My Farming Week – Hugh Mc Garrigle

My name is Hugh Mc Garrigle, and I farm with my father in shadow of Breesy mountain in the townland of Cashelard, near Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. It is a very scenic area with a great community spirit, popular with anglers. It has a great tradition especially in drama and gaelic games. Cashelard gets its name from the site of a “High Fort” which overlooked Lough Unshin.

We farm approx 35 acres which is a mix of limestone and reasonable, dry, clay, free draining land. We also have 15 hectares of planted woodland. I have been a MED member for a number of years and have served as a committee member. I have improved my farming skills by availing of many of the training courses organized by MED’s Network Manager, Gerry Gallagher.

Total stock on the farm consists of 11 AA X LM suckler cows, (AI’D to LM), 5 LM X heifers plus 12 weanlings born during 2012. All stock are home bred as I use a closed herd policy. Some of the LM bulls used are Rocky, LM21, QEI and FL27. All replacement stock are AI’D to AA bull for easy calving, as I work full time with “Connacht Gold” and all stock are calved outside.

Tail painting is used instead of heat detection which I find a useful aid as stock are checked twice daily. Cows are planned to calve in Spring, but for a variety of reasons this does not always happen.

Having suffered an outbreak of Bovine TB two years ago and again this year, I purchased some Suffock cross bred lambs. Some of these are running with PB Charlois ram this year, and hopefully will begin lambing from mid March 2013. I purchased a further 16 lambs this year. I intend increasing the flock size next year, but I have a problem controlling ragworth especially on the rough limestone land.

My son Daniel and daughter Emer are showing a keen interest in the sheep, which I am happy about as they are safer to be around than suckler cows.

Hugh's son Daniel perfects his sheparding skills

Round bales are my main source of fodder, but I have also a preference for the square bale of hay, weather permitting, (unlike this year), as it is handy for my father, who is still active and very hands on when it comes to the farm.

I am a member of the MED AI cattle improvement scheme and have supported the MED weanling sale over the years, when I have suitable weanlings. Over the years the MED Autumn Sale has gained a reputation for quality stock and excellent prices. Any late born weanlings I sell at Ballyshannon Mart in the Spring of the following year.

All in calf stock get pre-calver mineral buckets during the dry period. This year buckets will be placed in half-barrels to prevent badger contamination. They are also treated for fluke in early spring. All weanlings are treated for worms during the summer months with Noromection pour on.

I have a great interest in farming and all topics affecting rural dwellers, and working with “Connacht Gold” keeps me in touch on a daily basis with changes in agriculture and also the farming community.

I fully support the ethos of MED, and the benefit it has brought to farms and farm families, not to mention the wider community since its formation. It’s contribution as a rural forum and best practice educator cannot be underestimated. Long may this continue.

I cannot end without paying a big Thank You to my wife Jackie, as none of my part time farming would be possible without her support.