Signpost: Counting stars at Denis Hickey's Midleton calf-rearing unit

Each year, Denis says he is trying to place more emphasis on buying calves with good commercial beef values (CBV scores)

Dylon feeds the cattle as his father Denis Hickey looks on at their dairy beef farm just outside Midleton in Co Cork. Picture Chani Anderson

After a slower-than-usual start to the purchase of calves, I now have all my calves purchased for 2026. Despite the initial challenges of sourcing calves and the significant price rise of calves earlier in the spring, I am delighted that I was able to reach my target of 100 calves bought.

Currently, we have 101 calves on farm, 63 bull and 38 heifer calves. The calves' date of births range from January 19 to March 22, with an average date of birth of February 16, 2026.