Calving interval

Tight rein needed on breeding in NI suckler scheme

To avail of the payment, herds must meet a reducing calving interval while the age at first calving for heifers will reduce to 30 months of age in year three of the scheme.

SUCKLERS 10 June 2026

Tight rein needed on breeding in NI suckler scheme

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Sucklers brought back on track in the Belfast Hills

Sucklers brought back on track in the Belfast Hills

NORTHERN IRELAND 10 June 2026

Only 60% of sucklers to get £100 payment

Only 60% of sucklers to get £100 payment

NORTHERN IRELAND 13 May 2026

Steers average 372kg dead and heifers 331kg in Newford Farm

Steers average 372kg dead and heifers 331kg in Newford Farm

Steers average 372kg dead and heifers 331kg in Newford Farm

NEWS 24 April 2026

88% of cows calved in six weeks in Newford Farm

88% of cows calved in six weeks in Newford Farm

88% of cows calved in six weeks in Newford Farm

MANAGEMENT 15 April 2026

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Year two brings changes to suckler cow scheme

Year two brings changes to suckler cow scheme

David Wright looks at the changes applying to the suckler cow scheme from 1 April 2026.

NORTHERN IRELAND 1 September 2025

Five-star weanlings worth up to €500/hd more

Five-star weanlings worth up to €500/hd more

Analysis of weanlings sold in 2025 shows five star genetics delivering heavier and higher value weanlings, while five star dams had a shorter calving interval

BEEF BREEDING 1 September 2025

Focus on breeding at Newford open day

Focus on breeding at Newford open day

The event which takes place on Wednesday 22 April will showcase how heat detection aids, good handling facilities and compact calving can reduce labour while allowing selection of superior genetics.

SUCKLERS 1 September 2025

My sucklers are missing the profit gene

My sucklers are missing the profit gene

John Egerton recently took part in a pilot programme ahead of the rollout of the Bovine Genetics Project in NI.

FARMER WRITES 1 September 2025

Editorial: breeding evolution in farm system limbo

Editorial: breeding evolution in farm system limbo

Alongside the base change, the financials that drive the economic values in the models that drive the breeding scores have changed.

VIEWPOINTS 1 September 2025

Worth taking time to assess suckler data

Worth taking time to assess suckler data

Calving data for suckler herds is now available to view online via the DAERA website

NORTHERN IRELAND 1 September 2025

New suckler cow calculator for NI farmers

New suckler cow calculator for NI farmers

The new Suckler Cow Calculator will allow NI farmers to calculate age at first calving and calving interval targets for individual animals in their herd.

NORTHERN IRELAND 1 September 2025

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National Dairy Council bridging the urban-rural divide through school farm visit

Kildare dairy farmer welcomed students as part of a National Dairy Council initiative, which saw 1,500 pupils across Ireland visit working dairy farms during May.

National Dairy Council bridging the urban-rural divide through school farm visit

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