Officers and committee members will be present to meet existing and new members on this year’s Montbeliarde Society of Ireland stand at the National Ploughing Championships.

Breed adviser Ferreol Roche from Coopex France will be available to give advice on what bulls to use during the breeding season while also providing an update on a number of new bulls that will be coming on stream for 2016.

Crasat is one such bull that seems to be generating a lot of interest at the moment. Speaking to Dovea personnel, the society reports that demand for Montbeliarde semen is on the up again this year.

The society will be taking orders for its custom-made farm signs and jackets on its stand at this year’s National Ploughing Championships. These make ideal Christmas presents and can alternatively be ordered through the website at www.montbeliarde.ie.

The society is also in the process of compiling a members’ journal and is urging anyone interested in featuring in the journal to make contact with either a committee member or with Angela Lacey from the herd register. The society reports that cattle registrations continue to increase.

Open day

The Montbeliarde Society of Ireland staged an open day on the farm of John and Ann Fitzgerald from the Gobbinstown herd, New Ross, Co Wexford, in mid-June. A huge crowd attended and, according to organisers, there was a lot of positive feedback from farmers who have never used the breed before but were willing to give Montbeliarde a try.

With falling milk prices, Montbeliarde gives farmers a steady income from the sale of quality bull calves as well as a decent cull cow value.

The society wishes John and Ann Fitzgerald every success in the 2015 National Quality Milk Awards. The couple, who have been breeding Montbeliarde cattle for the past 21 years, are one of the finalists in this prestigious competition.

Read more

All about Ploughing 2015