This spring, 140 calves were reared on the Thrive demonstration farm. All calves were meal-fed from arrival and throughout the transition phase to grass and weaning off milk replacer.

Then, in mid-June, it was decided to stop meal feeding to the oldest batch of calves (93) for the summer months, while the younger bunch of calves (47) continued to receive 1kg/head/day.

Meal has been reintroduced to the oldest batch since the start of September due to the poor weather conditions and low dry matter of the sward beneath their feet.

Weights

Last week, the two batches of calves were weighed to assess performance during the summer months.

As expected, the calves receiving meal have outperformed their grass-only counterparts.

When meal feeding was stopped to the older group on 11 June, they averaged 122kg, while the group that continued to get meal were 104kg.

Average daily gain over the period from 11 June to 27 August was 1.02kg/day for the meal-fed group, while the grass-only group averaged 0.70kg/day.

This means that the meal-fed group are now an average weight of 183kg, while the grass only group are 176kg – a 25kg liveweight swing over the 77-day period.

The 77kg of meal cost €21.50/animal or 86c/kg additional liveweight gain compared with the grass-fed group.

Liveweight gain

Looking at this result alone, you would be inclined to say that meal feeding makes sense. However, the experiment is not complete.

The animals that were on grass only may experience a period of compensatory growth now that they are getting meal and may outperform the meal-fed group over the coming months.

It will be interesting to follow liveweight gain of the two groups from now until housing and throughout the winter period.

Will the meal-fed group maintain the current liveweight difference right through to slaughter or will they be drafted for slaughter at an earlier stage than the grass-only group? Only time will tell.

For more information on dairy calf-to-beef systems, tune into the Thrive virtual open day on 15 September at 8pm on www.ifj.ie/thrive.