For the final part of our special series in advance of spring calving on the Beef Edge Podcast, Teagasc vet, John Donlon focuses on caring for the newborn calf.

John discusses the importance of colostrum and the 1,2,3 of colostrum in which you use the first milk (colostrum) from the cow; feed the calf colostrum within the first two hours of birth; and calves must be offered at least 3L of good quality colostrum.

John outlines the importance of dipping or spraying the calves navel to prevent infection.

Obviously we expect the calf to get up and suck the cow straight away, but John describes the correct way to use a stomach tube if needed.

Regardless of a suckler or dairy beef system, there are a number of ailments that can arise, in relation to calf scour and respiratory issues and John highlights the importance of administering electrolytes.

Crypto and coccidiosis are unfortunately an issue on some suckler farms, with John detailing the preventative actions and best treatment measures.

Respiratory infections and disease are a main cause of calf deaths and John explains the best ways to prevent and treat this.

Clostridial diseases can cause a number of conditions in cattle. One of the most common conditions is blackleg. Unfortunately it is often too late when detected and there was a rise in reported deaths in 2024.  John advises that it is a two shot vaccine and it’s critical the instructions are followed correctly to ensure it is effective.

If you missed either of the first two parts in the series, listen back to Teagasc Nutritionist Aisling Claffey on nutrition pre and post calving, and John Donlon on calving the cow.

The FutureBeef Webinar Series 

The final part of the FutureBeef webinar Series is on Thursday, 23rd  January at 8pm which will focus on Calving and Post-Calving Management.

Click here to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UXK1_LHDSE-W_WDlb9HyGg#/registration

The webinar will be chaired by James Mullane, Future Beef Programme Advisor and will feature Dr John Donlon, Beef Herd Health Research Officer, Teagasc; Dr Doreen Corridan, CEO of the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC); and Michael Biggins, Future Beef Farmer. 

This webinar will centre on the calf, covering topics such as the first principles of calving, managing the calf’s first month, and getting the cow back in calf.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

In advance of spring calving season, Teagasc Nutritionist  Aisling Claffey, and Teagasc Researcher and Vet, John Donlon, join Catherine for a special three part series, and this week, for the second part, John Donlon focuses on calving the cow.

John discusses the essentials that farmers can do to prepare and what items are essential to have ready and he outlines the key steps when it comes to intervening when a cow is calving as well as different presentations. 

He also explains what to be aware of when using the calving jack and he discusses issues that can arise such as milk fever, retained placentas and mastitis.  

If you missed last week, listen back to Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey on nutrition pre and post calving and what you should be feeding.

Next week, for part three in the series, John Donlon will discuss caring for the newborn calf.

Upcoming Future Beef Webinar on Pre-Calving, Tuesday, 21st January @8pm

The webinar will be chaired by Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor, and will feature Professor David Kenny, Head of the Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc; Emma Sargent, Ruminant Veterinary Area Manager, MSD Animal Health; and Ed Curtin, Future Beef Farmer. 

The webinar will focus on the cow pre-calving covering topics such as body condition score (BCS), minerals, and pre-calving vaccinations. 

Click here to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UXK1_LHDSE-W_WDlb9HyGg#/registration

Calving and Post-Calving Management Webinar, Thursday, 23rd January @8pm

The webinar will be chaired by James Mullane, Future Beef Programme Advisor, and will feature Dr John Donlon, Beef Herd Health Research Officer, Teagasc; Dr Doreen Corridan, CEO of the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC); and Michael Biggins, Future Beef Farmer. 

This webinar will centre on the calf, covering topics such as the first principles of calving, managing the calf’s first month, and getting the cow back in calf.

Click here to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UXK1_LHDSE-W_WDlb9HyGg#/registration

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com 

In advance of spring calving season, Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey, and Teagasc Researcher and Vet, John Donlon, join Catherine Egan for a 3 part series on the Beef Edge podcast. 

On the first part, Aisling Claffey focuses on nutrition pre and post calving.

Aisling explains how, at calving at this time of year, we see a lot of animal health problems. Obviously cow condition, particularly body conditions score is important relating to these issues.

Overall cows were in good condition at housing this winter, but during the dry period, cows should be fed 65-68 DMD silage to manage body condition.  Cows should be penned accordingly to ensure that thin cows are not bullied at the feed barrier and receive adequate feed.

Many herds will have started feeding a pre calving mineral already and Aisling discusses the key ingredients in a pre-calving mineral to support foetal development.

There are a variety of options for supplementing minerals be it bolus, dusting or buckets.

Next week John Donlon will discuss calving the suckler cow.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Market intelligence specialist, Phelim O’Neill with the Irish Farmers Journal, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to reflect on 2024 and discuss the market outlook for 2025.

