For this second part of a two-part series focused on the Commercial Beef Value, Ciaran Conway, who runs a weanling-to-finishing heifer system with his son Diarmuid outside Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, discusses his system and use of CBV on their farm. Ciaran and Diarmuid were awarded the Suckler Finisher Award for Ashbourne as part of the 2025 ICBF Beef Quality Awards.
High-CBV continental weanlings, disciplined management and a grass-driven system underpin the reliability and strong carcass results achieved.
Ciaran discusses how grass is central to his system and the key grassland management practices that drive performance. Buying over 300 cattle a year makes a good herd health plan essential, and Ciaran outlines his health protocol. Ciaran also works off-farm as a nutritionist and discusses his finishing programme for the stock when they are housed.
The system, which finishes around 24 months, is tightly managed, and Ciaran outlines the role CBV plays in purchasing cattle, in addition to visuals and price.
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