Grass Shoots Profits Skyward for Top Producer
IRELAND - Farmers in the north-east will have a unique opportunity today to visit one of the best beef producers in the country.
17 June 2009
1 minute read
A farm walk, organised by Teagasc, is taking place on the farm of Freddie and Caroline Merrin in Ballyloughan, Carrickmacross, Co.Monaghan, today, Tuesday, 16 June. The Merrins are the Winners of the Bord Bia Quality Beef Finisher 2008 award.
Teagasc Beef Specialist Bernard Smyth said: ”This is one of the most successful farms finishing beef cattle in the country, with purchased weanlings from the suckler herd finished, as both bulls and steers, from 16 to 25 months of age. The Merrin’s system is based on achieving high animal performance from grass and combining this with an efficient finishing system over the winter. The livestock on this farm are gaining 200 kilograms live-weight while at grass, which is 50 kilograms more than the average producer is achieving.”
Bernard Smyth said; “This farm is in REPS, yet it can deliver high output. A gross margin of €900 per hectare has been achieved in each of the last two years, placing them in the top 5 per cent of beef producers nationally. The farm is an active member of the Monaghan Quality Cattle Producer Group and consistently achieves over 90 per cent of slaughtered animals meeting the exacting specifications. All beef is supplied to AIBP in Clones”.
TheCattleSite News Desk
