Cork Limousin club had a very informative farm open day and YMA event on the Farm of Pat and Ann O’Flynn on Sunday 3rd of November 2024. A large crowd gathered on farm in Milford to view Pat’s cattle and for the YMA event.

In the past year 77 calves have been born – 43 bull calves and 34 heifer calves, 20 of the calves were born to first calvers. Pat uses 100% AI with Limousin bulls in high usage. The current selection of sire are:

AI code	Bull Name
LM4351	Grenache
LM8616	Lisna Sir
LM4217	Knell
LM 8259	Keltic Rembrandt
LM3713	Nebbiolo
LM8622	Ardlea Rigby
All available from Munster Bovine

Pat’s cows have an average 5 star Replacement index of €116.

On farm are 37 maiden heifer over a year old – these have a 5-star Replacement index of €131, while the 34 heifers (0-1 year old) have a Replacement index of €131 also. These indexes put the herd well above the national average which is currently at €108.

Chris Daly of ICBF was on hand to go through the indexes and to give a run through the sire selection of the herd and the effect different sires have on different traits.

Veterinary Surgeon Eamon O’Flynn of the XL vet group in Kanturk gave a very insightful talk on the importance of vaccinations and dosing. He outlined the importance of knowing the correct weights to ensure the optimum dosage is given per animal. Natural Nutrition representative Donagh Creed was present to show the many products on offer.

Anthony Buckley of Munster Bovine spoke on the bulls currently available, progeny of many of these were on view.

Factory agents Kieran O’Sullivan and Gavin Healy from ABP spoke about the cattle they have acquired from the herd. Pat’s cattle grade exceptionally well.

Pat regularly weighs the cattle on farm and uses these weights to see how each animal is performing. He had a group of 14 young bulls from various sires on view and had weighed each in June, August and October – below is the results of the weight gain from the group.

Sire	June weight	August weight	October Weight	Diff June-Aug	Diff Aug-Oct	Daily wgt Gain
Knell	498	618	794	120	176	2.93
Grenache	380	494	640	114	146	2.43
Zag	466	564	702	98	138	2.30
Keltic Rembrandt	442	508	646	66	138	2.30
Zag	464	532	670	68	138	2.30
Knell	394	486	594	92	108	1.80

These young bulls were born from 4th August 2023-4th September 2023.

After viewing the cattle, Denise O’Donovan took command of a very informative YMA event. Denise had a captive audience of young cattle enthusiasts. Denise explained the importance of safety when working with cattle and than went through the necessary equipment when training an animal, washing and exhibiting. John O’Connell of the Lyragh herd gave a demo on washing, drying and handling an animal. John pointed out the importance of keeping the animal calm and making sure all cables/hoses are tidy and to ensure nothing became a danger or hazard to man or beast. Once the heifer was washed and dry, Tim O’Donovan clipped the heifer. The engaged audience were shown how to make halters by Tim O’Donovan.

Winner of the guess the weight was Denis Holmes.

 

Three heifers were used for a guess the weight competition. The combined weight of the three heifers was 1868kgs, The five closest estimates were:

1st Billy Cronin

2nd Tom O’Leary

3rd Timmy McCarthy

4th Jim O’Donovan

5th Brian Frawley

Prizes were supplied in the form of AI vouchers by Munster Bovine, Dovea Genetics, Eurogene, World Wide Sires and Elite Pedigree  Genetics.

Thank you

Many thanks to Pat, Ann and the O’Flynn family, we wish you continued success with your smashing herd of cattle.

Thanks to Denise and Tim O’Donovan and John O’Connell for the expert cattle demos. Many thanks to Eamon O’Flynn, Anthony Buckley, and Chris Daly for the informative talks. Thanks also to Kieran and Gavin from ABP Rathkeale and to Donagh Creed Natural Nutrition. Many thanks to our sponsors: Munster Bovine, Dovea Genetics, Eurogene, World Wide Sires and Elite Pedigree Genetics.

Thanks to Ann, Kate Noonan and Bridget Roche for the refreshments. Many thanks to Brid Cronin, James Wycherley and Adrian Buckley for their help in the lead up to this event. Finally thanks to MC on the day Kieran Noonan for organising this well ran event.