown, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick V94 PV2F;
Wednesday, January 15, 2025: Lamberton Farms, Castletown, Fahan, Co. Donegal F93 CF77;
Thursday, January 16, 2025: Farm of Cathal Marren, Montiagh, Curry, Co. Sligo F91 RX3R;
Friday, January 17, 2025: Farm of Karl O’Shea, Angram, Drimoleague, Co. Cork P47 RD42;
Friday, January 17, 2025: Farm of John Comerford, Bushfield, Borris-in-Ossory, Co. Laois R32 X229;
Tuesday, January 21, 2025: Farm of Leona and Philip Hayes, Aughadrumagullion, Butlersbridge, Co. Cavan H12 CX97;
Wednesday, January 22, 2025: Farm of Sean Hayes, Tulla, Co. Clare Y95 W280.