Most calves on the Dairylink Ireland programme are born in the autumn. Dairylink Ireland participants reviewed the performance of heifer calves on their farms during an online meeting last week. Action points to improve growth rates were identified and will be implemented during the next calving season. Calf rearing strategies have assumed increasing importance in the dairy industry with research showing that heifer calves which achieve a pre-weaning liveweight gain (LWG) greater than 0.8kg/calf/day produce more milk during their first lactation and have longer lifespans. Phase two Dairylink farmers have been monitoring LWG among their calves this season and discussed their findings with Sarah Campbell from MSD Animal Health and Dr Alastair Boyle from CAFRE.