Suckler breeding
Kieran Mailey on 16 Nov 2021
Beef management: Keep an eye for repeat breeding in autumn-calving herds
For autumn-calving suckler herds in the midst of breeding, keep a close eye for cows potentially coming back in to heat.
Kieran Mailey on 23 Oct 2021
Five tips for managing autumn cows through the breeding season
As breeding is about to start for most autumn-calving suckler herds, follow the outlined tips to manage cows.
Kieran Mailey on 20 Oct 2021
In-calf heifers sell to £3,200 at Swatragh
The annual consignment of in-calf heifers at Swatragh Mart saw prices peaking at £3,200.
Kieran Mailey on 19 Oct 2021
Beef management: time for pregnancy scanning spring-calving cows
Farmers operating spring-calving suckler herds should be thinking about pregnancy scanning cows.
Kieran Mailey on 29 Sep 2021
Ten tips for successful use of AI in autumn breeding
Kieran Mailey outlines 10 tips to help get the most from using AI this autumn.
Kieran Mailey on 29 Sep 2021
Which method is more cost effective: AI or natural service?
AI is a common choice for breeding autumn-calving herds. But is it more cost effective than natural service? Kieran Mailey takes a look at typical costs incurred.
Kieran Mailey on 22 Sep 2021
Jalex in-calf heifers hit £6,100 at timed auction
The latest offering of in-calf heifers from the Jalex herd saw a 100% clearance and a top price of £6,100
Kieran Mailey on 24 Aug 2021
Beef management: time to take the stock bull away from spring-calving cows
Breeding should be finished for spring-calving herds, so think about taking the bull away from animals where it is safe to do so.
Kieran Mailey on 30 Jun 2021
Sucklers sell for up to £3,000 at Swatragh
A special sale of 70 breeding females peaked at £3,000 for a Limousin cow with calf at foot in Swatragh Mart.
Kieran Mailey on 30 Jun 2021
Dairy herd driving beef calf increase
Beef calf birth registrations in NI are up in 2021 as more dairy farmers use beef bulls over their cows
Kieran Mailey on 29 Jun 2021
Beef management: Pay attention to repeat breeding activity
Breeding acitivity should be starting to tail off in spring-calving herds. But if herd owners notice a high level of cows coming back in heat, there may be a problem with the stock bull.
Kieran Mailey on 02 Jun 2021
Options for replacing an injured stock bull
With breeding under way on suckler farms, Kieran Mailey outlines the options for replacing an injured or infertile stock bull.
Kieran Mailey on 22 May 2021
Five tips to grouping cows for breeding
Before turning stock bulls out to start the breeding season, herd owners should be looking to put cows in the right breeding groups to suit different herd sires.
Kieran Mailey on 15 May 2021
Five tips for monitoring breeding activity in suckler herds
As breeding gets under way on suckler farms, outlined are five tips to check the level of breeding activity with cows and stock bulls.
Kieran Mailey on 05 May 2021
10 steps to tightening the calving period
Tightening the calving period can remove cows that consistently calve late every year. Kieran Mailey outlines 10 steps to shortening the calving period.
Kieran Mailey on 07 Apr 2021
Five tips for a successful breeding season
With breeding due to start in May for spring calving herds, Kieran Mailey outlines five tips for getting cows back in-calf.
Declan Marren on 07 Apr 2021
Watch back: Tullamore Farm suckler breeding webinar
Watch Tuesday night's suckler breeding webinar where all aspects of the breeding programme on Tullamore Farm were discussed.
Kieran Mailey on 30 Mar 2021
Time for the stock bull's annual check-up
For suckler herds that begin calving in February, breeding starts in May. So now is the time to give the stock bull a pre-breeding check-up.
Kieran Mailey on 16 Feb 2021
Beef management: time to scan autumn-calving cows
Mid- to late-February is a good time to scan autumn-calving cows. Barren animals should be marked for culling and replaced with in-calf heifers later in the year.
Kieran Mailey on 12 Jan 2021
Beef management: time for a mid-winter weight check on replacement heifers
Weighing replacement heifers midway through winter will give a good indication if animals are likely to meet target breeding weights.