The Northern Ireland Charolais Club have just completed their plans for ten Charolais suckled calf shows, beginning 28th September and continuing through to 10th October.
Ten marts are at the ready for the judging to begin and a good selection of quality cross bred Charolais calves is expected.
After a cold spring suckled calves have had a plentiful supply of autumn grass to put on additional weight prior to the sales.
The secretary Ann Orr visited the farm of David and Robert Simpson at Old Chapel Road, Aughnacloy. The farm has been in the family for generations and is situated amongst rolling hills with boundaries of mature trees providing excellent shelter for the herd.
The Simpson brothers have a herd of 35 Limousin x Simmental and Simmental x Charolais cattle, all good sized young cows with plenty of milk. They have two Charolais bulls on the farm, the most recently purchased at the Club sale at Dungannon 18 months ago. This latest addition to the herd is showing great promise by the size and confirmation of the calves produced, especially the heifer calves which all have tremendous length and depth. These heifers will be eagerly sought after for herd replacements next year.
The cows are all spring calving with the strongest calves being taken to the autumn Charolais Suckled Calf Show and Sale and the younger calves being over wintered and sold in March and April. Robert is delighted that his Charolais bulls are providing him with easy calving results all around. All calves have access to concentrates in the creep feed from an early age leaving them very easy to wean. Robert has been on the show circuit this season with some very good calves and recently exhibited his commercial stock at the NI National Charolais Show in Fintona. Robert said: “Getting out to the show with a few good Charolais cross calves gets you noticed”. It all helps when you go to sell them, attracting a couple of good customers can make all the difference in the sale ring.
When asked about how he buys a Charolais bull, Robert simply says that he buys on eye appeal- if he likes what he sees in a bull then he will buy him for the herd, keeping in mind customer requirements. David and Robert then outlined a few points in relation to good herd management that are important to them;
Select the ideal continental x suckler cow with plenty of milk.
A good grazing system ensures maximum performance on grass.
Constantly monitor fertility.
Condition score both cows and replacement heifers in the herd.
Use Charolais bulls that produce calves with growth and maximum weight gain.
Achieve excellent calving figures for non-assisted births in the herd.
Breed calves that will produce Charolais x beef that kills out at UE & R grades.
When Robert was asked why he uses Charolais, his reply was :“The Charolais always weighs and pays.”
The Charolais legacy will be carried on if breeders like David and Robert Simpson select the sire with the correct characteristics to ensure that market demands are met by producing suckler calves that will produce extra growth extra grade and extra profit.
Club members look forward to seeing an even greater number of good Charolais cross calves on offer in the sales rings across NI. The NI Charolais Club is indebted to Ulster Bank Ltd for their sponsorship of all ten Charolais shows; they are also indebted to all the judges, the staff at the marts for their assistance and the press for their coverage of the events.
NI Charolais Suck Calf Shows 2013
Ballymena: Sat 28th September Show, 9.30am
Lisahally: Sat 28th September Show, 10am
Draperstown: Tue 1st October Show, 10am
Hilltown: Tue 1st October Show, 6pm
Dungannon: Wed 2nd October Show, 10am
Armoy: Thurs 3rd October Show, 9.30am
Plumbridge: Fri 4th October Show, 10am
Swatragh: Mon 7th October Show, 10.30am
Enniskillen: Tue 8th October Show, 5.30pm
Markethill: Thurs 10th October Show, 6pm
Members’ Breedplan Meeting on Wednesday 25th September, Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown at 8pm.
Club Dinner & Awards Ceremony Corick House Hotel Clogher Friday 27th September 8pm Ticket only
Charolais Show & sale Dungannon Farmers Mart Friday 1st November sponsored by Ulster Bank Ltd
Export Charolais Show & Sale Dungannon Farmers Mart Friday 7th March 2014
Any queries: Please contact Club Secretary Ann Orr Tel: 02866 342996 or Email: annorr@btconnect.com
(Source – Farming Life – 23/09/2013)
Robert Simpson on his farm near Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone