Family farm benefit from CAFRE discussion groups

Date published: 12 August 2025

The Hamill family farm is just outside Crumlin, County Antrim. The farm comprises of a pedigree Shorthorn and commercial suckler herd, local farm sourced dairy x calves and a crossbred sheep enterprise. The Hamills were previously members of CAFRE Business Development Group (BDG), facilitated by local advisers and it was through these groups that helped the family farm expand their technical knowledge.

The suckler enterprise comprises 10 pedigree Shorthorn and 15 commercial cows calving during May and June once lambing finishes, with a further 10 heifers due to calve in the coming months.

Herd health is paramount to the Hamills, and with this they are members of the AFBI Cattle Health Scheme. Other areas which are also crucial to their business are genetics and fertility.

Careful evaluation of all females’ individuals’ traits, genetic potential, and suitability for their breeding goals are carried out on farm. In doing so, a mixture of natural service and artificial insemination (AI) have been used on the farm. Commercial cows are mainly Angus dairy x, with a proportion put to Shorthorn to breed replacements. The remaining commercials are AI’d to a selection of Limousin sires.

After investing in a new Shorthorn bull last year and being impressed by calves currently on the ground, the Hamills decided to put all eligible females to the stock bull this year. The advantage of this going forward is the hope of tightening up the calving period even more to help management, especially with Andrew and Gregory working off farm. Some of the advantages highlighted during the visit included easier calf management, reduced disease risk and reduced labor.

Moving forward, the 10 heifers due to calve shortly were all placed on a synchronisation programme and artificially inseminated (AI’d). Within the group, all pedigrees heifers were AI’d to pedigree Shorthorn sires and the commercials heifers were AI’d to mixture of Shorthorn and Limousin considering Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) of the sires in question.

Before starting the breeding protocol on the heifers, Andrew and Gregory had originally identified 12 heifers. It was at this point that they conducted pelvic measuring/pelvic scoring across the entire batch to assess the size and shape of the heifer’s pelvis to determine suitability for breeding. This was the first time they had carried out measurements on replacement stock after learning about it at previous CAFRE discussion group meetings. As a result of the scoring, it was determined that two heifers were unsuitable for breeding.

Andrew commented: “Looking at those two heifers they were originally selected due to their size and looks. It was only after completing the pelvic measurement scoring that we discovered they had smaller pelvic openings. This can mean they are more prone to calving difficulties and therefore the decision was made to beef them.”

Within the sheep enterprise, the same focus on genetics and fertility has been implemented. Ewes are regularly assessed, with a strong breeding selection protocol in place. The lambing season has been reduced in recent years, with a strong emphasis on a shorter breeding season length, with teasers used and strict in and out dates for the Texel rams. Again, this is to help management.

On his time attending the CAFRE discussion groups, Andrew stated: “We are always pushing to improve the farm and while attending the discussion group meetings organised by CAFRE, we have expanded our technical knowledge. This has allowed us to improve physical performance and overall farm profitability rates over the past number of years. Through the groups, we have adopted several technologies on the farm, many of which were a result of visiting other farms within the groups.”

Andrew also commented: “Our plan is to continue working alongside CAFRE within their newly launched discussion groups. We know farming is constantly changing, and with both Gregory and I working out full-time, we want to continue expanding our knowledge with the latest advice and we see the discussion groups as a great way to keep up to date and learn from our CAFRE adviser and fellow farmers.”

Jack commented on the CAFRE, newly launched Suckler Cow Fertility Themed Groups: “This is a short-term programme (up to two years) aimed at helping farmers improve their sucker cow fertility. With the DAERA Suckler Cow Scheme having been launched this year, farmers can learn how to optimise the benefits of the scheme through the Themed Groups. We can see here at the Hamill farm the many benefits gained from peer-to-peer learning to help improve their suckler herd performance.”

CAFRE is currently recruiting for the new programme of Suckler Cow Fertility Themed Groups. If you have suckler cows and are looking to develop your knowledge and innovation, apply now to improve your business or visit the CAFRE website and select “Apply for Suckler Cow Fertility Themed Groups” on our homepage. Applications close on Friday 19 September at 4pm.