One of the largest and highest-quality suckler herds in the country is dispersing and the farm is switching over to contract-rearing dairy heifers.

The Sherlockstown Herd, based near Sallins, Co Kildare, will sell 89 cows and 11 in-calf heifers at Kilcullen Mart on 16 January.

A further 105 yearlings will be sold off at a later date.

According to farm manager Heinz Eggert, the average replacement index for the herd is €128, while the average of the young stock is approaching €160.

Heinz, on behalf of the farm owners Sheplands Farm Ltd, participated in the first two phases of the BETTER Beef Farm programme.

The owners of the farm have made the decision that contract rearing dairy stock is more profitable now than suckler farming, Eggert said.