On the farm of John Pringle, Sunnyhill Farm, Kilacloran, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow.
On Friday evening last (May 29th) Teagasc held a National Beef Farm Walk on the Farm of John Pringle, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow. In glorious sunshine, a very large crowd gathered to see firsthand how John and his family run their first class suckler & sheep enterprise.
The suckler herd consists of 50+ spring calving cows. Breeding his own replacements which are calved down at 24 months of age, with surplus heifers sold as replacements. All bulls are finished at 15 months of age reaching carcass weights of 400 kgs.
230 mid season lambing ewes are also run on this 52.8 ha block of land
Simmental is the predominant breed on the farm, with the weight gain achieved from milky Simmental cows the key reason why young bulls can achieve carcass weights of 400kgs at 15 months without excessive creep prior to weaning. Currently there are two Simmental bulls plus one Limousin bull on the farm. John is a key advocate of always having enough bull power when required at breeding time and also having a bull in place at least 4 months before required. This allows the bull time to adjust and be ready for work.
The Simmental cows are weaning calves up to 1.3kgs average daily gain without creep and this enables John’s young bulls reaching the slaughter weights outlined above. Similarly, it ensures that the heifer calves are advanced enough to allow them be mated for 24 months old calving which is also important as a profit driver.
Key Take Home Message
Attention to good grassland management coupled with good genetics can leave Suckler Farming profitable and Simmental has the milk & growth rate to allow targets be met, to allow profit be achieved.
Thanks to the Pringle Farmily & Teagasc for a great evening.