Looking back on 2024, Phelim discusses the increase in price seen in all cattle categories. Even with this increase in price, there is still a difference between UK and Ireland prices.

Phelim also comments on Irish exports for the past year and looks to the year ahead. With overall beef production down in Ireland and within the EU, Phelim says this is reflected in a decrease in suckler cow numbers and highlights the possible opportunities and challenges this will have.

Finally, Phelim concludes, beef prices are expected to be maintained based on the supply of beef and demand coming into 2025.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Michael Fagan, technician on the Newford demonstration farm in Co. Roscommon, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the farm and a review of the year since moving from Athenry Co.Galway. 

Michael outlines how the move has been busy with repurposing sheds, reseeding, installing paddocks and water systems, all the while getting used to the overall change in location and soil type of the farm.

Due to weather conditions, weanling and finishing performance is back and Michael discusses finishing cattle performance and management of the cows prior to calving.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Kilkenny farmer Liam Cassin is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his contract heifer rearing system. 

Liam moved from sheep to suckler cows and started contract heifer rearing 14 years ago. The steady monthly cashflow alongside the reduced financial input of purchasing stock are key benefits for Liam.

Grassland management and a good paddock system are very important to make the system viable in order to reach the target weights, according to Liam.

Initially starting with one dairy farmer, Liam has increased the system to now working with four farmers contract rearing heifers. 

The dairy farmer visited Liam’s farm and viewed the farm and Liam visited their farm initially. From there the business has thrived and each contract is different as Liam describes.

Further information is available here:

https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/collaborative-farming/contract-heifer-rearing/

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Dr. Natascha Meunier, Beef HealthCheck Programme Manager, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss how to control liver fluke effectively and understand it better.

Liver fluke is estimated to cost at least €90m to the Irish industry through reduced production and Natascha highlights how the incidence of liver fluke on this year’s Beef HealthCheck reports have doubled from 1% to 2%: 

https://animalhealthireland.ie/programmes/beef-healthcheck/beef-healthcheck-online/

Each year, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in collaboration with Met Éireann, UCD, Teagasc and Animal Health Ireland advises farmers of the predicted risk of disease caused by liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection in livestock for the following winter. 

This year’s forecast, based on meteorological data gathered between May and October 2024 by Met Éireann, predicts infection being most prevalent in the west and northern half of the country, with a somewhat lower disease prevalence in the southeast of the country. 

Further details here:

https://www.gov.ie/ga/preasraitis/48ce4-liver-fluke-forecast-november-2024/

Natascha explains that while the Beef Health Check report is retrospective, it’s important to review when cattle are finished if the health plan is working.

Natascha also discusses the importance of faecal sampling and the different treatment options.  It’s important for farmers to be vigilant especially if liver fluke has never been an issue on their farm in the past and she explains how rumen fluke can be identified and when to take action.

With the majority of stock housed in the past few weeks, Natascha advises in relation to respiratory issues, anthelmintics and importance of housing ventilation and air quality.

For further information on AHI Liver Fluke - The Facts:

https://www.animalhealthireland.ie/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Animal%20Health%20Liver%20Fluke%206pp-web(1).pdf

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Teagasc research officer Dr. Patrick Forrestal, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the practical nutrient management solutions that beef farmers can implement on their farms to increase efficiency, reduce costs and address environmental pressures facing the sector.

This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.

Further details from Patrick’s presentation are available at:

Presentation: 

Practical nutrient management solutions (PDF)

Paper: 

Practical nutrient management solutions (PDF)

Watch a video recording of Dr Patrick Forrestal's presentation:

https://youtu.be/euD2ERfN1zE

For further information on the conference please visit www.teagasc.ie/beefcon24

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

There’s a bonus Beef Edge episode this week with Future Beef programme manager, Martina Harrington, discussing the innovations on Future Beef suckler farms which are driving sustainability.

This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.

Further details from Martina’s presentation are available at:

Paper: 

Driving Sustainability Innovations on Future Beef Suckler Farms (PDF)

Watch a video recording of Martina Harrington's presentation:

https://youtu.be/x32GOxrr030

Find out more about the Future Beef Programme:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/demonstration-farms/future-beef-programme/ 

For further information on the conference please visit www.teagasc.ie/beefcon24

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Teagasc researcher Dr. Peter Doyle outlines the impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.  This is a recording from the Teagasc National Beef Conference held on November 19th.

Further details from Peter’s presentation are available at:

Presentation: 

The impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems(PDF)

Paper:

The impact of red and white clover on animal performance in suckler calf-to-beef production systems(PDF)

Watch a video recording of Dr Peter Doyle's presentation here:

https://youtu.be/_yPqOPCMyDs 

For further information on the conference please visit www.teagasc.ie/beefcon24

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com