Salesian Agricultural College is hosting a dispersal sale of 25 in-calf suckler cows and 31 in-calf suckler heifers at Ennis Mart this Tuesday (February 16th).
According to a spokesperson for the college, this is an opportunity to acquire commercial in-calf suckler cows and in-calf heifers that boast five-star replacement index ratings, are of extremely high health status and are predominantly in-calf to AI sires.
Breeding policy
Salesian Agricultural College is situated on a 520-acre farm in Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick with 685 students currently enrolled.
The college established its current suckler herd in 2016 based on having the highest replacement index cows possible.
Several first cross-Salers and Limousin maiden heifers were purchased, bred to easy calving Limousin and calved down in 2017. Some of these were subsequently purchased by the Teagasc Derrypatrick Herd.
The breeding policy has been to use one round of AI on cows and heifers, primarily using high replacement Index sires.
This is achieved by using a fixed time synchronisation programme. And after that, they use stock bulls for repeats, with a Limousin from the Roundhill herd on cows and an Angus on heifers.
Replacement Index
The cows’ average replacement index is an impressive €176, placing the herd in the top 1% of suckler herds based on replacement index.
The average replacement index of the heifers is €162. All €uro-star figures in this catalogue are from the January 2021 evaluation.
Scanning
Dr Dan Ryan (Reprodoc Ltd) scanned all cows and heifers on January 10th, 2021. 44 of the 56 cows/heifers are due from February 20th, 2021 through to March 31st, 2020.
All cows have been AI’d to the Charolais bull Fiston (FSZ) with the Limousin stock bull, Roundhill Matteo, used for repeats.
Heifers have been AI’d to a selection of Limousin, Aubrac and Parthenaise sires, while Angus stock bull, Knockarlow Rambo, was used for repeats.
Herd health
Salesian Agricultural College maintains a high herd health status. They have vaccinated all cows and heifers for BVD, Leptospirosis, IBR and Salmonella as part of its health farm programme.
Also, this January all cows and heifers were vaccinated using Bovipast.
All cows and heifers were vaccinated on January 28th, 2021 with Rotavec Corona for the active immunisation of pregnant cows and heifers to raise antibodies against E. coli (K99) antigen, rotavirus and coronavirus.
All cows are tested annually as part of the college farm’s Johnes Control Programme, and all cows presented for sale have tested negative for Johnes.
According to the spokesperson, the most recent TB test was November 20th, 2021 and the farm has not had a history of TB.
Salesian Agricultural College suckler sale – Viewing
Cows and heifers can be viewed at Ennis Mart from 10 am-11 am tomorrow (Tuesday). The sale will commence between 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm – depending on calf numbers selling beforehand.
Please contact Brendan Ryan, farm manager on 087-3804629 for further information about the herd dispersal sale.
Photos:
