Dairy steer beef at 20-21 months can work well

With the forecast expansion of Irish dairy cow numbers following the end of the milk quota regime, there will be a greater number of dairy-type calves available for beef production.

The options for finishing male dairy calves for beef have been studied by Robert Prendiville, Brian Murphy and Brendan Swan, Teagasc, Grange and Johnstown Castle.

Previously, the blueprint for spring-born male dairy calves was a 24-month steer production system.