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I farm: “In partnership with my husband Niall. We have three children, Cillian (seven), Alannah (five) and Conall (three). We have about 180ac between two farms in Horseleap and Daingean, Co Offaly. We rent about 80ac as well.”
Farming: “We have 70 cows, 35 pedigree Herefords and 35 commercial cows. We run a calf-to-beef system and sell pedigree stock as well. Niall also operates a store-to-beef system and buys in cattle every year.”
Next generation: “My father and mother transferred the farm to me and Niall about five years ago and we intend to keep farming for our children and improving the quality of the stock.”
Herefords: “My grandfather started the Gageboro Hereford herd back in 1930. He’d been left £6 in a legacy by a relative and used it to buy his first pedigree heifer from Franciscan Brothers in Offaly on the way home from a show. My father John Holloway is a well-established breeder and would have bred some well-known bulls including Gageboro Morgan and Gageboro Suave.”
Herd traits: “We’re very strong on culling and keeping the cow herd young. A cow has to produce a good calf every year. We put a lot of emphasis on milk, fertility and good feet.”
This week: “We are looking forward to the Tullamore Show. The day acts as a shop window for pedigree breeders. We’re only about 15 miles from the showgrounds but we’ll be up at 5.30am. You only get one shot in the ring and it’s important to have cattle looking well. There can be a fair amount of pressure on the day.”
Fodder: “We were lucky we got a decent enough first cut of silage, but I’d say a lot of people around us are about 20% short of winter fodder at the moment and some of them more. Some of our land got very burnt up in the drought.’’
Quotable quote: “There’s no point in breeding fancy looking cattle that aren’t commercially viable.”
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