James and Nelson Alexander opened up their farm just outside Toomebridge, Co Antrim, to hundreds of visitors last Saturday. The Alexanders run an enormous operation with some 900 in-calf heifers, as well as a very successful machinery sales operation.
The farm recently changed its direction and sold its suckler herd and moved to sourcing high-quality heifers, putting them in calf and selling them during the year.
The Alexanders have a small pedigree herd of Angus, Limousin and Shorthorn cattle.
Listen to "James Alexander explains how he manages the nearly 1,000 in-calf heifers on his farm" on Spreaker.
James Alexander said that the move away from sucklers has freed up both time and labour.
“Moving away from the commercial suckler cows has reduced the labour input and allowed us concentrate more on the machinery end of the business. We can now run 1,000 cattle in the yards with a low labour input,” he said.
“We have a couple of good buyers north and south who are sourcing the type of heifers I want. We have different customers requiring different types of heifers. Some require plainer type traditional breeds while others require more muscular continental heifers. We have to try and cater for everybody,” Alexander said.
Heifers are penned by breed type and weight and the 900 heifers make for an impressive sight. Heifers are bred to easy-calving Limousin, Simmental and Shorthorn bulls.
Read more
Herd profile: focus on the Jalex Herd
James and Nelson Alexander opened up their farm just outside Toomebridge, Co Antrim, to hundreds of visitors last Saturday. The Alexanders run an enormous operation with some 900 in-calf heifers, as well as a very successful machinery sales operation.
The farm recently changed its direction and sold its suckler herd and moved to sourcing high-quality heifers, putting them in calf and selling them during the year.
The Alexanders have a small pedigree herd of Angus, Limousin and Shorthorn cattle.
Listen to "James Alexander explains how he manages the nearly 1,000 in-calf heifers on his farm" on Spreaker.
James Alexander said that the move away from sucklers has freed up both time and labour.
“Moving away from the commercial suckler cows has reduced the labour input and allowed us concentrate more on the machinery end of the business. We can now run 1,000 cattle in the yards with a low labour input,” he said.
“We have a couple of good buyers north and south who are sourcing the type of heifers I want. We have different customers requiring different types of heifers. Some require plainer type traditional breeds while others require more muscular continental heifers. We have to try and cater for everybody,” Alexander said.
Heifers are penned by breed type and weight and the 900 heifers make for an impressive sight. Heifers are bred to easy-calving Limousin, Simmental and Shorthorn bulls.
Read more
Herd profile: focus on the Jalex Herd
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