We are now in the midst of peak calving season in Ireland. While 2 million calves are born on Irish farms over the course of the year, half a million will be born in this month alone.

For farmers, it is an extremely busy time, a time of stress, but also a season full of hope and optimism. The days are slowly getting longer. Each new arrival brings new life and expectation. For those passionate about breeding and herd improvement, the birth of a heifer calf to a cherished animal is a real boost. Sexed semen is now used on some farms, but for the majority it still remains a 50-50 throw of the dice.

It is a season inevitably punctuated by days of disappointment, regret and annoyance at the ones that got away. Apart from the financial cost, there is an emotional hit.

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Young people raised on farms certainly benefit from early lessons in life and unexpected death. One of my earliest memories is staying up all night to witness twins being born by ceasarean section. The sudden death of the cow four days later was a memorable shock for an emotionally attached four-year-old! Calving paralysis is another hazard of the season; watching a cow struggle to stand for days is tormenting.

There are huge number of management factors that must be right - diet, minerals, body condition score. Technology such as calving cameras has reduced the strain of the calving season, but at its core it remains the same test of animal husbandry and competing with the power of Mother Nature.

Best of luck with calving season 2015.