Denis Hickey: Flying calves and fields bursting with grass

This week, Denis examines the performance of his calves and and assesses his grassland management

Denis Hickey, who recently returned to farm the family land after it was leased for more than 30 years, pictured on his dairy beef farm near Midleton in Co Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson

The last few pens of calves on the farm are currently being weaned off milk.

This year, I have decided to hold all calves in the shed on a diet of straw and concentrates for two to three weeks after weaning in order to further develop their rumen and hopefully avoid any issues when transitioning them to grass.