Case Studies

Read more about the article FBD €uro-Star €200-Pedigree Beef Finalist – Genotyping and data recording vital for decision making in the Randalstown herd

FBD €uro-Star €200-Pedigree Beef Finalist – Genotyping and data recording vital for decision making in the Randalstown herd

Miriam and Benny Sheridan run the Randalstown Charolais herd near Navan in Co. Meath. The herd consists of 10 pedigree Charolais cows, 5 pedigree Charolais heifers, 4 commercial cows and 4 pedigree Charolais young bulls. The Sheridans breed animals destined for both the suckler and dairy herd. As a result, the traits that are most important in this herd when making breeding decisions are calving ease, fertility, docility, carcass and milk. (more…)

Continue ReadingFBD €uro-Star €200-Pedigree Beef Finalist – Genotyping and data recording vital for decision making in the Randalstown herd
Read more about the article FBD €uro-Star €200 Commercial-Beef Finalist – Organic suckler farmer striking a balance in Co. Kilkenny

FBD €uro-Star €200 Commercial-Beef Finalist – Organic suckler farmer striking a balance in Co. Kilkenny

Sean Treacy is an organic farmer who runs a suckler to beef system on 41ha near Thomastown Co. Kilkenny. The herd consists of 22 suckler cows and 27 steers. The overall herd Replacement Index has seen a gradual increase from €85 in 2015 to €107 in 2020. Sean has been an active HerdPlus member since 2017. (more…)

Continue ReadingFBD €uro-Star €200 Commercial-Beef Finalist – Organic suckler farmer striking a balance in Co. Kilkenny
Read more about the article FBD €uro-Star €200 Commercial Beef Finalist – High levels of data recording working well in Tipperary herd

FBD €uro-Star €200 Commercial Beef Finalist – High levels of data recording working well in Tipperary herd

Thomas Hogan runs a suckler to store enterprise on 55ha just outside Nenagh Co. Tipperary. The herd consists of 55 suckler cows, 12 replacement heifers and 27 steers. Steers are sold in the mart at around 18 months along with surplus heifers. The store system works well for Thomas as it allows him to run cows and calves in the one group. (more…)

Continue ReadingFBD €uro-Star €200 Commercial Beef Finalist – High levels of data recording working well in Tipperary herd
Read more about the article Peter Hynes – “It has been our best breeding season yet”

Peter Hynes – “It has been our best breeding season yet”

It’s the time of year when planning is crucial on farm. Decisions we make now will have the greatest impact on farm performance for 2021. We had a super scanning result with only 7% of cows empty and 100% of heifers in calf, with 68% in calf to first service. 145 animals will calve in February 2021. It has been our best breeding season yet. Synchronising the heifers on fixed time AI really works for us and it also shows the in-calf rate for first lactation cows. I feel it just allows them time to recover after calving to prepare for the breeding season. (more…)

Continue ReadingPeter Hynes – “It has been our best breeding season yet”
Read more about the article WHPR Breeder Profile – “The focus needs to be firmly on the collection & analysis of large volumes of accurate data.”

WHPR Breeder Profile – “The focus needs to be firmly on the collection & analysis of large volumes of accurate data.”

Limousin WHPR Breeder – Doreen Corridan, Roundhill, Fedamore, Co.Limerick As a breeder, I welcome the WHPR (Whole Herd Performance Recording) system…

Continue ReadingWHPR Breeder Profile – “The focus needs to be firmly on the collection & analysis of large volumes of accurate data.”
Read more about the article Peter Hynes – Trailer after trailer load of coloured bales

Peter Hynes – Trailer after trailer load of coloured bales

One of the first major things I implemented when I started farming was grass measuring. Surplus bales go hand in hand with grass management, so every year we make more and more silage bales. In 2016 we started using all pink plastic for wrapping our bales. The #WrapItPink campaign really is a fantastic campaign raising awareness for Breast Cancer whilst also raising vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
(more…)

Continue ReadingPeter Hynes – Trailer after trailer load of coloured bales
Read more about the article Peter Hynes – “It is important we look out for each other”

Peter Hynes – “It is important we look out for each other”

Whilst life on the farm has been quiet in the last month, life in general has kept us well occupied. Daily chores are limited to milking, checking stock and some fertiliser once a week. The dry weather hasn’t affected us too much and we would hope to mow our second cut in a little over two weeks. (more…)

Continue ReadingPeter Hynes – “It is important we look out for each other”