Mike and Margaret Gibbons run a 25-cow spring-calving suckler herd in Hollymount, Co. Mayo.
They feature in the most recent segment of Dovea Genetics’ video series.
Their cow-type is a Salers or Salers-cross, which is bred to high-end terminal Charolais sires including CH4159, CH4158 and LSP, all of which are available from the bovine genetics company.
Stress-free calving
“With these cows, you don’t really have to be concerned about calving difficulty. They have a super calving ability.” John Lynch of Dovea Genetics explained in the video.
“Using heavier-type Charolais bulls like LSP, they still don’t give any trouble calving.”
Heifer calves are sold to a repeat farmer customer every year, while bull calves go under the hammer in their local mart.
“You get it all with this cross, including colour, the cows have milk and an outstanding weight gain,” Lynch added.
“Some of the Charolais calves here born in January are over 400kgs already, in the middle of August and are ready for selling.”
Image and video source: Dovea Genetics /Youtube
