Sires
Contributor on 20 Oct 2021
Targeted sire selection pays dividends
As thoughts now turn to breeding in autumn calving herds, CAFRE technologists Aidan Cushnahan and Stephen Gilkinson look at the importance of sire selection.
Kieran Mailey on 15 Sep 2021
NI Sheep Programme: time for pre-breeding checks on rams
With breeding little over one month away for mid-season lambing flocks, now is the time to check the physical condition of rams. Kieran Mailey writes.
Adam Woods on 14 Sep 2021
Watch: Begsgrieve Limousin dispersal hits €4,000
Adam Woods was in Carnaross at the weekend for the Co Meath-based Begsgrieve Limousin herd’s dispersal sale.
Peter McCann on 11 Aug 2021
Captain stays top of Holstein rankings
With a new Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) of £944, it is the fourth time in a row that Genosource Captain has topped the rankings.
Farmers Journal on 28 Jul 2021
Watch back: breeding export weanlings webinar
The Irish Farmers Journal will host a live webinar on Thursday 29 July at 8pm from the farm of Nicholas Bergin, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, on breeding export-type weanlings.
Declan Marren on 21 Jul 2021
Thrive: Dry weather sees cattle housed
Reduced grass growth has seen cattle housed for a period on Diarmuid Murrays farm in Co Roscommon.
Kieran Mailey on 14 Jul 2021
Select rams to benefit the whole flock
Farmers purchasing rams should select a sire that will compliment multiple aspects of flock performance
Noel Bardon on 02 Jun 2021
'Highest ever' use of sexed semen in 'phenomenal' dairy breeding season
In a record breaking season for dairy insemination, sexed semen usage is the 'highest ever', with high EBI Friesian bulls regaining the ground recently lost to Jersey sires.
Declan Marren on 22 May 2021
Thrive: eligible dairy-beef sires for 2022 programme
The Thrive programme has identified sires suitable for the 2022 crop of calves, with nine breeds represented on the list.
Declan Marren on 19 May 2021
Thrive: selecting beef sires for 2022
Declan Marren looks at the Thrive programme sire list for this year and outlines key parameters farmers need to consider.
Contributor on 21 Apr 2021
Beef trends from the dairy herd
Beef coming from the dairy herd has undergone many changes over the past number of years. Andrew Cromie from ICBF takes a closer look at the trends.
Darren Carty on 18 Apr 2021
Newford update: sires selected for 2021 breeding season
A range of sires have been selected that major on different characteristics and which can be used to suit different traits and compensate for any shortcomings across individual cows.
Declan Marren on 24 Feb 2021
Assessing sire performance on the Thrive demonstration farm
There is huge variation between sires used on the Thrive demonstration farm, both across and within breed. Declan Marren writes.
Adam Woods on 20 Jan 2021
Beef Management: breaking budgets buying dairy calves and scanning autumn cows
Adam Woods takes a look at doing budgets when looking at buying dairy calves and scanning autumn-calving cows.
Declan Marren on 16 Jan 2021
Thrive: preparing for calf arrival
The Thrive programme farms are already busy planning for the arrival of this year’s batch of calves.
Peter McCann on 16 Dec 2020
Breeding the ideal cow in Armagh
James Martin is breeding cows to yield over 10,000l. Peter McCann writes
Contributor on 18 Nov 2020
Farmer Writes: adding value with a crossbreeding approach
The cows on Robert McConaghy’s north Antrim dairy farm are predominantly Holstein-bred.
Kieran Mailey on 04 Nov 2020
NI Sheep Programme: Hill breeding off to a positive start
As breeding gets underway on upland and hill flocks, Kieran Mailey speaks to some of the programme farmers about their breeding plans.
Peter McCann on 03 Nov 2020
Winter breeding strategies on Dairylink farms
Autumn-calving Dairylink participants are currently finalising sires for use in the upcoming winter breeding season.
Adam Woods on 22 Oct 2020
In pictures: top of €2,100 at Tullamore Farm heifer sale
The Irish Farmers Journal beef and sheep demonstration farm held its annual sale of in-calf and maiden heifers in Roscrea Mart. Adam Woods has all the prices from the sale.