I farm: “60ac of good dry land. It’s all lowland and rented at the moment. I would really like to own land outright eventually, but this works well for me right now.”
Stock: “I have 10 sucklers and I’m rearing 20 calves. It’s unusual, but I went for the Speckle Park breed. They have a quiet temperament and good digestion and they’re well-marked animals.”
Bull: “I have a Limousin stock bull that I use for breeding. I bought him last year, so this is my first year using him. I’ve seen calves from that cross before and they were good. I’m willing to give it a go and see how it works out. My cows are due to calf in May.”
Off-farm: “I have a full-time job off-farm working on Martin Heaney’s dairy farm, not too far away from me. He has been such a huge help to me and I’ve learned so much from him. His cows are all due to calve soon, which is why I’ve kept mine back until May, because I just needed to time it right.”
Family: “I live with my girlfriend Katie, she helps me out a lot with the paperwork side of things and she’d be my go-to person for that. My parents are Bernard and Kathleen and I have two sisters, Michelle and Siobhán. They are all great for helping me when I need them.”
This week: “I dosed all of them for lice, fluke and other parasites. I also did a grass walk. With the mild weather at the moment, I’m debating whether or not to let the lighter ones out. I always have the option of putting them back in if the weather turns bad.”
Future: “I would really like to double my herd by next year and I want to get back into contract-rearing. I contract-reared 50 dairy heifers last year. I would hope to get them back this year.”
Hobbies: “I play for St Ultan’s football club, which I really enjoy. That’s my favourite thing to do in my spare time.”
Quotable quote: “It’s all about time-management and keeping a good routine.”
Read more
My Farming Week: John Fleming, Faghcullia, Muckross, Killarney, Co Kerry
Monday management: mid-winter fodder check
New mapping system extended to six counties
I farm: “60ac of good dry land. It’s all lowland and rented at the moment. I would really like to own land outright eventually, but this works well for me right now.”
Stock: “I have 10 sucklers and I’m rearing 20 calves. It’s unusual, but I went for the Speckle Park breed. They have a quiet temperament and good digestion and they’re well-marked animals.”
Bull: “I have a Limousin stock bull that I use for breeding. I bought him last year, so this is my first year using him. I’ve seen calves from that cross before and they were good. I’m willing to give it a go and see how it works out. My cows are due to calf in May.”
Off-farm: “I have a full-time job off-farm working on Martin Heaney’s dairy farm, not too far away from me. He has been such a huge help to me and I’ve learned so much from him. His cows are all due to calve soon, which is why I’ve kept mine back until May, because I just needed to time it right.”
Family: “I live with my girlfriend Katie, she helps me out a lot with the paperwork side of things and she’d be my go-to person for that. My parents are Bernard and Kathleen and I have two sisters, Michelle and Siobhán. They are all great for helping me when I need them.”
This week: “I dosed all of them for lice, fluke and other parasites. I also did a grass walk. With the mild weather at the moment, I’m debating whether or not to let the lighter ones out. I always have the option of putting them back in if the weather turns bad.”
Future: “I would really like to double my herd by next year and I want to get back into contract-rearing. I contract-reared 50 dairy heifers last year. I would hope to get them back this year.”
Hobbies: “I play for St Ultan’s football club, which I really enjoy. That’s my favourite thing to do in my spare time.”
Quotable quote: “It’s all about time-management and keeping a good routine.”
Read more
My Farming Week: John Fleming, Faghcullia, Muckross, Killarney, Co Kerry
Monday management: mid-winter fodder check
New mapping system extended to six counties
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