Weaning focus of farm walk

Brian Donaldson • Published 19 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Quality on the ground as John Henning, third left, hands over Northern Bank sponsorship to NBA NI chairman Oisin Murnion as preparations are finalised for farm walks in Larne and Beragh next Tues 24 and Wed 25 Aug. On hand to help are from left, Lizzie Rodgers, event co-ordinator, Beragh host farmer John McSorley, Stephen Heenan and David Rankin, NBA.

A major farm walk and talk in the west of the Province will focus on Weaning Management and Cattle Handling, organised by the National Beef Association.

The event on Wednesday next, August 25 will be hosted by Beragh farmer, John McSorley between 5pm and 8pm.

This practical event, run by farmers for farmers serious about the business of making a living from beef production, is a must for those with a love of good livestock.

The McSorley family being famed for an ability to produce quality stock from their neat and tidy LFA farm, home to a 105-cow suckler herd. Their son, Sean explained that three bulls, two Limousin and one Charolais, are put to a herd that is mainly half Limousin with some Blue influence.

All calves are sold either as single suckling calves or the following year through local marts such as Clogher and Omagh. Though John and sons also have a passion for showing commercial cattle with considerable success having taken the reserve calf championship at Moira Arena this past year.

Indeed John senior is currently chairman of the NI Commercial Cattle Exhibitors Club, which holds its sixth annual show in Moira on Friday, Aug 30.

Looking forward to hosting the NBA farm walk and talk John said the two main topics, weaning management and cattle handling, were of great interest to all in the beef business.

“Miriam Parker, the cattle handling consultant seen in the Jimmy Docherty BBC2 TV ‘Private Lives of Cows’ programme will demonstrate stress free livestock handled using safe, simple systems in an era when help is in short supply, “ John revealed.

“This internationally acclaimed expert will also help farmers troubleshoot their existing handling facilities and give tips on designing new pens and crushes.

“Our other guest speaker is highly respected vet Mairead O’Grady from Intervet Schering Plough, who will lead a debate on weaning without woe! An excellent opportunity to look at ways of avoiding animal health problems.”

Aside from their farm at Beragh the McSorley family have build up over this past 10 years a one-stop farm merchants, Sixmilecross Agricultural Supplies. Thanking John and sons for hosting the event NBA NI chairman Oisin Murnion said the lack of margins from suckler cows was a major concern especially as EU CAP reforms threatened support mechanisms.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Aug 10

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