Part-time pedigree farming is very popular in Cavan and Leitrim, with a high number of breeders dotted around the border region. Herds aren’t big, but there’s a certain pride runs through the region for quality stock.
Father and son duo Kenneth and David Magee’s operation is a good example of a typical suckler herd in Cavan.
Drinkers are La Buvette and are supplied by Teemore Engineering, Teemore, Co Fermanagh.
Having exited dairying in 2013, Kenneth concentrated on the suckler side of the business. When David finished college in 2015 he took up a job as a nutritionist with local company Kiernan Milling and the two formed a partnership farming alongside each other.
A big focus was placed on ventilation. A stepped-down front canopy was installed along with vented sheeting on the shed
David increased the pedigree herd. It is now a 15-strong pedigree Charolais herd. When working full-time, facilities are important, and with the expanding pedigree herd came the need for more bull facilities.
“When you come home late in the evening you need to be able to get through the yard quickly so a well-designed shed is important,” said David. “We also didn’t skimp on lights as a lot of the feeding is either done in early morning or late evening.”
Vented sheeting was placed on the back of the shed for 1.5m to eaves.
Bulls are typically sold around 16 months of age so are always around for the winter months.
The shed is a mix of tank and bedded area with a fall going back to the tank off the bedded area.
A special focus was put on ventilation, with the shed being erected extra high and gates put inside doors to maximise air flow.
Creep gates have been installed in some of the pens to allow young calves access to the lieback area.
David said: “It makes a big difference to keep hair on bulls for sales so we have left a few access doors to allow bulls outdoors for a few hours during the day if we need to.
“We are using woodchip/peelings to bed at the moment and we are really happy with it under the bulls. The shed is also going to double up as a calving shed, with a calving gate erected in one of the dry pens and also creep gates being installed between the lieback and the slats to house calved cows if needed.
The shed is a four-bay shed with a 12ft 6in tank in 1.5 bays and a 14 foot lieback. the other 2.5 bays are concrete. David plans on installing mats on the slats for cows next winter
“David estimates the shed will cost in the region of €21,000 when VAT and the TAMS grant is reclaimed.”
“It’s a big investment but we were really stuck for facilities. I think long term there will always be a market for good stock so that’s where we are aiming to be.”
A calving gate was installed in a dry pen for difficult calvings. The calving gate can be used in two pens.
Bernard McManus construction completed the concrete work, tank and shed erection. Teemore Engineering provided the internal penning and barriers.
Locking barriers were installed in all pens for ease of restraining cows and also halter training young bulls.
Part-time pedigree farming is very popular in Cavan and Leitrim, with a high number of breeders dotted around the border region. Herds aren’t big, but there’s a certain pride runs through the region for quality stock.
Father and son duo Kenneth and David Magee’s operation is a good example of a typical suckler herd in Cavan.
Drinkers are La Buvette and are supplied by Teemore Engineering, Teemore, Co Fermanagh.
Having exited dairying in 2013, Kenneth concentrated on the suckler side of the business. When David finished college in 2015 he took up a job as a nutritionist with local company Kiernan Milling and the two formed a partnership farming alongside each other.
A big focus was placed on ventilation. A stepped-down front canopy was installed along with vented sheeting on the shed
David increased the pedigree herd. It is now a 15-strong pedigree Charolais herd. When working full-time, facilities are important, and with the expanding pedigree herd came the need for more bull facilities.
“When you come home late in the evening you need to be able to get through the yard quickly so a well-designed shed is important,” said David. “We also didn’t skimp on lights as a lot of the feeding is either done in early morning or late evening.”
Vented sheeting was placed on the back of the shed for 1.5m to eaves.
Bulls are typically sold around 16 months of age so are always around for the winter months.
The shed is a mix of tank and bedded area with a fall going back to the tank off the bedded area.
A special focus was put on ventilation, with the shed being erected extra high and gates put inside doors to maximise air flow.
Creep gates have been installed in some of the pens to allow young calves access to the lieback area.
David said: “It makes a big difference to keep hair on bulls for sales so we have left a few access doors to allow bulls outdoors for a few hours during the day if we need to.
“We are using woodchip/peelings to bed at the moment and we are really happy with it under the bulls. The shed is also going to double up as a calving shed, with a calving gate erected in one of the dry pens and also creep gates being installed between the lieback and the slats to house calved cows if needed.
The shed is a four-bay shed with a 12ft 6in tank in 1.5 bays and a 14 foot lieback. the other 2.5 bays are concrete. David plans on installing mats on the slats for cows next winter
“David estimates the shed will cost in the region of €21,000 when VAT and the TAMS grant is reclaimed.”
“It’s a big investment but we were really stuck for facilities. I think long term there will always be a market for good stock so that’s where we are aiming to be.”
A calving gate was installed in a dry pen for difficult calvings. The calving gate can be used in two pens.
Bernard McManus construction completed the concrete work, tank and shed erection. Teemore Engineering provided the internal penning and barriers.
Locking barriers were installed in all pens for ease of restraining cows and also halter training young bulls.
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