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Strong, deep families like this are proven across the world and fit very well into our large herd, blending in seamlessly and performing superbly day in and day out
creating elite cow families which can be used for ET work to increase the strength of breeding across the herd. “This includes the 6300gns Hilltara Atlas Maude purchased at the first Causeway Classic sale, now an EX91 classified cow which goes back to the prolific show cow Medway Supreme Maude.
“Strong, deep families like this are proven across the world and fit very well in to our large herd, blending in seamlessly and performing superbly day in-day out.”
Farming across 1150 acres of ground, including 450 acres of owned land, the brothers are aiming to produce as much feed as they can from their own ground, growing 100 acres of whole-crop wheat and reseeding 20% of the farm every year to maximise grassland productivity. The farm which was on the Castledillon Estate was originally owned by the Molyneux family before being bought by Armagh County Council. The Muldrew family purchased half of the estate in July 1987, before coming to an agreement to purchase the second half from George Allen in 2005. “We still like to run the farm as an estate and are part of a Countryside Management Scheme, this ensures some of the estate is protected and is also an extra income to the business. Income is also made from renting land to an independent Duck and Partridge shoot which is proving very successful. Aiming to keep the herd as efficient as possible the Muldrews calve heifers in at two years old or as close to it as possible, with heifers reared off-farm by two dedicated rearers. “From 10 weeks old to nine months old heifers are reared by Irwin Hanson, with management then switching to James Christie who takes them through to the point of calving. The Scott brothers at Ardgonnell take care of 25 of the best heifer calves and serve them to sexed semen, they also calve in heifers themselves and we buy regularly when replacements are required. “We also employ a part-time calf rearer at home to take care of calves up
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to 10 weeks and ensure calves get the very best start they can,” he says.
With the herd currently averaging 9100kg/head attention to rationing is vital, with a TMR fed and concentrates topped up in the parlour. “It’s crucial in a herd of this size to ensure every cow is fed to her potential and we are conscious of the need to keep on top of cows as individuals rather than as groups. “As a result both Noel and myself milk every morning, each milking half the herd in one of the farm’s two 20:20 herringbone parlours. This helps us stay in complete control of animal health and welfare, both of which can slip in a herd this size if you’re not completely on top of things.” And as Noel points out while milking may seem the most mundane task on the farm it’s the best time to see cows. “When a cow comes in the parlour you can easily spot any issues that may be troubling her. It’s not always about spotting the big things, but noticing the odd cow slightly off colour or who’s yield drops can be an early indicator of a bigger issue to come,” he says.
32 THE JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2015
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