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“With prices the way they are at the moment, the two biggest factors that are going to keep a person in business or make them go broke is to produce as many kilos of beef as you possibly can through grass an milk,” said John Flaherty on Tuesday night.
Great crowd at the Flaherty’s walk here in Castleisland. Just kicking off. Particularly good to see so many interested students from local secondary schools! pic.twitter.com/wSVp7B8c7E
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
John Flaherty on BEEP:
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
“The dairy man can see the milk coming into the tank. The ONLY way we can see what cows are performing is by weighing.”
Listen for some more great points... #BETTERfarm pic.twitter.com/VRTzVaJQCQ
A crowd of 100 people descended on the Flaherty farm in Castleisland, Co Kerry, for the first in a two-part series of BETTER Farm autumn walks. Father and son duo John and James are running a herd of 45 spring-calving continental suckler cows.
“Stocking rate on the farm went up to 2.12LU/ha from 1.35LU/ha but went back slightly to 1.9LU/ha after the and year in 2018.”
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
Does James think he will be able to hit his stocking rate target of 2.3LU/ha? Listen to find out... pic.twitter.com/jkaXpR8Qxg
It was previously a weanling-selling farm, but bulls are now slaughtered under 16 months, and heifers are either kept as replacements or finished too.
Performance
The farm’s Teagasc BETTER Farm adviser John Greaney was on hand at the first board on the day to go through the farm’s system along with the physical and financial performance to date.
A summary of the financial performance to date and the projected performance (which likely won’t be achieved at current beef prices).#BETTERfarm pic.twitter.com/6jtZ28ePhm
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
Breeding
Those in attendance will have noticed that breeding on the farm is excellent. Since joining the programme in 2017, the farm has moved towards 100% AI.
A full cocktail of breeds is used here. The makeup of the herd is 50-75% Parthenaise. CH, SI, LM, AA and SA sires now used. No stock bull.
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
What are your favorite AI sires James?...#BETTERfarm pic.twitter.com/eKxdjltXWr
The second stop on the day featured an in-depth look at breeding, as well as the latest BEEP weighing results taken a fortnight ago. Teagasc BETTER Farm adviser Tommy Cox and local Teagasc adviser Jimmy Lyons presented.
Local @teagasc adviser Jimmy Lyons talking about the BEEP scheme.
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
“Putting money aside, it would be a pity after going to all the trouble to weigh the cow and the calf not to use this information to make better breeding and management decisions.” pic.twitter.com/i6NitYzYdl
Grass
Being an ex-dairy farm, grassland management and grazing infrastructure is impressive. Since joining the programme, grass measuring and reseeding have created even more potential.
Michael O’Leary of @PastureBase talking about reseeding and it’s benefits.
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
“Reseeding isn’t for every farm. Just because your neighbor is doing it, doesn’t mean you have to.”
“If you haven’t sprayed off ground yet, leave the spray in the drum until next spring.” #BETTERfarm pic.twitter.com/FU2zKrEH9G
The farm’s local Teagasc adviser Eugene O’Doherty and Michael O’Leary of PastureBase had a good discussion on said topics.
The farms local @teagasc adviser going through the importance of good grassland management and proper grazing infrastructure.
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
“With margins tight, a simple thing like buying a reel and pigtails is a great option to cut costs and manage grass effectively” #BETTERfarm pic.twitter.com/VkkhbXff6P
Health
The final stand on the day centred on herd health with farm vet Stephen Murphy. A three-pronged approach – husbandry practices, herd management and targeted vaccine use – is the key to managing herd health.
This year’s bull calves with their dams...
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
“For me the only way to get the perfect calf and weanling to finish is through AI”
The farm is 100% AI...”after a couple of days getting used to the system, it was a piece of cake” #BETTERfarm pic.twitter.com/bb72jdFwa9
The Flahertys learned this the hard way, however, after a bout of pneumonia in spring 2018 led to 14 calf fatalities.
Improving ventilation and implementing a rigid vaccination plan have stemmed this issue.
James and John spring born heifer calves...some smashers in this group #BETTERfarm pic.twitter.com/Pi6hMkZOZv
— FJ Beef (@FJBeef) September 10, 2019
Tommy Holmes
On Thursday 12 September at 5pm, Tommy Holmes opens up the gates of his suckler- and store-to-beef holding in Ballina, Co Mayo. Eircode F26 K7W0.
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