REPORT: Irish Pure Friesian OPEN DAY

The Irish Pure Friesian Club, had a very successful open day at the Firoda Herd of Peadar and Maureen Healy and family on Saturday 25thth July 2009.

It was a very successful day with a very large attendance despite the present doom and gloom over milk prices .

Peader Healy and family are farming in very difficult conditions in Firoda near Castlecomer Co. Kilkenny. The farm ,on the Castlecomer plateau has very heavy soils, to the extent that most of it needs draining as often as more free draining soil would need re-seeding. If neglected for any length of time the land would very quickly revert to rushes and furze. The land is mole drained and gravel filled on a regular basis to make the ground more suitable for Dairy Farming. Grassland management on this soil type is very challenging, especially in a wet spring. Peader tries to keep cows out as much as possible but young stock had to be rehoused a number of times this spring as conditions were just too wet. It is in these conditions that the Firoda Pedigree herd of Pure Friesian cows has survived and even flourished over the last 60 years. Peader and his father before him have stuck with a Pure Friesian herd of cows over the years as in their experience this is the most suited cow to this farming system.

ADDED VALUE:Peadar uses best practice in breeding of Pedigree registration, Classification, Milk recording and selects high milk Friesian bulls with good EBI to achieve his goals. Peadar commented on the importance of maintaining efficiency of milk yield in the breed.Peadar has successfully built in Longevity and fertility in his cows, 25 cows on the farm average 5 lactations with an average EBI 105.
This feature of the herd allows him sell 20 to 30 heifers per year. The Teagasc advisor Tom Downey expressed this “added value” as the equivalent of six cent per litre in the milk price. There is always a huge demand for breeding stock from the farm.. Satisfied customers come back year after year with very little advertising needed, a huge endorsement for Peader's breeding policy. The income from these sales helps to increase overall farm output annually so this is an 80 cow herd punching well above it's weight.
Longlife Cows at Firoda
Following on was a special presentation of 6 cows from the “ Twink” cow families showing four generation of breeding still milking on the farm.These cows had an average of 40 lactations in total with one cow on her 12th Lactation. They tipify what the Friesian breed is all about. These are durable, longlife, fertile cows that are capable of producing large volume of milk with excellent solids and breed back in calf every year.There is great variation in the breed to suit all farming systems..
Herd Average:.The herd average for 2008 is 1353 gallons @ 3.63 % Fat, 3.54 %
Grassland management a key factor in profitability A very large crowd gathered at the Teagasc discussion where the local adviser Tom Downey spoke on the difficult grazing conditions on the farm and showed how the EBI sub Indexes can be used to improve fertility and production.
IHFA:
John Kirby a member of the field staff at IHFA gave a practical demonstration on Linear scoring and how breeding for correct conformation,especially in feet and Legs and udders can improve survivability.Charles Gallagher CE of IHFA commented on the “ Variation “ the Pure Friesian brings to the Black and White breed and how the Firoda herd is an example to all dairy farmers of what can be achieved by staying within the breed.This is what makes the breed different and the envy of all other Dairy Breeds.The Irish Pure Friesian has the fertility ,survivability coupled with efficiency of production.
The evening ended with welcome refreshments provided by the Healy family.

Friesian Open Day - Saturday 25th July '09

Firoda Herd - Peadar Healy,
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.

Peadar Healy and family are farming in very difficult conditions in Firoda near Castlecomer Co. Kilkenny. The land is very heavy, to the extent that most of it needs draining as often as more free draining soil would need re-seeding. If neglected for any length of time the land would very quickly revert to rushes and furze. Hundreds of tonnes of drainage stone have been put into the soil over the years with mole ploughs and diggers in an attempt to make the ground more suitable for Dairy Farming. Grassland management on this soil type is very challenging, especially in a wet spring. Peader tries to keep cows out as much as possible but young stock had to be rehoused a number of times this spring as conditions were just too wet. Cows also had to be fed extra concentrates this spring to keep up production and to hold cow condition. It is in these conditions that the Firoda Pedigree herd of Pure Friesian cows has survived and even flourished over the last 60 years. Peader and his father before him have stuck with a Pure Friesian herd of cows over the years as this is the type of cow most suited to dealing with the conditions experienced on the farm. There is always a huge demand for breeding stock from the farm. As herd fertility and survivability is very good, 20 to 30 heifers can be sold after calving each year. About the same number of bull calves are reared on each year and sold as Stock Bulls. Satisfied customers come back year after year with very little advertising needed, a huge endorsement for Peader's breeding policy. The income from these sales helps to increase overall farm output annually so this is an 80 cow herd punching well above it's weight. This year Peadar has been selected by the Irish Pure Friesian Club to host their open day. All cows are Pedigree Registered, Milk Recorded and Type Classified so there will be a lot of information about hows the cows are performing on the day. Peader has a 12th lactation cow in the herd as well as 3 10th lactation cows which will be on view on the day to show how well the breed wears and survives, even in difficult conditions. Also on view will be 4 generations of the same cow family all milking in the herd with excellent conformation and production. EBI figures, Fertility and production performance and an explanation of the Type Classification system will all be on view on the day and everyone is welcome to attend.

