BVD buyer beware

A beef finisher from Athboy, Co Meath, got in touch with the Dealer to tell of an unfortunate case of ‘buyer beware’.

About six weeks ago, David Drum (not the banker type) bought a weanling from a farmer in the south of the country.

The weanling was born in November and, as it was born before 1 January 2013, it didn’t have to be compulsory tested for BVD.

Drum tested the animal for BVD on his own initiative and found it was a persistently infected (PI) calf so he had to cull it.

As the calf was born in 2012, the calf had to be tested and Drum, as result, must carry the responsibility.

He finishes approximately 300 cattle a year and has warned other farmers to ensure that animals bought before 2013 are BVD tested.

It is an unfortunate scenario but as all calves must now be tested, the Dealer hopes that this problem will be a thing of the past.

Farmers Journal doesn’t endorse painters

As Barrack Obama would say, ‘Let me make this clear’ – the Irish Farmers Journal does not endorse builders or painting contractors.

The Dealer got a number of calls and reports in the past month of a painting contractor operating in the Kildare/Westmeath/Meath part of the country who, as you can see in the picture, carries a Journal logo on his van and trailer.

The contractor is known as Countrywide Painting and is based in Newbridge.

If you hear or see anything similar to this then please get in touch to alert us.

Dispersal of two welln known pedigree herds

Two well known herds will disperse their herds over the next week. Long time Limousin breeder Ray Carolan, Virginia, Co Cavan, will offer his entire Carwin pedigree herd for sale on Saturday 14 September.

Established in 1985, the Carwin herd has bred several top bulls and dams over the years while Ray himself is well known in breeding circles having spent a term as president of the Irish Limousin Society from 1991 to 1994.

Meanwhile, Clongowes Wood College will say goodbye to its pedigree dairy Holstein herd on Tuesday 10 September when 157 milkers along with 49 autumn calvers and 36 heifer calves will go under the hammer.

Under the expert eye of farm manager Pat Fanning, the herd has used top genetics over the years, making it one of the finest Holstein herds to be dispersed in recent times.

A few days later, on Saturday 14 September, all the young stock at Clongowes will be offered to include 79 spring calving heifers and 67 bulling heifers.