Breeding, feeding and leading cows were all discussed at the farm walk on Paraic Greenan’s farm just outside Monaghan town on Wednesday.
Greenan runs the Greenlea pedigree herd of Holsteins but has also taken on greater emphasis on building a more robust cow in the herd in recent years.
“I took over the farm in my own right in 2004 but only went full-time in 2011. The farm had to make money and stand on its own two feet to support a family," he told farmers.
"We did a fair bit of cap-ex [capital expenditure] on calf and calving facilities, rebuilding the silage pit and, finally, a new milking parlour in 2016. We’ve gone from 60 cows in 2014 to just over 100 now.”
"You need to have a good breeding policy in place that you know and trust," says Padraic Greenan of the Greenleah Holstein herd. \ Lorraine Teevan
The numbers
In terms of production, the herd is performing well. Padraic sold 8,432kg to LacPatrick Dairies (now Lakeland Dairies) in 2018 from 115 cows.
The milk solids per cow worked out at 615kg. The calving internal stood at 382 with the cows calving from November to April/May.
The stocking rate currently on the farm is 3.4 livestock units per hectare and all heifers are calving at two years of age. Sexed semen is used on all the heifers for the first service only.
Conor Evans, Frank Evans and Jim Greenan enjoying the IHFA Farm Walk on the farm of Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Co Monaghan. \ Lorraine Teevan
Breeding and feeding
The key to strong production figures is “breeding and feeding”, he says.
“You have to get the breeding right. Ideally, you’re matching bulls to cows. You need to have a good breeding policy in place that you know and trust.
The best cows in the herd are the ones that just work away and that you don’t see
"After that, it’s the feeding. You need to be feeding the cow what she needs, not what you think she needs. You must feed her to get to perform. If the cow is under pressure, you’ve sickness, fertility issues and the like. When you spend on meal, it’s an investment.
“The best cows in the herd are the ones that just work away and that you don’t see.”
Show ring
The Greenlea herd has won dozens of rosettes over the years but Greenan says it is not the main function of the herd.
“I do like shows. I like the whole process around getting ready for shows, the clipping, the walking, the training and the showing itself but I don’t breed for shows. We’ve had a fair bit of success at local shows but we’re still looking for a national championship.”
The IHFA will elect Pat Gaynor from Mullagh in Co Cavan to the position of president at its AGM on Wednesday. Gaynor is the first IHFA president from the border region.
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Breeding, feeding and leading cows were all discussed at the farm walk on Paraic Greenan’s farm just outside Monaghan town on Wednesday.
Greenan runs the Greenlea pedigree herd of Holsteins but has also taken on greater emphasis on building a more robust cow in the herd in recent years.
“I took over the farm in my own right in 2004 but only went full-time in 2011. The farm had to make money and stand on its own two feet to support a family," he told farmers.
"We did a fair bit of cap-ex [capital expenditure] on calf and calving facilities, rebuilding the silage pit and, finally, a new milking parlour in 2016. We’ve gone from 60 cows in 2014 to just over 100 now.”
"You need to have a good breeding policy in place that you know and trust," says Padraic Greenan of the Greenleah Holstein herd. \ Lorraine Teevan
The numbers
In terms of production, the herd is performing well. Padraic sold 8,432kg to LacPatrick Dairies (now Lakeland Dairies) in 2018 from 115 cows.
The milk solids per cow worked out at 615kg. The calving internal stood at 382 with the cows calving from November to April/May.
The stocking rate currently on the farm is 3.4 livestock units per hectare and all heifers are calving at two years of age. Sexed semen is used on all the heifers for the first service only.
Conor Evans, Frank Evans and Jim Greenan enjoying the IHFA Farm Walk on the farm of Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Co Monaghan. \ Lorraine Teevan
Breeding and feeding
The key to strong production figures is “breeding and feeding”, he says.
“You have to get the breeding right. Ideally, you’re matching bulls to cows. You need to have a good breeding policy in place that you know and trust.
The best cows in the herd are the ones that just work away and that you don’t see
"After that, it’s the feeding. You need to be feeding the cow what she needs, not what you think she needs. You must feed her to get to perform. If the cow is under pressure, you’ve sickness, fertility issues and the like. When you spend on meal, it’s an investment.
“The best cows in the herd are the ones that just work away and that you don’t see.”
Show ring
The Greenlea herd has won dozens of rosettes over the years but Greenan says it is not the main function of the herd.
“I do like shows. I like the whole process around getting ready for shows, the clipping, the walking, the training and the showing itself but I don’t breed for shows. We’ve had a fair bit of success at local shows but we’re still looking for a national championship.”
The IHFA will elect Pat Gaynor from Mullagh in Co Cavan to the position of president at its AGM on Wednesday. Gaynor is the first IHFA president from the border region.
Read more
Baldonnel FM Sunshine continues winning ways at Emerald Expo
Carmen cows average over €2,000 at Ballyboy dispersal sale
Radney Holsteins top IHFA premier
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