Farmers Profiles
Peter Luttrell
The Raheenadeeragh Herd was established by my grandfather shortly after he bought the farm in 1921.
The interest in the Shorthorn Breed was passed on to me by my mother who actively managed the herd herself. The docility of the breed and their ease of calving were two of the main attractions of the breed for us.
I expanded and developed the herd and it is now in the top 15% countrywide in key performance indicators.
Market outlet for my heifers is never a problem with a lot of repeat business from many parts of the country.
I’m delighted with the new Irish Shorthorn Premium Beef Scheme. This major development for the breed will provide an outlet for male progeny. It is my intention to bring all male progeny to beef and avail of the 15 cent per kilo bonus.
Shane and Frances Brigdale
Rowanberry Herd
The Rowanberry Beef Shorthorn Herd was established in 2001 when we started crossing Beef Shorthorn bulls on our traditional Irish Shorthorn cows. Our aim was to produce a more efficient suckler cow, retaining such maternal traits as milk and ease-of-calving while simultaneously improving carcass conformation and output. This breeding strategy was complemented by regular purchases of Beef Shorthorn bulls and heifers from the U.K alongside careful selection of AI sires.
Today we have a working herd of about 50 select females. The Shorthorn’s structural soundness, hardiness and docility facilitate ease of management which is a huge bonus as we work off farm. Our cattle are sold privately at home and at Irish Shorthorn Society sales. In recent years we have seen an increase in demand for Shorthorn bulls both in Ireland and the UK for use in Pedigree herds and also Commercial herds to cross on Limousin and Simmental females. We have also sold bulls into several Dairy herds where they certainly add quality and improved conformation to their off-spring.
While we do a small amount of showing our-selves with many successes in the show-ring, it is a testament to our breeding strategy that the first, second and third heifers in the 2016 Beef Shorthorn All-Ireland Yearling Heifer Championship were each sired by three different Rowanberry bulls. Here at Rowanberry Farm our slogan is ‘the fusion of Form and Function’ and we will remain committed to promoting and improving Shorthorn cattle for the forseeable future.
Michael Conway
Clonina Shorthorns
The Clonina herd was started in 1998, previous to this we had a commercial herd running with a pedigree Charolais bull . It was during this time that we noticed the shorthorn cows in the herd were breeding superior quality calves. When we sold the commercial herd we decided to start a pedigree beef shorthorn herd, because of this quality and the ease of handling as shorthorn’s are quiet and are a pleasure to work with.
Shorthorn cattle at times are ignored in the beef industry, and specifically in the Suckler sector. In my opinion this is to the detriment of the beef industry in Ireland.
With this in mind I was delighted to be involved in the setting up of the Irish Shorthorn Society in 2004. This was difficult at the time as we had to divide into two herd books in order to concentrate on the two different businesses for shorthorn cattle.
I am delighted to report that the shorthorn breed has greatly improved its position and popularity in the last few years.
Shorthorn dams are not only great mothers and the ideal suckler cow, but shorthorn cattle produce high quality marbled beef, very high in omega three, high in vitamins and minerals.
I am delighted to get involved in the shorthorn marketing company. The partnership with the Shorthorn Marketing Company and ABP gives members the opportunity to bring Irish bred Shorthorn and Shorthorn cross cattle (sired by a pedigree registered shorthorn bull) to the market under the Irish Shorthorn premium quality Beef brand.
I believe that the shorthorn beef scheme will improve the market for shorthorn steers and in the long term will improve the market for the beef shorthorn bull as the scheme develops.
Today at Clonina we strive to breed beef bulls that meet the demands of today’s market with a watchful eye on conformation, fertility, milk and ease of maintenance.