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 calved since calving began on February 20. The farm, part of ABP Food Group's Advantage Beef Programme, is one of the ABP Monitor Farms that finish cattle in a variety of systems across the country. 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. Browne has invested in good calving facilities over the years, emphasizing their importance for safely managing cows during calving season. Once cows are calved, they are left in individual pens to bond for 2-3 days before being put out to graze if weather conditions permit. Cows with their calves are then grouped in sets of 10 in well-sheltered paddocks and closely monitored for the first few days.
The primary breeds on the farm are Limousin, Angus, Saler, and Simmental, with four stock bulls running with the herd. These bulls will be released in early May, and cows will be handpicked and grouped according to each bull to ensure optimal breeding outcomes. When making breeding decisions, Browne considers all available data, including recently starting the use of The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation's (ICBF) Herd Plus system. This tool helps identify myostatin genes in animals before breeding to reduce calving difficulties.
Browne also plans to vaccinate the herd for bluetongue before the breeding season begins. 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, the bulls will be drafted and sent to ABP Clones. Last year's bulls averaged 425kg carcass weight at 15.3 months, showcasing the farm's successful finishing program.
The ABP Monitor Farms are integral to ABP Food Group's commitment to improving beef production standards across Ireland. By providing farmers with the necessary resources and support, these farms help drive innovation and efficiency in the industry, ensuring a sustainable and high-quality beef supply for the future.
