Brian Cromie runs a large scale calf to beef enterprise on his 105ha grassland farm near Banbridge, Co Down.

Around 200 dairy-bred calves are purchased annually. Once on farm, calves are reared through to 26 months of age and slaughtered through ABP Lurgan.

Alongside the calves, Brian also runs 600 breeding ewes, which are split into three flocks for lambing management.

Around 100 ewes lamb in January with the bulk of mature sheep lambing from March onwards. Ewe lambs lamb in April.

Calf-rearing change

Prior to establishing the calf-rearing enterprise in the early half of the previous decade, there was a suckler herd of 12 cows predominantly used in a multi-sucking system to increase cattle throughput. The move to offload suckler cows and focus on calf rearing was the more practical option to increasing farm output for Brian.

Calf rearing was a much better fit with the sheep flock, especially for labour and housing facilities during the lambing period.

Buying calves

Calves are sourced through local marts at around one to two weeks old. Brian buys the calves himself, rather than using an agent. This way, he has full control over the quality of animals arriving on farm.

“I buy bull calves mainly, as they fit the system better than heifers and I can get heavier carcase weights. I prefer an Angus bull calf, but will buy all beef breeds if the quality is good enough.

By buying myself, I know the sellers and choose calves that come from good units that will thrive. The big thing is getting a calf that has received plenty of colostrum after it was born,” says Brian.

Early management

Calves are bought in batches of 40 to suit housing under an all-in, all-out system. Five batches of 40 calves are purchased annually.

The calving profile of dairy farming in Northern Ireland means calves are available year round, but Brian predominantly buys during late summer, autumn and early spring.

I buy bull calves mainly, as they fit the system better than heifers and I can get heavier carcase weights

The aim is to get a group of 40 calves together as quickly as possible, cutting down the stress and disease risks with each new intake, plus it makes it easier for milk feeding.

On arrival on farm, calves are isolated for 24 hours. The next day, calves get an intranasal vaccine to cover IBR before moving to a designated calf-rearing shed.

Calves are grouped according to size in one of five straw-bedded pens, each with its own individual water supply and feed trough.

Milk feeding

Milk is fed through group feeders, each with capacity for eight calves. Milk is fed at 200g of powder per litre of water.

On day one, calves get 1l of milk. This increases to 1.5l, fed twice daily, from day two up to day 10. Milk is then increased to 3l/day, but fed in one daily feed, from day 11 to 28.

From day 29 to 42, milk is reduced to 2.5l/day, then down to 1.5l/day from day 43 until weaning on day 50.

Target weaning weight is 110kg liveweight, with calves usually exceeding this. Calves also have access to concentrates while on milk, starting with a pellet before moving on to a coarse ration and straw.

Meal is fed at a minimum of 1.5kg/day prior to weaning, increasing to 2.5kg/day post weaning along with a mix of silage and straw.

Once weaned, calves move to a converted silo where they are housed on slats with access to a straw lieback.

Grazing

Weaned calves get access to grass from April until autumn. These calves are then housed for a second winter before returning to grass.

Meal is rarely fed to weaned calves at grass.

However, during the second grazing season, there will be a number of cattle finished off grass. These animals will get 2kg/day of rolled barley for one month prior to slaughter.

Finishing

The remainder of the dairy-bred bullocks are finished indoors on good-quality silage and between 4kg to 6kg/day of barley. Bullocks are drafted regularly for slaughter over winter with a target carcase weight of 400kg by 26 months of age.

Disease risks

The herd is well managed and due to the buying policy, disease risks are minimised. There have been a few instances of coccidiosis on farm, but it is usually contained by treating the affected animal rather than the group.

The calf shed is a modified lean-to with ventilation enhanced by installing panels which can be opened, or closed based on weather and air temperature, with a thermometer installed in calf pens.

Calves are routinely wormed and treated for parasites at grass and during the winter, helping to improve calf health and performance.

Top three 3 advantages of calf rearing

  • There is a more streamlined workload for Brian which works well with his sheep flock.
  • Calves are easier managed in groups of 40 with an all-in, all-out policy in terms of housing, feeding etc, making it easier to feed milk, vaccinate and wash and disinfect housing.
  • Running groups of 40 calves at grass helps manage grass which is grazed in rotational paddocks.
  • Read more

    UK beef and sheep production up in 2019

    In pictures: smashers on show at Roscrea fatstock show