Key messages for every

KEY messages that can be applied to any calf to beef system were outlined during the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef farm walk on the farm of Conor Greene, Rathowen, Co. Westmeath.

For any system to be profitable the main focus has to be output, which is selling as many kilos of beef per hectare as possible.

Output is a function of a high stocking rate and more importantly the performance of each animal on the farm. If each animal on the farm is not performing and leaving a profit there is little point in carrying more non-profit making stock.

On the day figures were presented to show how Conor would increase output on his farm from 584kgs/Ha in 2014 to 1,038kgs/ha in 2018.

These targets may seem like a big jump in a short few years, but there is plenty of scope on Conor`s farm to achieve this.

In order for Conor to meet these targets a number of changes will be made to his system.

Calves will be bought as early as possible in the year so that they have a long grazing season at grass in the first year. A bigger focus on calf rearing will see the calves fed higher levels of milk replacer to achieve heavier weightsat weaning.

An extra batch of calves will be reared in the autumn/ winter period to make more efficient use of the calf feeder and to help increase stocking rate on the farm.

Soil fertility will be corrected and paddocks put in to produce more high quality grass for grazing (see headings below).

A health plan will be put in place in conjunction with the local vet and this will focus strongly on a vaccination programme.

Animal health plan

As the numbers of calves reared on farms increases, the disease pressure also increases dramatically due to many calves coming from so many different sources.

And with sheds are filled to capacity, diseases will thrive and affect the performance of your animal if there is any glitch in ventilation and floor drainage.