Suckler breeding
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.
Declan Marren on 09 Dec 2020
Camera at the Mart: huge demand for quality breeding stock in dispersal sale
Monday's herd dispersal was part of the general sale in Tuam, with over 550 cattle entered on the day.
Kieran Mailey on 17 Nov 2020
Beef management: keep an eye for repeat breeding activity in autumn herds
Farmers operating autumn calving herds should keep an eye for repeat breeding activity from cows served at the outset of the month.
Kieran Mailey on 27 Jun 2020
BEEF Management: Five tips for using AI at grass
As the breeding period for spring calving cows coincides with cows grazing, fewer farmers consider using AI to put cows in-calf. Kieran Mailey outlines some tips to make use of AI.
Kieran Mailey on 24 Jun 2020
Synchronisation creates opportunities for AI
The potential benefits in a suckler herd outweigh the costs, farmers were told at a CAFRE webinar
Kieran Mailey on 20 Jun 2020
Beef management: five herd checks during the breeding season
With breeding well advanced for spring-calving herds, Kieran Mailey outlines a checklist for stock bulls and cows.
Kieran Mailey on 12 May 2020
Beef Management: pay attention to stock bull activity during breeding
With breeding under way, suckler farmers should take time to make sure stock bulls are active, and take action early where problems arise.
Jack Kennedy on 01 May 2020
Watch: Farm Tech Talk - the livestock show
Managing rushes, beef markets improving and a deep dive into cutting costs on dairy farms are all on the menu this week, writes Jack Kennedy.
Matthew Halpin on 18 Feb 2020
Watch: colour and conformation are the key in Clare
Co Clare weanling producer Sean O’Halloran carefully breeds for what the customer wants.
Tommy Moyles on 29 Jan 2020
Farmer Writes: the blind bull and his rewards
Tommy Moyles had an earlier than expected start to calving in 2020.
Matthew Halpin on 26 Jun 2019
BETTER farm: five-star lineup at first summer walk
Matthew Halpin previews the first BETTER farm summer open day of 2019, which takes place on Wesley Browne’s farm in Monaghan.
Matthew Halpin on 16 Apr 2019
Suckler margin for 2018 breaks €1,100/ha in Kildalton
At the recent suckler breeding open day in Kildalton Agricultural College, visitors were given a breakdown of the suckler herd’s physical and financial performance in 2018.
Phelim O'Neill on 14 Apr 2019
Markets and breeding: control the things you can control
Factory prices may be depressing, but it is essential that farmers do what they can to maximise the value of what they produce at the lowest cost.
Matthew Halpin on 14 Nov 2018
Suckler tradition living strong in Mayo
Beef specialist Matthew Halpin looks at Mayo beef farming in numbers and speaks to two Mayo suckler farmers.
Kieran Mailey on 03 Aug 2016
AI breeding pays off on Sligo suckler farm
Co Sligo farmer Glen McDermott increased his suckler herd from 18 cows to 42 cows and switched to using AI for breeding with excellent results.
Kieran Mailey on 20 Jul 2016
New cattle steering group on breeding data
A new steering group has met this week, tasked with getting more accurate recording of breeding data on pedigree bulls.