CAFRE to introduce new Technology Demonstration Farms programme

Date published: 05 June 2020

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has established a network of Technology Demonstration Farms (TDF) throughout Northern Ireland aimed at increase the rate of technology adoption on Northern Ireland farms.

David Henderson pictured with a batch of his replacement heifers.

It is planned that this programme will be rolled out when the current restrictions in place because of the Covid-19 crisis are eased. At this point groups of farmers will be invited to visit these farms and find out about the latest technologies and innovations in place.

Amongst the participating farms are four Beef Fertility Theme Technology Demonstration Farms.

TDF Fertility Farm No 1 belongs to David Henderson of Tamlaght in Co Fermanagh.

The Henderson family run a herd comprising of approximately 90 suckler cows predominantly Simmental, Limousin and Shorthorn cross on 235 acres. The herd has a calving index of 375 days and reappearance rate of 71 per cent. This farm operates a three breed cross-breeding system to maximise calf performance. Their breeding decisions are based on performance recorded stock bulls while being mindful of the myostatin gene and cows are scanned six weeks post-breeding with all embryos sexed.

TDF Fertility Farm No 2 belongs to Douglas McKenzie of Moy in Co. Tyrone.  The McKenzie family are calving 90 suckler cows predominantly the Aubrac breed on 190 acres. This farm stocks bulls and AI breeding techniques used to maximise genetic gain in the herd with and a percentage of replacement heifers are AI’d with sexed semen. They have also implemented a herd health programme using blood mineral profiles to determine mineral deficiencies.

TDF Fertility Farm No 3 is that of Oliver McKenna at Eskra also in Co. Tyrone.  The McKenna family run an autumn and spring calving herd comprising of 60 suckler cows on 88 acres. The herd has a calving index of 382 days. This farm uses one hundred percent AI usage within the herd; Uses genetic data and performance recorded sires to enhance breeding decisions and employs strict replacement heifer selection.

 

Finally, TDF Fertility Farm No 4 belongs to John Egerton of Roslea in Co. Fermanagh. The Egerton family run an autumn and spring calving herd comprising of approximately 90 suckler cows on 183 acres. The herd has a calving index of 371 days. The Egerton’s use a one hundred percent AI breeding system; Heat detection collars used with a teaser bull to detect cows on heat; Handling facilities developed to enable one person to move cattle for

 

AI insemination and breeding is focused on maternal characteristics.

Each of the above farmers are passionate about improving suckler cow fertility within their herds through the use of selective breeding, improved animal health and rigorous data collection and are keen to share these with everyone.

 

The following technologies will be demonstrated on each of the selected farms: Pre-breeding health Check of the breeding herd; Heat detection systems; Pregnancy diagnosis; Herd health plan and Sire selection.

It is anticipated that each farm will host between eight and twelve visits for groups of between five and twenty-five farmers. However, due to the current COVID 19 pandemic this will be kept under constant review.

The Technology Demonstration Farm Scheme is part of the NI Rural Development Programme and is funded by DAERA and the EU.

 

For further information in relation to Technology Demonstration Farms, please contact CAFRE KT admin on 028 9442 6790 or E-mail: kt.admin@daera-ni.gov.uk

 

For further details in relation to the technologies demonstrated on each farm, please E-mail: Natasha.Ferguson@daera-ni.gov.uk

Notes to editors: 

  1. The department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the department’s internal records management system. The department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
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