LEFT Andrew spent up to eight weeks in each of the ten departments on the farm.
BOTTOM Relough Farm is a 300 acres farm near Dungannon.
‘
Being a larger operation the management was far more corporate than on my family farm at home, however, this does improve the running of the business making it much smoother
The Relough herd is run by Andrew’s father Malcolm and Uncle Barry, with 280 milkers the key focus is on fertility, production and components as well as health traits to ensure the herd is easily managed and profitable. Emphasis on sire selection has turned to genomics with almost 100% of sires genomic. “We feel this is the best way to speed up the herd’s genetics and breeding. At the moment we are selectively testing heifers.” Assisting with the progression of breeding, Embryo Transfer is carried out by Paragon once a month on cows and heifers to accelerate genetic progress in the herd.
“Having experience management of a large scale there are changes I’d like to make at home. Calf rearing would probably be the area I feel we could make more efficient and that will be my first focus. I’d also like to look at overall animal health on the farm and look at ways of improving how this is recorded.”
Going forward Andrew isn’t sure what the future holds, he will return home to the family farm, but has an incentive to go back to the USA at some point. “During my time at North Florida I met my girlfriend Jennifer; she is a vet student who was at NFH on placement from the University of Georgia. So naturally I’d like to head back to see her, at the moment though I’m working
on getting her a placement at a veterinary practice a little closer to home!”
’
Looking back on his year away Andrew says working and living in a different country allowed him to develop as a person as it is the best way to learn and grow. “People shouldn’t be put off by travelling alone; it is a catalyst to make new friends and enhances your perspective of the world.” He recommends getting involved in an internship if possible as his year was facilitated by the Agriculture Program with Ohio State University which assisted with visas and other necessary paperwork.
42 THE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014
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