Irish suckler tips
5 October 2001
Irish suckler tips
AS BEEF markets recover slowly, Irish suckler herds must produce animals the market requires, finishing some animals in less than 12 months, says Teagascs chief beef adviser Bernard Smyth.
Speaking at a Teagasc suckler breeding demonstration at Ballina Mart, Ireland, Mr Smyth said the best priced consumer markets demand beef from animals less than 30 months old.
However, other markets require suckler herd animals under 24 months and top quality animals of less than 12 months old.
"Meeting customer needs and maximising profitability are best achieved using crossbred continental cows with good milk yields. To optimise hybrid vigour, these cows should be put to a continental bull of a different breed," he advised. *
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