As Friday’s BETTER farm walk hosted by Heinz Eggert in Sallins, Co Kildare, drew to a close, the group of bull calves out with their mothers caught the 80 visitors' attention, with what looked like large eartags sticking out of their nostrils.

The devices were Canadian-made QuietWean nose tags, which prevent a calf from suckling. The calves can stay with the cows, but they can no longer access milk, which allows them to wean without the stress of separation from their mothers.

This group of calves was crept-fed for two weeks before the nose tags went in for five days. “There is very little bawling, very little stress,” said Heinz. He expects that this will in turn reduce the risk of respiratory disease, and improve his own sleep.

Heinz started using the devices this year after seeing them online and ordering them from the UK for just over €4 each delivered. Three out of 20 calves so far have lost them and he finds his cattle are much quieter during weaning. “I think it works,” he said.

More details and distributors' contact details are available from the manufacturer's website.

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