Having been hit hard by TB in the past, losing 197 cattle to the herds first TB breakdown in October 2008 and a further 600 cattle in the following five years, the herd has only just started in the show ring, taking cattle to Armagh Show for the first time in 2014, with Dillon Windbrook Dreamgirl standing third in her class and Dillon Windbrook Maude taking first place. “But while we’ve only just got out and about on the show circuit we have enjoyed success in the Northen Irish herd competition, winning the junior section of the large herd class in 2013 and the senior section in 2014,” says Trevor.
“That was a huge achievement for us, particularly as the herd has only been established for six years. But it proves we’re doing things right and reinforces in our own minds that the breeding decisions we’re making are taking us down the right road.” The herd contains a number of strong families, including members of the Ashlyn, Barb, Fay, Marq I, Trixie, Ruby, Ghost, Kiom and Erle lines, alongside Margots, Rolls, Roxys and Lulus, says Trevor. “Keeping families right is crucial for us as proven families will be the future of the herd for many years to come. One particular family we’ve been lucky to get in to is the Carmen line, with seven out of a batch of 10 heifers
ABOVE LEFT The newest shed houses 300 milking cows.
ABOVE RIGHT Hilltara Atlas Maude EX91 was purchased for 6300gns at the Causeway Classic.
BELOW RIGHT The only living EX96 in Northern Ireland, Dillon Leader Dreamgirl.
purchased tracing back to the reputable Ballyboy Juror Carmen EX95 who was in the winning team at Agribex, Brussels 2004. Bull selection is, therefore, a key part of herd management and classification is also important in ensuring we’re going the right way.
650
MILKING COWS
“Since January 2011 we’ve had 110 Excellent cows, including multiple Excellents and find classification a very useful tool alongside the Cogent Mating Service in helping us match bulls to individual cows. We have also just purchased a heat detection system from West Falia to aid with fertility.” Relying strongly on both homebred and bought in stock bulls the herd currently runs six bulls, with previous stock bulls proving influential in the herd, Roundhill Goldline J left 22 VG and six EX classified daughters. “Gorsfarm Leader has bred 39 VG and 10 Ex daughters including the herd favourite Dillon Leader Dreamgirl, who recently calved her eighth, a bull calf by Lauthority. We’re also using a number of leading AI bulls, including Mincio, Spectrum, Million, Captain, Windbrook, Shottle Trump, Goldfish and Goldsun, with a number of Millions in the herd calving with their second and classifying well.
“Windbrook and End- Story daughters are also calving down and milking well and as a result we’re using more of their semen to breed balanced, reliable cows,” he adds.
THE JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2015 33
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