ABP Monitor Farms: Spring calving update on 85-cow suckler farm
There are now over 70 cows calved on Wesley Browne’s suckler farm in Co. Monaghan since calving began on February 20. ABP Food Group’s Advantage Beef Programme farm liaison officer Sean Cassidy recently visited the farm to hear how Wesley has been managing this calving season.  The farm is one of the ABP Monitor Farms finishing cattle […] The post ABP Monitor Farms: Spring calving update on 85-cow suckler farm appeared first on Agriland.ie .
Wesley Browne's 85-cow suckler farm in County Monaghan has seen over 70 cows calve since calving began on February 20. The farm, part of ABP Food Group's Advantage Beef Programme and one of the ABP Monitor Farms, is known for finishing cattle in a variety of systems across different land types. ABP Food Group's farm liaison officer, Sean Cassidy, recently visited the farm to learn about the calving season management.
Calving has been smooth so far on the 85-cow farm, with no major issues reported. Wesley Browne has invested in good calving facilities over the years, emphasizing their importance in safely managing cows during calving season. After calving, cows are left in individual pens to bond with their calves for 2-3 days. If weather conditions permit, they are then put out to graze. Cows with their calves are grouped in sets of 10 in well-sheltered paddocks and closely monitored for the initial days.
The primary breeds on the farm are Limousin, Angus, Saler, and Simmental. Four stock bulls are run with the herd. These bulls will be released in early May, and cows will be handpicked and grouped according to their suitability with each bull. When making breeding decisions, all available data is considered. Browne has recently started using The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation's (ICBF) Herd Plus to identify myostatin genes in animals before breeding, aiming to reduce calving difficulties. He also plans to vaccinate the herd for bluetongue before the breeding season.
All male progeny on the farm are finished, while heifers are either retained for replacements or sold for breeding. The bulls are thriving and on track to be finished in the summer as under-16-month bull beef. As they become fit, they are drafted and sent to ABP Clones. Last year's bulls averaged 425kg carcass-weight at 15.3 months.
The farm's success in managing the calving season and breeding decisions highlights the importance of investment in facilities, data-driven approaches, and collaboration with organizations like the ICBF. With a focus on finishing bulls and maintaining a healthy herd, Wesley Browne's farm continues to contribute to the ABP Monitor Farms' reputation for producing high-quality beef.
