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Some 800 farmers travelled to the MacNamara family farm in Knockainey, Co Limerick, on Wednesday for the Grassland Farmer of the Year national open day.
The 2018 winners of the competition, John and Olivia are milking 244 cows on a 78ha milking platform.
Their herd is a mix of New Zealand Friesian-type Holstein Frieisans and Jersey crossbreds.
Stephen Connolly took the opportunity to ask visiting farmers about their own plans for the breeding season, choice of sire and their preferred method of heat detection.
Tom McGillycuddy, Killorglin, Co Kerry
“I started the breeding season on 24 March. This was two days earlier than last year just because there was a lot of cows bulling on the day.
We use AI. I will use a team of bulls for the breeding season.
"I mostly use fresh semen, but have four or five bulls bought in case they don’t have the particular bull we want in fresh semen on the day.
"No Jersey is used on the farm.
"Our method of heat detection is tail paint for the cows and scratch cards on the heifers.”
Rory O’Regan, Horse & Jockey, Co Tipperary
“I will start breeding season on 1 May. This is the same date that I started last year.
"I plan to AI for six weeks, then let off two stock bulls with the cows.
"I use some Jersey on the cows - about 20% of the herd might receive a Jersey straw.
"The heifers are all synchronised on the farm. Moo Monitors are used for heat detection on the cows and heat patches used on the heifers.”
Anthony Watson, Charleville, Co Cork
“We started our breeding season on 22 April. This is the same date as we started last year.
"We plan on using AI for six weeks, then we will let off stock bulls.
"We use about 50% Jersey and 50% high-EBI Friesian bulls on the farm. Our method of heat detection is tail painting and observation.”
James Beresford, Dungaravan, Co Waterford
“I started the breeding season two weeks ago on 11 April. This is earlier than last year.
"We have a team of three bulls for 100 cows. No Jersey is used on the farm.
"We are breeding more cows this year. Method of heat detection is tail paint.”
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