Michael Reilly farms at Willowfield just outside Ballinamore, Co Leitrim. Alongside his wife Geraldine, daughters Sarah Beth and Grace and son Mikey, Michael operates a 45-cow suckler herd, selling weanlings and store cattle.

Charolais

Charolais is the number one breed for Michael and he aims to produce 60 U-grading weanlings and stores on a consistent basis in the coming years. To facilitate this, the herd is expanding, with the introduction of 20 heifers this year, 16 of which are in-calf to an Angus stock bull. The remaining four black Limousin heifers were bought in-calf to Limousin bull EBY.

The stock bull is Mullawn Noble, a CF52-sired bull from a Pirate (PTE)-sired dam who was purchased at the Charolais Premier in Elphin in spring 2018. Noble is producing some top-quality stock on a consistent basis for the Reillys.

Charolais bull calf off this blue-cross cow and the Charolais stock bull.

Autumn calving is taking place just now with everything calving in a paddock close to the yard.

In order to maximise the number of calves sired by Noble, there are currently three calving periods throughout the year: January, May and August-September.

“Calving ease is very important to us and Noble is ticking the boxes here in that regard. We also carefully manage cows' diets and condition in the final six weeks pre-calving which can alleviate a lot of calving issues,” explains Michael.

Heifers are mated to an Angus bull for their first calf.
Lim-cross replacement heifers bought in-calf to EBY.

In-calf Limousin heifer due in about six weeks time.

“Up until this year we have never fed calves concentrates pre-weaning. Even now, we just feed for the four weeks necessary to fulfil the BEEP-S requirement. I want a cow that will produce a good calf from grass only. She has to have plenty of milk to do that. I am growing numbers but I would not hold on to a cow if she is not performing just to make up the numbers.”

“I really enjoy the breeding side of farming and take great pride in producing a good-quality calf. I want to continue to grow the herd and get the farm to a level where it can provide a substantial income in the future.”

Read the full story in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.