Paul and Peter Purcell and family are farming near Piltown, County Kilkenny. “We milk 180 cows in a split spring/winter calving system stocked at 3.5 cows per hectare on the milking platform. 80% of the herd is spring calving. “Last year the herd produced an average 450kgs milk solids per cow. It is a young herd consisting of 35% heifers. Scanning results indicate that we are all set for an imminent hectic calving season. “We have put so much work into developing and breeding the herd over generations that IHFA Grade Up is the logical next step to realise the value of the genetic potential of our stock. It is a streamlined process, taking into account all the records accumulated over the years. The Holstein Friesian has served us well over the years! The value of the calf and cull cow is very much part of the family farm income which now supports two family units. “The Grade Up process uniquely captures Cow family performance. This identifies the strength of maternal breeding which is something that can be under-appreciated otherwise.” Father and son team Peter and Paul work very closely together and have availed of the opportunity in recent years of increasing cow numbers, growing from within the herd.
Grading Up
to attain Herd Pedigree status with IHFA Peter and Paul are assisted on the farm by Owen Manning who works full-time. The current daily routine on the farm includes putting the heifers through the milking parlour to give them a chance to get accustomed to the surroundings. Sheds and calving pens have been power washed in advance of the busy calving period. “We would be hopeful of getting cows out to grass around February 10th for some few hours per day, weather permitting of course. We aim to maximise grass in the diet throughout the year with some zero grazing also helping to this effect.Plans for the new year are to further focus on attention to detail for the herd to perform and to continue making grassland management advances including further reseeding.” If you want to grade up your herd to pedigree, contact IHFA on 023-8833443 for more information
61