Dairy
Herd genotyping is one of the "most obvious" ways that dairy farms in Ireland can ensure optimum calf welfare.
Last year, Teagasc opted to contract rear calves - up to weaning - on Shinagh Dairy Farm in Bandon, Co. Cork.
As this year's dairy bull calf crisis starts to wind down, dairy farmers begin their search for answers to the problem for next year.
Beef
With calving season just around the corner, concerns are mounting that calf rings in marts will soon swell with dairy bull calves.
Agri-Business
While calf exports increased more than 460% in the first six weeks of 2016, a six-year welfare-based programme in Britain resulted in the near cessation of that trade.
It is better to promptly and humanely slaughter unwanted dairy bull calves born this spring than for them to be mistreated or exported.
