We will be showing and discussing the options all Livestock farmers will face over coming years in partnership with Bord Bia and ICBF. 

Some sectors such as the dairy enterprise will see significant changes because milk quotas are finishing next year and this major change will have knock on consequences on the beef sector in coming years. 

This year for the first time Sheep will form part of our demonstration and we will discuss the merits and problems of breeding and feeding the right stock for future markets.

Beef animals

The main points our livestock experts will be make about having a productive herd include:

  • Don’t get caught up on a breed; goal is a functional cow irrespective of breed
  • Aim for good milk yield potential from grass-based production system
  • Use the Replacement Index when selecting dams/replacements
  • The steers on the stand include a Hereford steer who is ideal for high value HF/AA premium markets and is suited to grass-based production. There is also a Friesian steer who has good conformation and weight for age and should be finished under 30 months. 

    There is a Charolais bull who will be finished in a 16-month bull system and will respond to high energy finishing diet, and two Limousin bulls; one who is ideal for the Italian market and one who is ideal for the UK market. 

    Dairy

    In terms of dairy animals, there is a cow sired by “Looster” with an EBI of €159 and whose average production the last three years has been 7,664 kg at 4.25% fat and 3.73% protein (611kg MS). 

    The other dairy cow at the stand is sired by “Oman”. This cow has an EBI of €233 (€63/€120) with an average production of the past three years of 7,056 kg at 4.33% fat and 3.63% protein (561kg MS). 

    Discussion topics around dairying will include feeding systems, breeding and markets. The primary system for the the majority of milk suppliers is to produce as much milk solids per hectare profitability for grazed grass. 

    Over 85% of Irish milk is processed into butter, cheese and milk powders and exported out of Ireland. This will continue post 2015 when quotas are removed and this reinforces the breeding objective to focus on more milk solids.

    Sheep

    In relations sheep, our livestock experts will be discussing developing a breeding policy that:

  • Use Terminal Index for producing lambs for slaughter
  • Use replacement index for producing replacements
  • A number of different sheep are on the stand demonstrating different breeding traits and confirmation standards.