Like many Irish dairy farmers, Conor O’Sullivan and his family in Bansha, Co. Tipperary, faced ongoing challenges with fertility, high empty rates, and hoof health, issues that threatened both efficiency and herd longevity.

Managing a 200ac farm, they initially operated with a predominantly Holstein Friesian herd but struggled with cows failing to get in calf and late calving.

Seeking a solution that wouldn’t compromise cow value or calf sales, they introduced Norwegian Red genetics about eight years ago, a decision that would transform their herd’s future.

“We had big issues with empty rates, cows not getting in calf or getting in calf late in the year, and feet problems,” Conor explained. 

One of the most noticeable improvements on the O’Sullivan farm has been the consistency of their herd. Since introducing Norwegian Red genetics, fertility and hoof health issues have significantly decreased.

The family has also seen a major improvement in their replacement rate, with fewer first-calving heifers lost compared to before.

Since introducing Norwegian Red genetics, Conor has seen significant improvements in herd performance.

The empty rate, which once hovered in the high teens and even reached 20%, has now been consistently halved, sometimes dropping to single digits.

The calving interval has tightened, everything is a lot more compacted making herd management more efficient.

“The biggest difference I notice with Norwegian Red cows is their consistency. Unlike Holstein Friesians, where some cows peak at 40L per day, Norwegian Reds maintain a steady peak around 30L," the Tipperary farmer said.

"That suits me just fine because they have fewer issues with feet and fertility. The replacement rate has also dropped significantly. We used to lose a lot of first-calving heifers, but that’s no longer a major issue.”

Temperament has been another unexpected advantage. 

“They are unbelievably docile. A pleasure to milk,” Conor added.

He also notes that somatic cell counts (SCC) and mastitis cases have drastically declined, likely due to both genetics and the introduction of a cluster cleansing system.

Conor’s breeding strategy focuses on selecting cows with the highest protein production and good health traits. Most of the dairy replacements now come from the maiden heifers, where he uses sexed semen.

This change has allowed him to cut back significantly on the number of dairy artifical insemination (AI) straws used, from 180 per year to just 60 or 70.

“Before introducing Norwegian Red, we struggled to produce enough replacement heifers and had to buy some in. Now, we have plenty, and we can sell surplus calves early because the quality is so high," the Tipperary farmer said.

"In fact, one buyer consistently takes about three-quarters of my calves and prefers Norwegian Red crosses because they perform so well for him.”

When choosing bulls, Conor prioritises maintaining herd size around 580kg while aiming for 500kg of milk solids per year.

He looks for sires that balance protein, health, and management traits rather than extreme outliers.

Conor began his journey with Norwegian Red bulls like Braut (ZBR) and Eik (EKE) before expanding his breeding programme with Reitan 2 (NR2016) and Krovoll (NR4941).

In recent years, he has introduced Skoien (NR8832) and Roen (NR5881) into the mix, and this year, he plans to add Hallanger (S4466) and Nerby-P (NR8826) to further enhance his herd's performance. For more details, check out Dovea Genetic's latest Sire Directory.

Conor has also found that the Norwegian Total Merit Index (TMI) offers a more precise guide for sire selection compared to the Irish EBI alone.

“Looking at TMI, I can better predict the stature and performance of my cows, avoiding the mistake of breeding cows too big or too small,” the Tipperary farmer said.

Looking ahead, Conor plans to continue using Norwegian Red genetics to maintain a compact, efficient herd.

With a focus on protein improvement, fertility, and ease of management, he believes the breed has given him the tools for long-term success.

“It’s great to have a herd that’s consistent, productive, and low maintenance,” Conor concluded. 

“And it’s always nice to see a red calf in the mix.”