Karen
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Karen McCabe runs a 15-cow suckler herd in Drumlegga, Cloone, Co Leitrim.
Karen McCabe on 21 Jul 2021
Farmer writes: weather for character building
Farmer writer Karen McCabe discusses a bumper haymaking year and the satisfaction of harvesting homegrown potatoes.
Karen McCabe on 14 Jun 2021
Farmer Writes: a revived calf and BEAM targets
Karen McCabe won't be forgetting Lazarus, the latest calf on the McCabe family farm in Drumlegga, Co Leitrim, anytime soon.
Karen McCabe on 26 Apr 2021
Farmer writes: a fool for calving and fashionable cows
Karen McCabe reflects on the benefits of being a wise fool when it comes to calving and heifers with a fetching coat colour.
Karen McCabe on 25 Mar 2021
Farmer Writes: field conditions are deplorable for mid-March
This week, Karen McCabe writes about calving, dealing with the weather and laminitis.
Karen McCabe on 16 Feb 2021
Farmer Writes: first calf of 2021 on the ground
This year, Karen McCabe went for a broad selection of bulls, with 13 different ones used.
Karen McCabe on 19 Jan 2021
Farmer Writes: not for love nor money could we return the calves to their pen
Leitrim suckler farmer Karen McCabe writes about a welcome break from the rain and mischievous calves.
Karen McCabe on 16 Dec 2020
Farmer Writes: challenging times to sell weanlings
Technical issues caused delays for Karen McCabe and her father when they brought cattle to the mart during lockdown.
Karen McCabe on 21 Dec 2020
Farmer Writes: a broken quad and a pleasant farm inspection
Leitrim suckler farmer Karen McCabe’s father has been flashing the hazard lights in front of her and keeping an eye on farm schemes, as well as hosting a cross-compliance inspection.
Karen McCabe on 17 Nov 2020
Farmer Writes: housing reluctant cattle and pulling a calf twice
For the second time in his life, the bull was doused in calving lubricant and with a bit of pushing and pulling, we managed to squeeze his rump out through the gate, writes Karen McCabe.
Karen McCabe on 23 Oct 2020
Farmer Writes: chasing heifers and missing the Green Cert social scene
Karen McCabe has been busy helping a neighbour with some athletic heifers, but being confined to barracks for her studies.
Karen McCabe on 15 Sep 2020
Farmer Writes: breaking into my own shed with a paint roller
It’s our own fault that we don’t have a second set of keys, but the spares were also lost years ago and never replaced, writes Karen McCabe.
Karen McCabe on 21 Aug 2020
Farmer Writes: necessary changes often get put on the long finger
Leitrim suckler farmer Karen McCabe writes about upgrading the slatted shed and avoiding an expensive jaunt.