Jenny-Lou Mrshl Toystory - Opinion

Just calved in my first/only Toystory @ 1y11m. Very snug udder with nice teat placement. enough strength and long legged. Like most have said before the weakest part of this bull is his legs. This heifer is a bit shallow in the heal, but her pasterns are stronger then when she was a calf. I had more calves from Toystory but they all ended up being bulls. - US small dairy holder

i like the bull a whole lot, i work with quite a few toystory's at the moment, their very aggressive eaters, tall and long, the ones that i have worked with lack a little rib. I really like the calves, ive prob seen around 40 calves. - Aussie Farmer

Lisduff Sale

Johnson Countrywide

CO. CORK

LISDUFF - 60 HEAD
PROTEIN TO 4.02% & EBI

Johnson Sells at Lisduff, Whitechurch, SATURDAY 27-9-2008 at 12 noon for John O Sullivan (087-2767222)
Visitwww.lisduffholsteins.com

FANTASTIC DAIRY STOCK (all tested)- (14 day blood test) COMPRISING & SELLING -28 fresh calved heifers freely to 8 galls per day. LISDUFF HEIFER CALVES (superb quality) 14 by Picston Shottle and Sunday Dur Watha. 12 heifers calving Jan/Feb '09 incalf to Shottle Ramos, Romero, Minister, Zeus, all AI service, dams are amongst best Lisduff Cows. 6 BULLS & BULL CALVES for Stock Bulls with A.I. Potential Comparison. ALL STOCK home bred by World Leading Superior AI for Milk & Protein and from Herds greatest International and Irish cow families. EBI FOR SALE Heifers to 157 and Bulls to 174. DAMS YIELDS TO 12348KG (36 over 2000galls) 29 DAMS ARE EX & VG - 4 more GP84. (Dams of first 12 lots are mostly 91 to 88 points.) 60 STOCK SELLING having up to 6 & 7 gens EX & VG with very extensive PRODUCTION and PROTEIN with 20 Dams over 3.5%PR and some dams av 3.77% to 3.56%PR- 3 to 6 lacts. SELLING LISDUFF BEST - LOT 1 giving over 8 gallons with H/C dam VG88 GDam EX92, Lot 2 a T-Threat (Ruud) Emmy- 3EX & 2VG. Lot 3 a Shottle with VG89 Pencol D. Lot 4 a SUPER GOLDWYN. Lots 5,9,15 are EXCEPTIONAL CALVED MARY'S- CREVA- 2 have Shottle Heifer calves (all dams over 3.5% PR to 3.85% & 3.86%PR) all with direct line to CREVA MARY one of Irelands Greatest Cows. Lot 8 - Mr. Sam (Sasha) Dam VG89 - 3.62%PR. Lot 6 - Oman (Leslie) 6 gens EX & VG- EBI-127. Lot 7 Lancelot (Constance) dam EX 90- 3 lacts 10,599KG to 11851KG- av PR 3.48% and many super calved heifers with heifer calves. 2009 CALVERS - 12 heifers calving Jan/Feb 09 inc LOT 31- LORRAINE her dam VG88 with 6 lacts over 2000 gallons with four more dams EX to over 11,000KG. LOT 34 is a RUUD LORRAINE with EBI-91. Lots 36 & 37 are GOLDWYNS (really special). LOT 38 OMAN- LETALE- EBI is 150 (5 gens EX & VG). BULLS FOR BREEDING EBI to 155 (fit to serve) 18 to 13 mths old Dams EX & VG & to 11782KG and to 3.71% Protein. VERY SPECIAL YOUNG BULLS (for the future) LOT 42 has a remarkable Pedigree, Sire To-Mar D Fortune, Dam Amlaid Lee Angel VG88-11030KG @ 3.50%PR - 1st lact LOT 47- EBI-174 Sire Oman-dam Letale (Cytise) 1st recording 32KG, 5.35%BF - 3.7%PR.
CATALOGUES RECOMMENDED & AVAILABLE.
VISITwww.lisduffholsteins.com

Sale signed 5 miles from Cork on New Mallow Road and from Whitechurch

Keenan joint sponsor of World Holstein Friesian conference

Keenan are proud to be joint sponsors of the World Holstein Friesian Conference 2008 which will take place in Ireland from 9th-11th October. This important conference, which only occurs once every 4 years, will be attended by delegates from over 40 countries.

The theme of this year’s Conference is “From Grass to Glass” incorporating technical, scientific and practical sessions on all aspects of milk production from forage intakes through to the shopping basket.