The farm is situated between Castlecomer and Ballyragget and will be signposted from both. The Open Day will be held on Saturday 25th July at 2pm.

Open day sale report and results

MONAMORE CELEBRATION OPEN DAY SALE

The Monamore Sale in conjunction with the the IHFA National Open Day saw a very good tradefor elite youngstock from Tom Kellys Monamore Herd.Topping the sale at 7,700 gns was MONAMORE GOLDWYNS LULU a November 2007 Braedale Goldwyn daughter who had been inseminated in May to Mr Sam.This heifer was backed by 6 successive generations of (EX) dams from the famousHanoverhill Lulu family. Her dam Monamore Lee Lulu (EX94-5E) won 2nd Snr Cow in Milkat The Irish National Dairy Show 2006 & was just fresh on her 7th lactation.Lee Lulu hadyields to 9,766 kg 4.46%BF 3.57%PR. The heifer was purchased by a Co.Armagh breeder.
The 2nd high price was 4,800 gns for the September 2008 born MONAMORE SHOTTLESELEGEANCE. This Picston Shottle daughter is out of a (VG86-2YR) Durham-Gdam is an(EX91) Linjet & the 3dam is the famous KRULL BROKER ELEGANCE (EX96-USA).

Service age bulls sold to 2,400 gns for the April 2008 born Monamore Redemption going toa breeder in South Wales. He was born from an imported USA embryo. His dam is MissRuby Lee Tuesday(EX-USA) is a daughter of the 2X World Dairy Expo Red & White ChampionLAVENDER RUBY REDROSE (EX96-USA).

Averages: Females 2,882 Euro gns.
Auctioneers: TAAFFE AUCTIONS 00-353-(0)41-9881288

HERDS COMPETITION RESULTS
Under 70
1st David Boyd, Mullaghduff, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan.
2nd Mervyn & Philip Jones, Killowen, Gorey, Co. Wexford.
3rd Damian Wynne, Slievebricken, Ballyconnel, Co. Cavan.

Over 70
1st Paul Hannan, Friarstown, Crecora, Co. Limerick.
2nd John Barrett & Sons, The Laurels, Lehenaghmore, Togher, Co. Cork.
3rd Michael McDonnell, Cannontown, Termonfeckin, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Spring Calving
1st Tony & William Horgan, Killeen, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
2nd Eamon McLoughney, Ballythomas, Ardcroney, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
3rd Kevin & Michael Gunn, Carrowclougher, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon.

TOP EBI Results

Over 70 Cows
Trevor Lockhart, Ballyally, Ramelton, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Under 70 Cows
Joint Winners:Liam O'Grady, Ballyglass, Gurteen, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
John & Marion Collins, Drominmacturlough, Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick.

Spring Calving
Brendan Meade, White Leas, Stamullen, Co. Meath.

STOCKJUDGING RESULTS

Under 18 Team Results
1st Northern Ireland (Hannah Lilburn, Andrew Patterson, Heather Martin)
2nd Slaney (Geoffrey Chapman, Louise Sinnott, Robert Condren)
3rd Cork (Michael White, Rachel White, Padraig Hayes)

18 - 30 Team Results
1st Northern Ireland (John McCormick, Paul Dunne, Louise Graham)
2nd North Eastern (John Moore, Leo Collins, Richard Whelan Jr.)
3rd Breffni / Oriel (Andrew Moore, Brendan Greenan, James Greenan)

Senior Team Results
1st Northern Ireland (Malcolm McLean, Mark Logan, Ashley Fleming)
2nd Breffni / Oriel (Kenneth Boyd, David Boyd, Sandy Moore)
3rd Larry Feeney, Kenneth Conroy, Kevin Loughlin

Individual Results:
Under 18 Hannah Lilburn
18 - 30 Louise Graham
Senior Mark Logan

2009 IHFA Open Day - sponsored by Progressive Genetics

"Celebration of 60 years of Black & White breeding"

The Irish Holstein Friesian Association, IHFA had a very successful Open Day at the Monamore Herd of Tom & Rhona Kelly and family on Wednesday 24th June 2009.

