We are entering into one of the busiest periods of the year on many dairy and beef farms over the next few months. With the expansion in the dairy herd over the past few years, we will see huge numbers of calves traded over the next few months and the importance of healthy calves will be ever more important given the numbers farmers will be dealing with.

Ciarán Lenehan outlines two new Teagasc information leaflets for dairy and beef farmers on the important aspects of calf husbandry on the dairy farm and also some important points in relation to beef farmers purchasing calves.

To help make this decision, Ciarán looks at the economics of a calf-to-beef system and, as the figures demonstrate, there is no room for error. The advice from everybody is to study the system in detail and make sure there is enough cashflow on the farm to see the system out.

Darren Carty talks to Joe Burke about the live export trade and what the prospects are for the 2017 market.

We take a look at an integrated system in the UK, where Gary Allis is finishing 1,500 Holstein bulls annually in conjunction with the Buitelaar Group. His attention to detail and feed costs, coupled with his ability to get a forward price contract, has meant he has been able to grow his business considerably in the last few years.

Aidan Brennan compares milk replacer products on the market and what is good value and what is not.

Aidan also reports from a recent AHI calf care event held in Cork.

Finally, Nathan Tuffy has a round-up of recent calf sales and where prices are currently pitched at.