Suckler farming

Spotting an opening in the market, Martin Tumilty has moved from rearing stores to producing high-quality suckler replacements on his Co Down farm. Kieran Mailey reports.

It would be safe to say demand almost exceeded supply at the spring-born weanling show and sale in Iveragh Co-operative Mart this week. Bulls between 300kg and 350kg were competed strongly for.

TB was the main event on Tommy Moyles' farm last week as the annual herd test took place. If that wasn't enough, he attended a meeting on the subject on the eve of reading the test.

Adam Woods visits Davy Boles who farms a suckler herd just outside Lisbellaw in Co Fermanagh.

An upcoming TB test could see grazing for some stock come to a wind down earlier than expected, after a difficult grass-growing year on Tommy Moyles' farm at Ardfield, Clonakilty, Co Cork.

Successful young farmers under the initiative will be able to avail of support of up to €400 to put towards the cost of a maiden heifer.

The closing date for the scheme which offers payment of €35 for meal feeding and €15 for vaccinating calves up to a maximum of 40 head is 11.59pm on 24 September 2024.

Teagasc beef specialist Aidan Murray told farmers that feeding meal to weanlings will generate twice the return on investment.