Keenan Chairman, Gerard Keenan says “We are especially pleased that the Conference theme this year is particularly relevant to Keenan, as we will be presenting our new Mech Fiber™ technology at the conference. This patented technology development is a globally significant breakthrough in cow nutrition. It has major benefits for cow performance, milk composition, feed efficiency, costs and profitability – as well as the environment and”.

In addition to having a conference stand, there will be conference presentations by Professor David Beever, Keenan International Nutrition Director, and by Martin Kavanagh MVB, Keenan Veterinary Director:

Professor Beever, (who is a member of the Keenan Scientific Advisory Board) will present “Working together with breeders and scientists – a nutritional solution to match the performance and profit of genetically improved Holsteins” will take place on Thursday 9th October at 15.50 pm.

Martin Kavanagh will present “Delivering nutritional solutions to prevent metabolic disorders” will take place on Friday 10th October at 11.00 am.

Post Conference Activities
As part of the organised post-conference activities, Keenan would like to invite and welcome delegates to visit the modern Keenan Manufacturing facility in Borris, Co, Carlow, as well a number of outstanding farms of Keenan farming customers.“We feel sure that these visits will give a deeper insight into the benefits this System can bring to producers, processors, retailers and consumers”, concludes Gerard Keenan

Dairy Event 2008 – Results

Champion (Interbreed Supreme)
Wills Bros’ Riverdane Astro Romance

Res Champion
Wills Bros’ Bassingthorpe Leader Dilys 10

Hon Mention
D & SM Osborne’s Torvalley Dante Astro

Champion Heifer (and Interbreed)
Wills Bros’ Morsan Breeze Allen Doris
Res Champion Heifer
RA Bown’s Richaven RR Squaw 2

Champion (and Res Interbreed) Ex Bred
D & SM Osborne’s Torvalley Dante Astro
Res Champion (and Res Interbreed) Ex Bred
RA Bown’s Richaven RR Squaw 2

Junior Heifer in Milk
1.RA Bown’s Richaven RR Squaw 2
2.Wills Bros’ Newnton Shottle Destiny
3.RK & SG Miller & Sons’ Moorshard Integrity Finesse 39
4.Worstead Farms’ Smallburgh Zebra Jenny

Senior Heifer in Milk
1.Wills Bros’ Morsan Breeze Allen Doris
2.Sahara Holsteins’ Wiltor September Raven
3.A & D MacKellar’s Drointon Titanic Virtue
4.Downing Partnership’s Wintersell Leona 330

Junior Cow in Milk
1.Wills Bros’ Riverdane Astro Romance
2.Sahara Holsteins’ Cheviotview Talent August
3.WJ Nadin & Co’s Sterndale Allen Ghost
4.RA Bown’s Richaven Journalist Fransci
5.RK & SG Miller & Sons’ Moorshard Jordan Primrose
6.D & SM Osborne’s Torvalley September Ricki

Intermediate Cow in Milk
1.Wills Bros’ Mileoak Stormatic Spotless 2
2.D & SM Osborne’s Trelissick Jogger Pandora 141
3.YK Bradbury’s Almond Lee Anna
4.RK & SG Miller & Sons’ Moorshard Jordan Katey 261
5.Worstead Farms’ Lyngate Bosside Lily

Senior Cow in Milk
1.Wills Bros’ Bassingthorpe Leader Dilys 10
2.D & SM Osborne’s Torvalley Dante Astro
3.RA Bown’s Ketby Bud 85
4.A & D MacKellar’s Cleevale Charles Mania
5.DA Innes’ Limpsfield Lily Phoenix
6.Worstead Farms’ Lyngate Hothead Handsome

Website first in Ireland to provide forum for farmers to view livestock

Mid-west entrepreneurs, Donall O’Connor from Co Clare, and Michael O’Donnell from Co Limerick, founders of www.pedigreecattle.ie described the initiative as the first of its kind in Ireland.

Mr O’Connor said primary research has identified that one of the main complaints farmers have when searching for livestock is that they have to spend valuable time, often several days, travelling to view stock

“Often when they reach the destination, the animals are not as expected and the time is wasted.
“Now, farmers can go online and view the stock available in Ireland and Britain.

“Also, stock can be advertised 24/7 with no deadlines and time limits, providing increased exposure to national and international markets, thereby helping to increase sales,” he said.

In time, it is envisaged that the website will become a social networking platform for farmers and breeders.

Breeders can sign up for free to become a member of the new service and receive a free advertisement.

Michael O’Donnell said their aim is that when the site has developed a critical mass of content that it will be an invaluable resource for the entire farming community.

“We are looking forward to meeting farmers at the forthcoming national ploughing championships in Kilkenny,” said Mr O’Donnell.

“Almost one million cattle were sold outside the mart system in Ireland last year and this is the market we will be targeting in our first year,” he said.