It was a very successful day with the cream of Dairy farmers and breeders from Cork to Donegal attending. There were many breeders from N. Ireland UK and International visitors. It is estimated that over 2,000 attended the event. The weather was lovely and despite the present doom and gloom over milk prices there was a great buzz in the place. There were a large number of commercial stands. Lely featured their latest innovation in Robotic milking machines.The National Dairy Council gave nutritional advice on their stand with a novely penalty shoot out to keep children occupied.

Tom established the Monamore herd in 1979 with some of the great family names such as Torch, Bunty, Fedora, Vera, ... from his late father's JJ Kelly's famous herd the "Moneymore Herd". Coincidentally it is 60 years since the foundation of the Moneymore herd and some of the great foundation cow families still thrive in the Monamore herd to this day.

Tom purchased some of the top International cow families such as Miss America, Roxy, Darlene, Lulu, Goldrose.. to broaden the base of the herd and he has successfully bred these families to achieve his breeding goals.The herd supplies of 220 cows and followers supply milk for liquid consumption to Winter. All feed where possible is homegrown. The herd average for 2008 is 9,800 milk kgs @ 3.64% Fat, 3.35% Pr Classification socres: 60 EX 105 VG.

There was a varied schedule of events with interesting topics and events for all dairy farmers.The Open Day commenced with an Opening address from Mairead Lavery, Chairperson of Agri Aware and editor of country Living Magazine in the Irish Farmers Journal. She stressed the importance of keeping the consumer informed on Quality Irish food and improving the image of Irish farming, also the contribution farmers make to the quality of life in the countryside and the environment. This was followed with the traditional Interclub Stockjudging. There were Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams from 16 clubs including a team from Northern Ireland.

The Master Judges for the day, Ken Proctor, Paul Hannan and Ricky Barrett then gave their reasons for their placings. This was followed by a presentation of the heifers by Alan Dorrian, Herdsman at Monamore.

Tom presented the remaining classes giving details on background breeding and production.

Longlife Cows at MonamoreFollowing on was a special presentation of 6 cows from the various cow families developed at Monamore namely Torch, Breeze, Lulu and Darlene They tipify what this great Black & White breed is all about. These are durable, longlife, fertile cows that are capable of producing large volume of milk with excellent solids and breed back in calf every year.Their lifetime average yield 58245 Kgs Milk , 4165Kgs Fat +Protein ,3.41 %Protein, Average lactation 6. All are classified EX.

There are cows from the Feedora cow family that go back to Volume 1 of the herd book which is celebrating its 100 year anniversity this year.

Tom emphasized the role and services of IHFA of Pedigree Holstein Friesian Registration, Ancestry recording, Linear scoring and Classification in adding value and using best breeding practice of AI and Milk Recording.

Grassland management a key factor in profitability
A very large crowd gathered at the Teagasc forum where the local adviser Tom Lalor along with Dr. Joe Patton Presented the “Grass Wedge” concept of measuring and monitoring grass on all the paddocks on the farm.The cover per cow on Tom’s farm was 186 Kgs which is at the upper end of the range and excellent for high yielding cows. Grass is capable of sustaining 26-28 litres of milk production .This is a key profit component in all milk production systems .

Presentations of Awards
The winners of the National Herds Competition , Interclub stockjudging, Macra Stockjudging and the Diamond and Gold awards for top achieving cows were presented with their prizes.

Celebration Sale
30 lots of young stock with impeccable pedigree were on offer. These represented national and international cow families.There was a buoyant atmosphere with excellent prices on the day.

Celebration BBQ
The evening ended with a celebration barbecue provided by the Kelly family which helped create a carnival atmosphere and an end to a very successful day.

Open Day at Monamore

2009 IHFA Open Day

Tom Kelly - Monamore Herd
Philipstown Farm,
Ballymakenny,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth.
on Wednesday 24th June 2009

http://www.pedigreecattle.ie/monamoreholsteinfriesians/index.htm