The Irish Aubrac Cattle Society is gearing up to host an open day at the farm of Cathal and William Bannon, located at the Lea, Portarlington, Co. Laois. This event is slated to take place on Saturday, October 12, from 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. and promises to offer attendees a closer look at the breed’s adaptability within different Irish farming setups.
The Bannons have been in the business of using Aubrac bulls on their dairy herd since 2016. In addition to this, they also own a remarkable 17 pedigree breeding females under the Wilcot prefix. Out of this initiative, a pedigree Aubrac herd was established back in 2017, marking a significant milestone in their farming journey.
Through a partnership with the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society, the host farmers are all set to illustrate the breed’s potential under various farming scenarios such as dairying, suckler farming (both commercial and pedigree), and organics. This open day will serve as an educational platform for those looking to explore the possibilities that Aubrac cattle can offer on their own farms.
One of the standout features of the Wilcot herd is their keen interest in French Aubrac polled sires, a preference they have been able to leverage through the society’s breed development program. This strategic move has allowed them to enhance the genetic pool of their pedigree herd and achieve desirable outcomes over the years.
Cathal Bannon shared his insight on their journey with Aubrac cattle, highlighting their exceptional qualities such as ease of calving, short gestation periods, and well-conformed calves that are easily marketable. His decision to introduce Aubrac into their farming operations has proven to be a game-changer, yielding positive results and setting a new standard for beef usage within their dairy herd.
The story of the Bannons and their Aubrac cattle showcases the breed’s efficiency as feed converters, excellent grading, and high kill-out percentages. In practice, they retain their dairy-bred beef progeny until they reach 18 months, at which point they sell them to finishers. Furthermore, some dairy-bred Aubrac heifers are sold to commercial suckler farmers, with a growing interest from those involved in organic farming.
As the open day draws closer, attendees can look forward to engaging discussions on critical topics, such as the advantages of using Aubrac on dairy herds, the potential of first-cross dairy Aubrac in the suckler cow role, fixed-time AI breeding protocols, organic farming with Aubracs, and the Commercial Beef Value (CBV). These key insights will undoubtedly provide valuable knowledge for all participants.
This farm open day is designed to appeal to a broad audience comprising calf rearers, dairy farmers, commercial suckler farmers, organic farmers, and fellow pedigree breeders. The goal is to create an inclusive platform that showcases the diverse benefits of the Aubrac breed across different farming sectors, emphasizing its adaptability and value proposition.
The event is open to the public and free to attend, making it an accessible opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about Aubrac cattle and their potential within the agricultural landscape. The Bannons are excited to welcome guests and offer a firsthand experience of what the Aubrac breed has to offer, reinforcing its relevance and significance in modern farming practices.
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The Aubrac society open day set for Laois dairy and suckler farm is a testament to the continuous evolution and innovation within the agricultural sector. By embracing breeds like Aubrac and harnessing their unique strengths, farmers can unlock new opportunities for growth and sustainability in their operations. As the farming community gathers to celebrate and learn from this event, it underscores the enduring spirit of exploration and advancement that drives the industry forward.
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