Limousin cows are the number one suckler-bred dams in Ireland, due to their high fertility, good milking ability, high conception rates and ease of calving. Recently, we caught up with Skibbereen mart manager, Gerry O’Sullivan, who said that Limousin or Limousin-cross cows are popular with farmers in the locality.
O’Sullivan noted that the quality of Limousin cattle is good, with the mart starting to see a more consistent supply of 2021 autumn born calves coming on stream. The quality of these Limousin weanlings is exceptional and predominately U-grading, he said.
“Suckler farmers in the area have reduced numbers – or dispersed their herds – but the farmers that are still at sucklers are breeding top-quality stock, and the type of Limousin-sired calves presented week in, week out is great.”
In terms of who’s buying these weanlings, it is mostly farmers for further feeding, with the select few heifers going on for breeding, he highlighted.
Touching on AI uptake in the area, he said: “There has been an increase in AI usage in recent years – especially within the autumn-calving suckler herd and this has lead to an increase in calf quality.”
He said that weanling prices are hovering around the €3.30-3.40/kg mark, with tops paid of €3.50/kg. However, lack of rain and lower grass growth hampered the trade recently, but it is expected to lift again with the rainfall over the past week.
