On 25ha of free-draining land outside Claregalway, Co Galway, Nigel O’Kane is farming a 27-strong herd of continental-type cows, all while running a full-time plumbing business. With this in mind, the farm very much needs to run as one with the business, so simplicity is key.

The farm is typical of those found in the west of Ireland, being highly fragmented and consisting of many small fields surrounded by stone walls. On the positive side, it is these small fields that provide a perfect paddock-grazing infrastructure.

Breeding passion

Nigel has a strong interest in breeding good-quality continental cattle and his current crop of calves represent this perfectly. The majority of Nigel’s cows would have large frames and plenty of milk.

To continue breeding the best genetics into the herd, Nigel AIs all of his cows. Cows are AI-ed for six weeks using a range of Limousin, Charolais and Salers maternal and terminal bulls, before mopping up with his own Charolais bull.

It is extremely impressive that Nigel can operate an AI system given the fact that he works full-time off-farm. He credits being very well setup and also says the purchase of Moocall heat sensors this year has made the process remarkably easier.

Supplementing output

Last year, Nigel moved away from selling weanlings and began finishing his own bulls and heifers. The weanling system was not allowing Nigel to capitalise on the full potential of his well-bred stock, so it is hoped a finishing system can help Nigel boost both output and gross margin by getting the most out of his cattle.

Furthermore, the farm also operates a dairy-calf-to-beef operation and has done so for the last number of years. Each year, approximately 30 dairy-bred calves are reared and are subsequently sold live before the end of July in the following year at 17 months of age. Selling these animals live works well for Nigel, given the fact he is reducing the stocking rate at grass as growth rates dip later in the year.

Expanding efficiently

Understandably, Nigel doesn’t want to significantly increase the workload on the farm. However, Nigel has expanded, as he has built a shed to increase the efficiency on the farm. The shed, which was built through TAMS, contains a slatted area for 40 cattle, a handling crush and a dry bedded area for calving attached to calving pens. It is fair to say that this investment has significantly reduced housing pressure and it has made feeding, animal handling and calving much easier.

Nigel O’Kane will host a Teagasc/ Irish Farmers Journal BETTER Farm beef challenge national open day on his farm this Thursday.

Open day details

Nigel O’Kane, Caraun, Claregalway, Co Galway, H91 K862. Thursday, 19 July at 12pm and 5pm.

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