The company is participating in the Limerick Enterprise Acceleration Platform programme which facilitates early stage entrepreneurs.

Clare breeder Shane Brigdale, who has already invested in herd profiles, said rural Ireland and the farming community is facing complex challenges today.

“The agricultural sector needs to become more dynamic and responsive to ensure that it can survive in today’s competitive environment.”

Taaffe selling at Croagh.

CROAGH ANNUAL SALE

WED 1/10/08 @ 12 Noon at Raheen House, Croagh, Rathkeale for Ms Patrick & Derrick Frawley (086-8460190).

The CROAGH SALE- Selling 30 Fresh Calved & Springing Heifers; 1 Deep Pedigreed Maiden Heifer; 4 Bulls Fit For Service (18-22 Months Old) & 5 Bull Calves (1-6 Months Old). Selling Outstanding Fresh Calved Heifers incl FIRST EVER Calved BRAEDALE GOLDWYN (a SUSIE MIST -dam (VG87-2YR) Integrity -Gdam Rubens Susie Mist (EX95)) & REGANCREST MR SAM to sell at auction in Ireland (Great Heifers). Selling SUPER Fresh Calved Heifers incl Canyon-Breeze ALLEN GRETCHEN ( incredible udder) (Pot 8TH GEN EX). Heifers sell from Top cow families by top AI bulls GOLDWYN, SHOTTLE, MR SAM, TITANIC, STORMATIC, TALENT. Selling GREAT BULLS -incl Jan '07 DUNDEE X OCEAN-VIEW DURHAM DORIS (EX94) with 4.00% PROTEIN.

Dairy market gloom

Lakeland Dairies yesterday (Wednesday) cut their August milk price by 2 cent per litre and there are fears that other processors are set to follow the same downward trend. The move follows last Friday's €100 per tonne cuts in the Irish Dairy Board (IDB) butter and skim prices.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed this week that profits for 2008 at the IDB will be sharply down on previous years and the traditional bonus payment to processors is now in serious doubt.

The IDB paid a bonus of €6m to milk processors for 2007, while the 2006 bonus was €11m. Conor Ryan, chief executive of Arrabawn co-op, said he would continue to push the case for a bonus payment from the IDB as it was an important contribution for co-ops trading heavily with the board.

Arrabawn are due to set their August price today.

IDB chief executive Noel Coakley warned that a combination of poorer market returns, higher financing costs and exchange rates will have 'a serious impact' on the IDB's performance in the current year.

Furthermore, consumer reaction to 2007's higher prices has adversely affected returns, with sales of Kerrygold butter in the crucial German market down 12% on previous year levels. This has traditionally been one of the IDB's main profit centres.

Noel Coakley explained that the IDB's financial performance was severely affected in the first half by the carry-over of expensive product purchased in 2007. This was sold into depressed markets at a substantial loss.

The IDB has now changed its procurement policy to avoid a repeat occurrence.
The timing of the announcement will inevitably be seen as preparing farmers for a milk price cut.
However, Coakley said: "it is important that all dairy industry participants are aware of the market realities''. He added: "Market conditions across all products have weakened considerably from the extraordinary heights of 2007.''

From their 2007 peak, he said that official quoted price for butter is down 39%; skim milk powder 45% and whole milk powder 35%.

Irish dairy farmers can only hope that the recent strengthening of the dollar and slowdown in US production growth may help our position.

Imports Risk Bluetongue Spread

In a bid to minimise the threat of bluetongue spreading in Ireland, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has warned against the importation of cattle and sheep. Martin Mc Mahon, beef and cattle committee chairman said that it is worrying that animals are still being imported into Ireland. Mr. McMahon said that this has been verified by the Department of Agriculture. He said: "One of the key measures to prevent the spread of Bluetongue is to cease the import of livestock until such time as the risk from the disease has receded and we receive expert advice that it is safe to resume importing livestock."

According to the beef and cattle committee chairman, anyone importing livestock at the moment is putting our herds at risk and "should cease imports immediately." There have been over 4,500 reported cases of the bluetongue virus in France up to date this year with the disease having already spread to the UK in 2007. There have also been cases of the new variant BTV8 in the Netherlands.

Martin McMahon said that the threat posed by bluetongue to Irish stocks should not be taken too lightly.

Mr. Mc Mahon concluded saying, "With the proper precautions, Ireland can avoid Bluetongue and one of the key instruments towards that end is the suspension of animal imports."

Milk quota situation and meal feeding

Due to the continuous rain in August, cows have lost yield. Nationally what will the milk quota situation be on September 1? Some of our major processors may struggle to fill their milk quota. September is a good month to introduce 2kg of ration to dairy cows. Why? Autumn grass, while it has excellent digestibility and high intake potential, has a lower energy value due to the fact that it is low in water soluble carbohydrate, i.e., sugars. As a result, the response to meal feeding in the autumn is high but the milk yield response achieved will depend on two factors.

