Dairy
We are coming to the end of March now, and the likelihood is that all the dairy replacement calves are on the ground...
Sheep
While farmers are finishing lambs and selecting their flock for breeding, consideration must be given to the management of replacements.
Dr. Joe Patton, and Kevin Downing explore the key traits required in dairy replacements to maximise income on Irish dairy farms.
Renowned for their mothering abilities, the Borris ewe has formed the backbone of many Irish sheep flocks down through the generations.
Beef
How farmers choose and manage their heifers are some of the most important decisions that will be made on farms this year, according to Teagasc's Eoin Woulfe.
Farmers have been offered the opportunity to invest in some of the best up and coming genetics through the ICBF's Gene Ireland bull programme.
Calving heifers down at 24 months makes commercial sense and is critical to suckler farming success.
Rearing replacement heifers is a key component of suckler herd management.
Calving heifers at two years is vital for the profitability of the suckler herd, but there are a number of factors that must be considered.
Dairy farmers should aim to provide cows with an 8 week dry period
Saler and Angus bulls dominate the replacement index evaluation and account for eight out of the top 10 performing bulls, says the ICBF.
A key question facing many suckler farmers in the new BDGP is wheater it's worth their while breeding their own replacements.
