Eamon O’Mara runs a 75-cow spring-calving dairy herd near Ballineal in Co. Tipperary — rearing around 60 calves a year. Calving starts mid-February and wraps up by early April, with calves reared in pens of seven or eight on teat feeders. He sources his Natural Stockcare products through Star Fuels and Farm Supplies in Clonmel.
This year, Eamon used sexed semen across the herd. With higher-value calves on the ground, he wanted to do everything he could to give them the best start. “I went down the road this year of trying sexed semen, and we’d be hoping that they hit the ground strong for the spring and continue on — because to get them breeding within two years you want them at the weights.”
The Problem Before BioBalance
Over the previous couple of years, scour had been a regular issue. Breakdowns would come at around four to six weeks, and the vet was a frequent visitor. For a one-man operation, the time cost was brutal.
“I could recall one Sunday having to put electrolytes, Lectade into a calf six times over the course of the day, starting early in the morning and finishing just prior to bed — ten, eleven o’clock at night.”
Mornings that should have taken an hour stretched to half the day. “Most mornings, you could be there feeding them at nine and you could still be out there at half-eleven or so.” The calves that got a setback would spend most of the spring and summer chasing their tail.
“It was quite disheartening as a one-man operation, going out there and seeing your calves not thriving and not doing well.”
How BioBalance Came Into the System
Eamon got in touch with Ray Connolly at Star Fuels. “Over the last number of years I did have a scour issue and I tried this and that. Ray recommended BioBalance, which I used this spring.”
He started BioBalance after the first five days on colostrum and continued through to weaning. It went into the milk via the teat feeders — no complicated routine, just added in twice a day.
“I’m not saying it’s a silver bullet — calves will get scour. But what I found is that they recover definitely far quicker, within two to three days back to normal.”
Calves That Stayed on Milk
The difference showed up in how the calves handled setbacks. In previous years, a scouring calf would go off milk entirely and need round-the-clock intervention. This year, even calves that picked something up kept drinking.
“They stayed under milk and they continued to drink and stay hydrated.” That’s a big deal on any calf-rearing setup — a calf that keeps drinking is a calf that keeps growing.
“Any of them that do get scour, they recover far quicker. They didn’t require as many Lectade and they were back nearly within two or three days.”
Calves That Kept Going Forward
By the time they went to grass, the difference was clear. Belgian Blue crosses that had come through the system on BioBalance were a visibly stronger, more even group than previous years — even through a tough spring.
“Considering how bad the weather was over the spring period, once they went out they kind of went the one way and they’re looking well. They’re a good batch of calves — the best in a number of years.”
Eamon noticed the difference from a young age. “Visually they’re healthier looking. More energy. A good-looking, glossy version of what you’d normally have.”
The calves had no real setback from housing through to grass. “They got no real setback. Once they went out, they went the one way.”
Why BioBalance Stays in the Programme
The return isn’t just financial — it’s time and labour. Previous years meant substantial vet bills, electrolytes, and hours lost nursing sick calves. This year, those costs dropped sharply and mornings went back to being manageable.
“If you take in veterinary costs, electrolytes, your time, stress — it definitely pays for itself.”
Eamon has already made his mind up. “I was very happy with how the product performed. Calves from day one, they wanted to go forward. If you would ask me to use the product again, I would. And I’d recommend it to other farmers.”
To find out more about BioBalance for your own calves, get in touch with the Natural Stockcare team or visit the full Natural Stockcare product range.
