Holstein bull rearing at Greenmount Campus

Norman Weatherup, Beef Technologist, Greenmount Campus

The end of the Calf Processing Scheme in November 1999 meant that there has been a surplus of dairy bred bull calves in Northern Ireland. However, demand for manufacturing grade beef has been increasing due to the continuance of the Over Thirty Months Scheme and a reduction in competitively priced beef coming from Intervention stores. Therefore, an opportunity exists to add value to bull calves from the dairy herd.

Approximately 60 calves are currently being reared at Greenmount Campus in partnership with a processor and a feed compounder. The following management regime is employed at the campus. Calves receive adequate colostrum as soon as possible after birth and are then fed 200g of an acidified milk replacer in two litres of water twice daily. Hay and a coarse calf mix are offered from seven days of age and calves are weaned at around eight - nine weeks of age when they are eating at least 1 kg of a 17 percent crude protein coarse feed. Care is taken to avoid mixing calves between groups or moving groups to another house within the two week period following weaning.

After weaning calves are moved to a slatted house, hay is gradually replaced with clean straw and feed is offered using a covered hopper so that fresh feed is continually available. A 17 percent crude protein Link ration is offered from around 12-14 weeks of age and continues until 20 weeks of age. The Link ration allows for a transition from coarse calf feed to a 16 percent crude protein Finisher feed but it is not considered essential in this system. The hopper system is an excellent way to mix two rations to ensure a gradual changeover without upsetting stock. A Finisher ration is offered from about 20 weeks of age. It is very important that calves are never allowed to run out of meal, straw or fresh water.

Greenmount calves will be finished intensively in slatted pens until slaughter. Autumn born calves should not be put out to grass due to behavioural problems. Dairy bull calves are typically more aggressive than beef bulls. A period at grass will extend the finishing period which can "cost" livestock units for extensification and in addition, meat plants may not be willing to accept older cattle exhibiting "bull" characteristics such as crest development.

Growth rates have been excellent to date with post weaning live weight gains in excess of 1.2 kg/day. Currently, eight month old calves are eating 6.7 kg concentrates/day and are on target to achieve 260 kg carcass weight at 12 months of age.

Bulls should be kept on their concentrate and straw ration right up to the time they are loaded for transport to the abattoir. They should be killed within one hour of arrival at the abattoir so advance notice of intended slaughter should be given. A delay before slaughtering increases stress which can lead to a reduction in meat quality.

Contact norman.weatherup@dardni.gov.uk