Eskra man is appointed ‘beef technology demonstration’ farmer

AN Eskra man has become one of the first beef farmers in the North to be appointed as a ‘Beef Fertility Technology Demonstration Farmer (TDF).

To date, Oliver McKenna has hosted almost 20 farm groups on many aspects of how he farms including fertility management.

Oliver runs a 40 suckler cow enterprise on his 27 hectare farm. He operates a closed herd of mainly Limousin, Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Simmental cross cows, rearing his own replacements and finishing male calves as bulls with surplus heifers being sold in calf.

Oliver has been using 100 per-cent AI on his farm for a number of years, and has introduced a series of technologies to aid fertility management.

Mr McKenna said that he recognised the need to ‘get the best out of his farm’, which is ‘relatively small’.

“I can achieve this through a high stocking rate – currently 2.61CE/HA – and also excellent cow fertility (calving index is 369 days),” he said. “I am passionate about farming, and since coming home from the College of Agriculture of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Enterprise, I have been able to increase stocking and profitability rates significantly as a result of producing and utilising more grass and improving cow fertility.

“This has been achieved through a range of technologies, including using a herd health plan, pre breeding health checks, pregnancy diagnosis, the: ‘Sensehub beef system’, performance recording on farm and performance recorded sires. I am also excited about being a TDF Beef Fertility management farmer as I really enjoy hosting groups of farmers. I am looking forward to having other groups of farmers visit my farm in the months ahead.”

Details of all TDFs, including Oliver’s, and how to book a visit are available on the CAFRE website: www.cafre.ac.uk/TDFs