Dairy farmers who use Aubrac sires are continuing to reap the rewards of ease of calving, short gestation, and a high calf sale price, according to the society’s P.R.O, Pj Pollard.
Data from the ICBF (Irish Cattle Breeding Federation), as reported by us here, indicates that the use of Aubrac sires in the dairy herd has risen by 55.3% from 2019-levels.
Speaking following the publication of the figures, Pollard said: “Aubrac calves are very vigorous and are sucking within minutes after birth.”
“They are a docile, very healthy breed with a high health status that tick all the boxes in terms of ease of management and docility.”
“Calves are in great demand now with farmers due to the breed’s easy finishing traits. Dairy-bred Aubrac calves are very saleable with reports of up to €350 for bull calves.”
“Aubracs are an ideal cross for dairy cows and can outperform other breeds. Aubracs have untapped potential, especially in the dairy industry, and as time progresses, more dairy farmers are recognising this.”
“So many dairy farmers now know what Aubracs can deliver for them and their enterprise – the proof is in bottom line at the end of the day.”
Dermot Kehoe, a farmer from Wexford, said: “Calving problems can take money out of your pocket through veterinary fees, mortalities and damage to a cow’s reproductive system with delays in recycling and re-breeding.”
“We are happy with the Aubrac breed – they suit our dairy and beef herd,” he added.
Slaughter performance
Progeny out of Holstein Friesian cows will generally grade Rs at slaughter and there is also noticeable demand for heifer calves as recipients and as replacements in suckler herds, Pollard added.
Francis Donohoe, Johnstown Aubracs, Johnstown, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath purchased Aubrac-sired calves out of Holstein Friesian cows in 2018 and slaughtered them earlier this year.
“The first winter that I had them they were never in the shed and were not fed a grain of hay or silage. Twenty or so of they were grouped together, and they got 1kg of meal per day.”
“They were grazed all last summer on grass alone with no meal. They were housed on October 16th, 2019 and concentrates were introduced slowly for a one-week period.”
“They went on ad-lid meal the following week and were slaughtered on January 30th, 2020. The 21-month-old bulls had an average carcass weight of 387.69kgs (cold) and price of €1,381.”
| Eartag | Grade | Age (months) | Cold KG |
| 372219330462366 | R-2- | 21 | 364.17 |
| 372219330492360 | R-3- | 21 | 408.27 |
| 372219330482384 | R=2+ | 21 | 381.81 |
| 372219330422387 | R=2+ | 21 | 413.95 |
| 372219330412378 | R-2= | 21 | 353.78 |
| 372219330472383 | R-2+ | 21 | 402.78 |
| 372219330492377 | R=2= | 21 | 396.31 |
| 372219330422379 | R=2+ | 21 | 416.89 |
| 372219330462374 | R-2+ | 21 | 376.91 |
| 372219330412361 | R=2+ | 21 | 407.09 |
| 372219330452365 | O+3- | 21 | 367.11 |
| 372219330482368 | O+3-1 | 21 | 363.19 |
Use Aubrac this breeding season for top-quality dairy-beef calves:
- Turloughmore Magnificent (AU4683) – Progressive and Munster [main image];
- Whitestown Leyland ET (AU5506) – Eurogene/AI Services;
- Turloughmore Majestic (AU4836) – Eurogene/AI Services ;
- Cesar (AU2470) – Eurogene/AI Services;
- Marquis (AU4622) – Dovea Genetics;
- Despagnou (DPZ) – Bova AI.
More information
If you wish to obtain further information about the breed, see the society’s website or Facebook.
