Stephen Frend, Farm Manager of the Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm in Athenry, Co. Galway gives an update on what's been happening in Newford Farm. Calving is all finished on the farm for the last number of weeks and they are currently breeding. Stephen gives an update on the year so far.

Calving went well on Newford Farm this year with 95% of the cows calved within the first six weeks. Calving started on the 24th January with 80 of the 89 cows calved by the 1st March. Luckily, the weather in February was very good and allowed for an early turnout of cows and calves. However the weather broke around the 10th March so all of the cows and calves were housed for a period of 3 weeks. The cows were back out on the 1st April and the last cow calved on the 4th April.

Calving wasn't long finished when they were straight into preparation for the breeding season. Three weeks prior to breeding, all the cows received their leptospirosis booster vaccine along with mineral boluses. The cows were also tail painted which allowed for pre breeding heat detection in the three weeks in the lead up to breeding. Breeding started on the 24th April. There was a team of seven AI bulls selected for breeding on Newford Farm this year based on the usual criteria.

Yearling stock are also doing well out at grass with all stock being turned out on the 1st April. Previous to this, yearling heifers had been turned out on the 26th January but were rehoused for three weeks on the 10th March due to the bad weather.

Silage ground was closed around the 10th April and received 3,000 gallons per acre of slurry as well as 55 units of protected urea. Grass growth has been slow but is getting going in recent weeks.

Find out more by attending the Newford Suckler Open Day which takes place on Tuesday, 23rd May from 2pm - 6pm in Athenry, Co. Galway. More details on www.teagasc.ie/newford