Having invested in some of the best pedigree Charolais bloodines in France, the Ryan family from Co Tipperary have an excellent starting base from which to select their show animals.
Their herd, named Goldstar, is based around a number of cow families. The most notable are daughters of Theodat – the same bull that sired last year’s National Livestock Show Champion and also the top breeding cow Alizee. Theodat bloodlines were sourced following numerous trips to France and run through the majority of the female show team today. Martin advises: “Cow families are the foundation of any herd and they are way more important than the bull you use.”
The top show cows are the elite of the Goldstar herd and to propagate their genetics they also actively partake in embryo transfer programmes.
The progeny of these cows are destined, like their ancestors, for the show ring with the bulls potentially selling as stock sires to pedigree herds in Northern Ireland or Britain. Sires for the show calves are chosen based on their pedigree, conformation and breed characteristics in that order.
In selecting a show animal, the Ryans base their decisions on the bloodlines of the animal (cow family they originate from) and the appearance of the animal. Traits of importance include depth and growth potential, muscle characteristics and width in the loin, hips and hindquarter. But as Martin (Jnr) explains: “In breeding there is no simple formula. Some will hit right and some will not but you will generally know in the first six hours after birth what you have, and if they are a show contender.”
Breeding for the show is a very niche, high cost, and competitive market accounting for only 1% of Charolais animals as opposed to commercial bull sales where traits like conformation and calving ease dominate. For commercial customers the Ryans will select sires with good breeding values for these traits and sires that bring the best from a cow.
Rearing and feeding
Correct diet formulation and proper feed management are key husbandry areas in rearing show cattle. Described as a “combination of art and science”, feeding is meticulously planned. In the case of the show cows and older heifers, this nutritional planning started nearly two years ago. From a nutritional background, Martin expertly plans the feeding regime for the cattle aiming to have them coming into peak condition for Tullamore and maintain it for shows in the following four- to six-week period.
He advises to judge feeding based on the animal and for best results to focus to peak over a shorter time period. “You can’t have a cow ready in May, expect her to remain like this until Tullamore and also be in calf,” he says.
Concentrate feeding for the main show period started on 10 June. This was a bit later than normal with advantage taken of cattle being in better condition with a good winter and favourable grazing conditions.
What was surprising is the importance Martin puts on grass in the diet of show stock. He says pedigree show breeders totally undervalue the feed potential of good grass. All the show stock are out full-time grazing with supplementation dictated by grass quality.
Autumn-born show calves are weaned in May and spring-born calves are weaned in July, aged six to eight months. For calves, meal is only offered indoors to get them used to eating. Meal is cut once animals go to grass in spring and reintroduced as weaning approaches. In preparation, show calves are separated in groups and kept on good quality grass and 4kg of meal.
For heifers aged two years and over, supplementation began in early June. Feeding levels depend on the animal with some animals needing longer to reach their peak. For example, two heifers nearing their prime are eating 4kg to 5kg of meal while another heifer is being supplemented with about 9kg meal. As animals get close to their peak, supplementation levels are reduced to maintenance feeding.
Balancing condition is a very difficult task with regular monitoring vital. The simple advice is: “Heifers never look as well when too fleshed, so don’t overcook them.”
On diet formulation, choose ingredients of high quality and consistency. The Ryans recommend to stay away from rapidly fermentable ingredients like barley, wheat or molasses. They advise to base your ration instead on ingredients such as maize, soya, oats, and pulp. They caution never to exceed 2% of bodyweight, especially for heifers and breeding stock.
Feeding management is simple – build up meal gradually over a three- to four-week period and do the same when reducing supplementation levels. Failure to do this will result in nutrition-related lameness.
Training is best started when animals are young. The Ryans’ procedure for breaking animals is to leave them restrained for up for three to four hours on a deep bed of straw with access to feed and water. Repeat for several days before ever walking the animal. The next step is leading animals using a tractor in low gear and animals restrained to a frame to prevent any risk of injury. Simple advice from Martin here is to drive the tractor back to the field where the animal came from. However, he says: “There is no better training than the first day out.”
Show day
The show day is hectic with 10 to 15 animals and typically starts at 5am. Show planning begins the week before with the clipping of the animal. Over the next week, feed and water intake is controlled.
The day before the show animals are tightened up beside the yard or brought indoors for convenience.
Once arrived at the show, cattle are allowed time to settle with top-quality hay fed to get the animal settled and digestion going again. Animals are then washed and groomed.
Finally, the show day is a very important day to promote your herd. The Ryan family describe Tullamore as the ultimate shop window and the pinnacle of the showing circuit.
The Ryan’s are no strangers to the show ring and have clocked up some coveted acolades over the recent years, including:
The Overall Charolais Champion in The Tullamore National Livestock Show in 2011 & 2013 with Goldstar Dolce and Goldstar Adorable.Charolais Male Champion in Tullamore in 2012 and 2013. Both these bulls were exported to the UK and went on to win the 2013 Charolais Junior Championship and the Interbreed Junior Championship at the Royal Highland Show.Martin (Snr) has judged at shows in many corners of Ireland as well as in France, Britain and Denmark.
