Reducing labour at breeding on John and James Dunne’s Future Beef farm
Farming in Portarlington, Co. Offaly, father and son team and participants in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme, John and James Dunne have focused on efficiency when it comes to breeding their suckler herd.
Operating a highly profitable and progressive beef system, combing 79 suckler cows and a 140-head dairy beef enterprise, an oestrous synchronisation programme and fixed-time AI is followed.
This protocol is central to improving labour efficiency and breeding replacements on their busy farm. Additionally, it allows the Dunnes to plan their workload around those times, and – once calved next spring – it helps with other routine tasks like disbudding, castration and vaccination.
Following the protocol, cattle are only handled three times – firstly for progesterone device insert, secondly for device removal and finally for fixed time AI. The programme commenced on April 13 and 55 cows, all over 35 days calved, were bred to two high index maternal sires Lis-Na-Ri Gucci (SI4250) and Rubyjen Here’s Johnny (SI4350) – selected for fertility, milk and calving ease. Heifers are bred to Angus stock bull to ensure easy calving, while the remaining cows are bred to the Charolais stock bull, who was be turned out at the beginning of May.
Upcoming open day
A National Future Beef Farm Walk will take place on Friday, 5th June at 6:30pm on the farm of John and James Dunne in Portarlington, County Offaly.
Farmers attending the event will hear how the Dunnes manage profitability, breeding and grassland management and finishing performance. Visiting farmers will also learn how the Dunnes focus on home-grown grain feeding, and see a newly developed cattle handling facility, which will be on display on the night.
Speaking ahead of the farm walk Martina Harrington, Teagasc Future Beef Programme Manager said: “2025 has been a very positive year for suckler farmers, with favourable weather conditions and strong beef prices contributing to improved profitability.
“The Dunne farm is an excellent example of what can be achieved through quality genetics, effective management and careful cost control. Their upcoming farm walk will offer valuable practical insights for farmers aiming to boost performance and profitability on their own farms.”
This farm walk promises to deliver practical, real-life insight into profitable beef farming systems and is not to be missed for any progressive suckler or beef farmer.
Dawn Meats is kindly sponsoring the event and will provide food and refreshments afterwards. This is a free event and all suckler farmers are welcome to attend.
For more information on the Future Beef event on John and James Dunne’s farm, visit here.