Due to its increasing popularity, the Fleckvieh cattle breed will be exhibiting at this year’s Ploughing. The Fleckvieh stand will be located in the livestock section and dairy farmers are invited to come along and discuss how this dual-purpose breed can play a part in their enterprises.

The exhibit will mainly feature cows in milk. The cows on display will include pedigree and crossbred Fleckvieh from different systems.

The added sale value of a quality calf and long-term cull value of the cows are certainly attracting farmers to this versatile breed.

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The popularity of the breed with dairy farmers is steadily growing.

This growth is predominantly based on farmer testimony and there is no better advertisement than farmers who are currently using Fleckvieh, highlighting the positive impact the breed is having on their herds, in terms of ease of management and overall profit.

Breed secretary, Peadar Glennon, told the Irish Farmers Journal that the following key attributes of the breed will be clearly highlighted to dairy farmers on this year’s stand. The following traits, he added, should get farmers thinking about the positives of Fleckvieh.

Milk volume

Many Irish farmers are achieving over 7,000l with their pure and cross-bred Fleckvieh. A lot of farms are surprised to see the Fleckvieh crosses producing more milk than their mothers.

Fertility

Fleckvieh cows are very fertile, due to their ability to hold their condition so well in the months after calving – because they have a flatter lactation curve, not peaking as high in early lactation, and milking on better later in the year.

Calf value

Half-bred Fleckvieh-cross calves have been topping the calf sales regularly this year, and a lot of the three-quarter-bred calves don’t even make it to market, as many farmers have waiting lists of people to buy them off farm.

Beef value

Similarly with cull price now making up a larger percentage of overall returns, Fleckvieh cows are delivering.

High health

Fleckvieh cows are easily managed, always in good condition resulting in noticeably fewer herd health issues.

Sustainability

A dairy cow that also has an increased beef merit is the way forward in terms of sustainability and Fleckvieh is the breed to deliver from this perspective.

Stand

The Fleckvieh stand number is 80, so be sure to call in and see what this up-and-coming breed has to offer.