Today I was shown the suckler herd at the Ballyhaise Tegasc Research Centre Co Cavan.
Tara Fitzsimons talked me through the process of selecting bulls for the herd.
She discussed the recent change of the calving system in place. The 50-cow herd used to be split into autumn- and spring-calving to allow students to gain experience of both systems.
It is now just spring-calving. Replacements are reared and all other progeny is brought to beef.
Managing a moderate stocking rate
There is a total of 200 cattle of various types and 100 are finished every year. The cattle are managed on a low-cost system at a moderate stocking rate.
I was shown the two Charloais bulls who were housed in the shed. Damien showed me their figures and stars using the online herdbook.
We moved a group of Simmental cross heifers into the crush. We then weighed and recorded their weights.
Damien spotted that one of the heifers was in heat. He artificially inseminated her using bulls that they had preselected for that breeding season.
We brought in the older cows and calves and weighed and recorded them.
Before we brought the cattle out to the field, as there is strip grazing in place, we moved the fence forward to allow more grass for the cattle.
We fastened the chinball harness on the teaser bull and filled it with ink. We then let him out with the suckler herd. It will be easy to spot what cows are in heat with this method.
Scotland
I had a great learning experience here at Ballyhaise, I would like to thank all the college staff for their help and time dedicated to me.
For my next work placement I will be travelling to the home of Dolly the sheep, the Roslin Institute in Scotland.