The grass allowance to the cows.

The genetic potential of the cow for milk production.

For instance, in a tight grazing situation, allocating 15kg/cow, the milk response rates were similar regardless of genetic potential. A 1:1 response rate was achieved, i.e., a kilogram of milk for every kilogram of ration.

However, if you are allocating 20kg of grass per cow, then the response is reduced to 0.86kg milk per kg of ration fed. Breeds with lower genetic potential for milk yield achieved a response of 0.34kg of milk for each kilogram of ration fed. Clearly this is a loss-making situation.

Meal feeding in the autumn also has the potential to push too much grass ahead of cows, so care is needed.

NI Semex Cow of the year

The eagerly awaited final of the inaugural NI Semex Cow of the Year Competition was held at Wednesday’s Fermanagh County Show, with a huge turnout in attendance at the final judging ceremony. Six year old Glaslough Charles Fancy, sired by Boulet Charles and owned by Ivan and Louise Robinson of Ballygowan, was named as Northern Ireland’s top Semex animal by judge John Dennison.

Leading breeding company Semex UK provided a generous prize fund for the award, with £500 for first place, and a further £675 available for the animals placed second to sixth. 20 qualifying animals in total were judged at the final, all of which had been classed as the top two Semex animals at qualifying shows throughout the summer. Inch Astronomical Delli, owned by John Patterson and qualifier from the Armagh Show, was named as reserve champion, taking home a cash prize of £300.

Top judge John Dennison, of the renowned Denmire herd in Cumbria, commented on the high class of exhibitors at the Show; “The quality of animals on display here today is truly magnificent, and I’d like to congratulate the owners of all the qualifying animals. Glaslough Charles Fancy is a perfect embodiment of Semex’s balanced breeding philosophy - with superb udders and great conformation; she walks well and no doubt has a healthy and productive future ahead of her. ”

Commenting on his success, Ivan Robinson said, “We are absolutely delighted – Fancy really is a first class animal. This is the second championship she’s won in a week, which is testament to what a superb animal she is. She also won at the Winter Fair and was placed reserve in the All Britain Third Calver section. She just gets better and better.”

John Berry, NI Sales Manager for Semex concluded, “The turnout and interest in this competition has been truly exceptional. We have been extremely heartened by the effort the owners have gone to show their animals, travelling from all over the country to be here today. I’d like to extend my gratitude to all the participants and my congratulations to the Robinsons. This is the first year of the Semex Cow of the Year NI award, organised in conjunction with the Fermanagh Farming Society, and we look forward to building on its success in years to come.”

Making Tracks in Kilkenny

Preparations are well and truly under way for the forthcoming National Ploughing Championships, which take place in Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny from Tuesday 23rd September to Thursday 25th September.

The pegging of over 900 or so trade stands, the marquees, the trucks and all the site people was evidence that the site build is well and truly under way and is certainly taking shape. Once again this year, there is a huge diversification of stands attending with Government departments, political parties, semi state bodies, sporting organisations, hotels, education, tourism, property, stockbrokers and investment clubs.

A visit to the Livestock Exhibition promises to be quite an experience as most Pedigree Cattle & Sheep Breed Associations use the Championships to “display their finest animals” and promote the breed as well as having the time to talk to potential clients without the distraction of showing classes makes commercial sense at that time of year.

You can learn to drive at the Ploughing and not be a danger to anyone with Sim 2 Learn – a simulated car, truck and motorbike. Newstalk 104-106FM will be situ for the duration of the event, with popular presenters George Hook, Claire Byrne and Moncrieff bringing you their shows from this hugely popular and well attended event.

Hector will again host the HRI’s ‘Go Racing’ marquee and it is set out to be as interactive and hands-on as possible. There will be tuition on the simulator, live racing showing, arcade-style racing games for people to play, racehorse ownership advice and racing commentator competitions.

Celebrity chefs Neven Maguire and Jenny Bristow will heighten your taste buds with their cookery demonstrations, the ICA will be on site again to give invaluable advice and demonstrations.

Not to mention, the machinery demonstrations, forestry village, hunt chase, pony games, bio energy village, tented lifestyle village, auto arena, Stihl Timbersports World Championships and lots more, The National Ploughing Championships in Farmley, Cuffefgrange, Co Kilkenny is the place to be from Tuesday 23rd September to Thursday 25th September. Tickets are now available by calling the National Ploughing Association on 059 8625125 or logging on to www.npa.ie.