Aubrac society open day set for Laois dairy and suckler farm
The Irish Aubrac Cattle Society is set to host an open day on the farm of Cathal and William Bannon, the Lea, Portarlington, Co. Laois.
The open day will take place on Saturday, October 12, from 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. and will showcase the breed's versatility across a range of Irish farming systems.
The Bannons have been crossing Aubrac bulls on their dairy herd since 2016 and also own 17 pedigree breeding females under the Wilcot prefix. The pedigree Aubrac herd was established in 2017.
In conjunction with the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society, the host farmers will demonstrate the breed’s potential across:
- Dairying (including calf-rearing, finishing and breeding first-crosses from the dairy herd);
- Suckler farming (commercial and pedigree);
- Organics.
The Wilcot herd owners have developed a particular interest in French Aubrac polled sires which they have availed of through the society’s breed development programme for their pedigree herd in recent years.
Cathal said: “Our venture into Aubracs is the result of curiosity. Relatives of ours had been using Aubrac straws on their dairy herd. They were drawn to their ease of calving and short gestation. Calves were well-conformed and easy to sell.”
“I wanted to try the breed myself, so I purchased an Aubrac bull in 2016 and bred him to heifers. I have not looked back since, and that was eight years ago.”
“Aubracs are our breed of choice when it comes to beef usage within our dairy herd on heifers and cows; we do not use any other beef breed. They are efficient feed converters, grade well and have high kill-out percentages.
“We retain our dairy-bred beef progeny until they are 18-months and sell them to finishers. We sell some dairy-bred Aubrac heifers to commercial suckler farmers, with growing interest from those in organics.”
Some of the key topics at the open day will include:
- The use of Aubrac on the dairy herd;
- Potential to use first-cross dairy Aubrac as a suckler cow;
- Fixed-time AI breeding protocol;
- Organic farming with Aubracs;
- The Commercial Beef Value (CBV).
The host farmer added: “Our farm open day is targeted at calf rearers, dairy farmers, organic farmers, commercial suckler farmers, and fellow pedigree breeders.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone through the gates to demonstrate what the Aubrac breed has to offer across the board. The event is free to attend and open to all members of the public."
