Saintfield farm ready to host suckler event

On Thursday, March 24, from 1pm fellow farmers can view the results of on farm AFBI research supported by AgriSearch.

A busy farm vet since 1993 Michael will be calving 70 cows and lambing 300 ewes on his own farm at Saintfield Demesne this spring. A busy time that is a common scenario for many suckler farmers, who also have sheep to lamb.

Synchronisation has given Michael the ability to serve a batch of cows so that they are calving before the lambing starts, allowing him to devote more time to the calves as they are born. Michael demonstrates that good housing and able staff is the key to balancing these two enterprises successfully. Over tired folk make foolish mistakes so making best use of time and energy is essential to any farm business.

The Griffith family have a batch of synchronised cows due the week of the farm walk so it will be interesting to see their calves as they hit the ground.

Using maternal and terminal AI sires along with stock bulls allows for comparison between calving ease and calf quality.

An event not to be missed on Thursday, March 24 from 1pm at 71, Old Belfast Road, Saintfield, Co Down, BT24.

The other two AgriSearch events next week are: Tuesday, March 22, at 1pm, host Stephen Maguire, Congo, Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh BT94 4PN and Wednesday, March 23, at 1pm, hosts Kenneth and David McKinstry, 83, Ballyneil Road, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry, BT45 7TE.

Clean boots and clothing to be worn and full bio security measures essential.