Having invested in some of the best pedigree Charolais bloodines in France, the Ryan family from Co Tipperary have an excellent starting base from which to select their show animals.
Their herd, named Goldstar, is based around a number of cow families. The most notable are daughters of Theodat – the same bull that sired last year’s National Livestock Show Champion and also the top breeding cow Alizee. Theodat bloodlines were sourced following numerous trips to France and run through the majority of the female show team today. Martin advises: “Cow families are the foundation of any herd and they are way more important than the bull you use.”
The top show cows are the elite of the Goldstar herd and to propagate their genetics they also actively partake in embryo transfer programmes.
The progeny of these cows are destined, like their ancestors, for the show ring with the bulls potentially selling as stock sires to pedigree herds in Northern Ireland or Britain. Sires for the show calves are chosen based on their pedigree, conformation and breed characteristics in that order.
In selecting a show animal, the Ryans base their decisions on the bloodlines of the animal (cow family they originate from) and the appearance of the animal. Traits of importance include depth and growth potential, muscle characteristics and width in the loin, hips and hindquarter. But as Martin (Jnr) explains: “In breeding there is no simple formula. Some will hit right and some will not but you will generally know in the first six hours after birth what you have, and if they are a show contender.”
Breeding for the show is a very niche, high cost, and competitive market accounting for only 1% of Charolais animals as opposed to commercial bull sales where traits like conformation and calving ease dominate. For commercial customers the Ryans will select sires with good breeding values for these traits and sires that bring the best from a cow.
Rearing and feeding
Correct diet formulation and proper feed management are key husbandry areas in rearing show cattle. Described as a “combination of art and science”, feeding is meticulously planned. In the case of the show cows and older heifers, this nutritional planning started nearly two years ago. From a nutritional background, Martin expertly plans the feeding regime for the cattle aiming to have them coming into peak condition for Tullamore and maintain it for shows in the following four- to six-week period.
He advises to judge feeding based on the animal and for best results to focus to peak over a shorter time period. “You can’t have a cow ready in May, expect her to remain like this until Tullamore and also be in calf,” he says.
Concentrate feeding for the main show period started on 10 June. This was a bit later than normal with advantage taken of cattle being in better condition with a good winter and favourable grazing conditions.
What was surprising is the importance Martin puts on grass in the diet of show stock. He says pedigree show breeders totally undervalue the feed potential of good grass. All the show stock are out full-time grazing with supplementation dictated by grass quality.
Autumn-born show calves are weaned in May and spring-born calves are weaned in July, aged six to eight months. For calves, meal is only offered indoors to get them used to eating. Meal is cut once animals go to grass in spring and reintroduced as weaning approaches. In preparation, show calves are separated in groups and kept on good quality grass and 4kg of meal.
For heifers aged two years and over, supplementation began in early June. Feeding levels depend on the animal with some animals needing longer to reach their peak. For example, two heifers nearing their prime are eating 4kg to 5kg of meal while another heifer is being supplemented with about 9kg meal. As animals get close to their peak, supplementation levels are reduced to maintenance feeding.
Balancing condition is a very difficult task with regular monitoring vital. The simple advice is: “Heifers never look as well when too fleshed, so don’t overcook them.”
On diet formulation, choose ingredients of high quality and consistency. The Ryans recommend to stay away from rapidly fermentable ingredients like barley, wheat or molasses. They advise to base your ration instead on ingredients such as maize, soya, oats, and pulp. They caution never to exceed 2% of bodyweight, especially for heifers and breeding stock.
Feeding management is simple – build up meal gradually over a three- to four-week period and do the same when reducing supplementation levels. Failure to do this will result in nutrition-related lameness.
Training is best started when animals are young. The Ryans’ procedure for breaking animals is to leave them restrained for up for three to four hours on a deep bed of straw with access to feed and water. Repeat for several days before ever walking the animal. The next step is leading animals using a tractor in low gear and animals restrained to a frame to prevent any risk of injury. Simple advice from Martin here is to drive the tractor back to the field where the animal came from. However, he says: “There is no better training than the first day out.”
Show day
The show day is hectic with 10 to 15 animals and typically starts at 5am. Show planning begins the week before with the clipping of the animal. Over the next week, feed and water intake is controlled.
The day before the show animals are tightened up beside the yard or brought indoors for convenience.
Once arrived at the show, cattle are allowed time to settle with top-quality hay fed to get the animal settled and digestion going again. Animals are then washed and groomed.
Finally, the show day is a very important day to promote your herd. The Ryan family describe Tullamore as the ultimate shop window and the pinnacle of the showing circuit.
The Ryan’s are no strangers to the show ring and have clocked up some coveted acolades over the recent years, including:
The Overall Charolais Champion in The Tullamore National Livestock Show in 2011 & 2013 with Goldstar Dolce and Goldstar Adorable.Charolais Male Champion in Tullamore in 2012 and 2013. Both these bulls were exported to the UK and went on to win the 2013 Charolais Junior Championship and the Interbreed Junior Championship at the Royal Highland Show.Martin (Snr) has judged at shows in many corners of Ireland as well as in France, Britain and Denmark.
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