Breeding
Olivia scanned the herd on 2nd September. 50 females were scanned in calf which consisted of 11 out of 15 heifers that were bred (73% pregnancy rate) and 39 out of 43 cows bred (91% pregnancy rate) over a 10-week period from 21st May to 1st August.
One cow was scanned with twins. One of the later calving cows was sold which leaves Olivia with 11 heifers and 38 cows to calve down next spring. Calving is due to start on 11th February in 2027. Olivia decided to increase the suckler herd numbers and will be cutting back on ewe numbers to 200 for next year.
The 2 vasectomised bulls are being fed in the shed before sale. They are getting good quality silage and ration. Olivia weighed them on 28th August and they averaged 539kg, after gaining 0.92 kg/day since birth.
Figure 1: The two vasectomised bulls that will be sold to the factory
Animal Health
The herd’s TB test was passed on 14th September which was a welcome relief.
Olivia has started weaning her calves for sale. Preparation started in July with meal feeding using the creep feeder. The calves will be housed with their cows and separated with a gate, so that they can be allowed back in to suckle if necessary. They will be fed good quality silage and continue to get 2kg of ration per head per day until they are settled. A levamisole dose will be given for lung worms and stomach worms before weaning. The calves will be sold at least 2 weeks after weaning.
Figure 2: Some of the calves from cull cows that are being weaned
Performance
One cow was sold live on 28th August at 845kg for €2800 (€3.31/kg) and another on 4th September at 735kg for €2090 (2.84/kg).
The 2026 born bull calves (22) were weighed on 29th August. They averaged 267kg and gained 1.29 kg/day since birth. They ranged from 0.88 kg/day up to 1.63 kg/day from birth.
The 2026 born heifer calves (23) averaged 239kg on the same day, gaining 1.17 kg/day since birth, which ranged from 0.55 kg/day to 1.73 kg/day.
The 2026 born dairy beef heifers (4) averaged 163kg on 29th August and gained 0.71kg/day since birth. The 4 male calves averaged 184kg and gained 0.79kg/day since birth.
The 2025 born suckler heifers (14) averaged 464kg on 28th August. The 2025 dairy beef heifers (11) averaged 415kg and gained 0.72 kg/day since birth. They ranged from 359kg to 489kg, with the 4 JEX heifers fit for sale to the factory.
Figure 3: One of the dairy beef heifers that weighed 410kg on 28th August