Preparing for a Successful Spring Calving Season - James Skehan скачать в хорошем качестве

Preparing for a Successful Spring Calving Season - James Skehan

In this video, we visit James Skehan, FutureBeef Programme participant who farms alongside his wife Joanne on their suckler to beef farm in Ballynevin, O’Briensbridge, Co. Clare. James outlines how he manages the herd pre calving and what practices he puts in place in order to achieve a successful spring calving season. James farms 72 acres, operating across three separate land blocks. He runs a spring-calving suckler herd of 28 cows, selling male progeny as 18-month-old stores. Surplus heifers not required for breeding are also sold as stores. A compact calving system is central to the farm’s operation, with approximately 66% of the herd bred through AI and the remaining cows served by a high terminal-index Limousin stock bull. AI sires used to generate replacements (CH5980, SI4350, SI8520 and AA9860) have an average replacement index of €172, with strong emphasis placed on milk yield, fertility and carcass traits. In this video, James outlines his approach to pre-calving management, focusing on hygiene, nutrition, and health practices that optimize animal performance. Discover how targeted preparations set the stage for a busy and productive calving season ahead.