Teagasc DairyBeef 500 advisor, Tommy Cox, discusses calf housing to maximise performance on this week’s Beef Edge podcast.

Tommy says that good ventilation, adequate space, good drainage and warm sheds that are clean and comfortable are essential.  Good ventilation to ensure air is fresh and no draughts are important. Natural ventilation is used in the vast majority of calf houses.  Tommy recommends to provide 2.0-2.3 m2 pen area per calf. 

Good drainage is something that is often overlooked.  Tommy says that calves spend about 80% of their time lying down so they need a dry bed. A dry environment will also reduce the spread and growth of bugs. All calf houses should be built with a damp-proof course to prevent rising dampness. A slope of 1:20 in the calf pen area is recommended

Calves perform best at 15-20 degree Celsius, but they don’t generate sufficient heat to insulate themselves from colder temperatures until after they are weaned. Deep beds of straw are effective in protecting calves from the cold. Hygiene is obviously very important. Floors and walls should be easily cleaned.

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

 
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