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April 15, 2021, 6:10 am
The announcement of the Dairy Beef Calf measure last month has provided farmers rearing dairy-beef calves this year, the opportunity to obtain some additional funding towards weighing their animals.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has described the purpose of the scheme to increase the economic and environmental efficiency of beef from the dairy herd, and to facilitate integration of the dairy and beef sectors.
DAFM has also revealed that over 1,900 applicants have already signed up to the new scheme.
What calves qualify for the payment?
Farmers must have an active herd number, while also having submitted a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application in 2021.
April 14, 2021, 6:10 am
Poor conception rates in replacement heifers are often due to heifers being underweight by the start of the breeding season.
The task of achieving this target pre-breeding weight begins once a replacement heifer is born, until mating start date (MSD) when she reaches approximately 13 to 15 months-of-age.
As the future replacement heifers approach the stage of weaning, we must ensure that an adequate weaning plan is in place – to minimise any stress placed on the calves – as they make the switch from whole milk or milk replacer to solid feed.
Managing replacement heifers from birth
Poor management of calves pre and post-weaning can result in poor potential growth rates, health issues and failure to reach heifer rearing weight targets.