FBD Best Dairy Herd Finalist – Targeting improved output through grass management, use of genomics and compact calving in Co. Tipperary

Jim and Edel Conway along with their children, James and Andrea farm an 80 cow HO/FR herd in Burncourt, Co. Tipperary. The Conway’s are actively engaged in high levels of data recording which can be seen through their participation in milk recording, AI usage, involvement in Greenbreed and the DNA Calf Registration programme. (more…)

Continue ReadingFBD Best Dairy Herd Finalist – Targeting improved output through grass management, use of genomics and compact calving in Co. Tipperary

FBD €uro-Star €200-Pedigree Beef Finalist – Data recording central to Ballyaville herd success

The Deverell family run the Ballyaville pedigree Hereford herd just outside the village of Geashill in Co Offaly. The herd consists of 80 pedigree Hereford cows, 5 pedigree Simmental cows and 15 commercial cows in a split calving system. The family have been breeding Herefords since the 1930s and have built up a loyal base of repeat customers. (more…)

Continue ReadingFBD €uro-Star €200-Pedigree Beef Finalist – Data recording central to Ballyaville herd success

FBD €uro-Star €200-Pedigree Beef Finalist – Elite levels of fertility and efficiency in the Riversfield herd

Tom and Geraldine Molan run the Riversfield pedigree Salers herd just outside Kilmallock in Co. Limerick. The herd consists of 45 pedigree cows and 5 commercial cows which are run alongside a thoroughbred horse breeding enterprise. (more…)

Continue ReadingFBD €uro-Star €200-Pedigree Beef Finalist – Elite levels of fertility and efficiency in the Riversfield 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

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

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

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”