 |
 |
|
 |
commericial herd article |
|
|
|
news / commercial herds /Limousins make the grade on Limavady suckler farm Outwintered Limousin cross suckler cows hold their flesh well, withstand the weather and are long lasting and good mothers say Northern Ireland producers Richard and Leslie Allison.
Brothers Richard and Leslie Allison run a commercial suckler enterprise at Limavady, just under the shadow of the County Londonderry landmark, Eagle Rock. The 600 acre farm is made up of sandy soil, which is not suitable for cropping, but ideal for carrying livestock all year round. They have been keen supporters of the Limousin breed for over 15 years, and their 200 cow herd comprises of mainly Limousin/Angus and Limousin/Simmental cows. "We have found that the Limousin cows are ideal for our farming system. They are medium sized and hold their flesh well, they are hardy and can withstand the winter weather, and most of all they are long lasting and have good mothering ability," explained Leslie. "Limousin cows are fertile, and have the ability to produce a saleable calf. When treated with respect they have a good temperament and are easily worked with and managed," added Richard.
These will mostly be Limousin cows by Valide, a bull imported from France and used successfully by Jim Quail, Banbridge, and a Shire Evan son owned by the McCauleys of Toomebridge. Both bulls were purchased in 1993. Daim semen has also been used on these cows. Leslie and Richard saw Daim daughters at Ian Nattress' farm and were impressed with their overall type, consistency and milking ability. A few almost pure Limousin cows have been inseminated with Simmental semen to promote hybrid vigour, and these heifer calves will be kept as replacements. Thirty of the best heifers are retained and bulled at around twenty months of age, calving at two-and-a-half-years-old. The remainder are sold at local marts, either as breeding females or to the butcher trade. In June, Richard and Leslie realised a ready trade for 17 maiden heifers at Ballymoney Mart in County Antrim. These sixteen-month-old heifers averaged 397 kilos and sold at £477 per head. The beef heifers were sold at Cullybackey Mart. They were around twenty-months-old and averaged 550 kilos, selling at around the £1 per kilo mark. Steers are fed four to six pounds per head of a beef blend ration at grass from twelve weeks prior to slaughter. Richard and Leslie kill all their cattle at Foyle Meats in Londonderry, where they are members of a Tesco producers' scheme. Steers are kept until they have taken two punches and put away at twenty-two-months of age. They recently killed 35 steers which averaged 386 kilos per head. The grades obtained were: 5 Rs, 28 Us and 2 Es. The herd is split into spring and autumn calvers, which spreads labour and cuts down on the number of stock bulls required. The calves are weaned off the cows at around eight-months-old.
All stock on the farm is outwintered. The cows are fed a diet of silage and straw, which is supplemented by a 14% protein beef blend until settled in calf. There are currently two Limousin stock bulls on the farm, both of which were purchased at the society's show and sale at Carlisle. The first one to join the herd was Hartside Liquorice an August 95 born Cloughhead Charlie son bred by Johnny Thompson, Penrith. He was bred from a dam by the NI-bred Lynderg Blaise, and purchased for 3,400gns. He is very easy calving and used on all heifers. Greenwell Nathan was purchased from Durham-based breeders, Messrs. Nattress and Sons, for 3,600gns. Born in June 97, he was sired by Igolo, and bred from a dam by the French-bred Daim. "Nathan is a very muscly, easily fleshed bull. He is bred off a milky dam, a trait which we hope will be passed on to his female progeny," added Leslie, who has considered taking semen from the bull for their own use. The brothers are assisted on the farm, which is also home to a flock of 200 Suffolk/Texel ewes, by their father and uncle, who help with the day-to-day running and routine husbandry tasks. They take one cut of silage each year, usually in the region of 160 acres, which is treated with additive in unfavourable conditions. Grass is allowed to build up during late summer for strip grazing during October and November. Around 20 to 30 acres is reseeded annually. |
|||
|
||||
The suckler replacements are all home-bred on the farm. Careful consideration
goes into the selection of cows from which to breed replacement females.
Their admiration for the Limousin breed prompted Leslie and Richard
to establish the seven-cow Scotchtown pedigree herd three years ago.
Making their debut at this year¡s Portadown show and sale, they
lifted the reserve supreme championship and realised 1,950gns. for
a son of Ideal - the stock bull in Tom and Finbar O'Brien's Newry-based
herd.
