Kilkenny Farmer Champions Sustainability in Future Beef Programme

Ruairí Cummins, a farmer from Kilmoganny, is actively participating in the Future Beef Programme, joining a cohort of 24 farmers across the country. This initiative aims to foster sustainable and profitable farming practices while enhancing water quality, promoting biodiversity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Cummins manages approximately 38 hectares, focusing on a spring calving system. This spring, he plans to calve down 44 cows, with most bull calves destined for slaughter before reaching 16 months of age. Heifers and bullocks are sold as stores, aligning with the programme’s objectives of efficiency and sustainability.

Over the past two years, Cummins has significantly improved his herd’s technical efficiency, achieving an impressive 78% six-week calving rate—well above the national average. He regularly reaches 100% for heifers calved at 22-26 months, demonstrating his commitment to optimal breeding practices.

Enhancing Safety and Infrastructure

Calving season can present various challenges, particularly concerning safety for both livestock and handlers. To address these issues, Cummins has implemented several changes to enhance health and safety on his farm. He installed new handling facilities and acquired a mobile handling unit equipped with weighing scales, facilitating safer management of cattle that require treatment or routine vaccinations.

Prior to the calving season, Cummins conducts thorough checks of all calving pens to ensure that calving gates function properly. This proactive approach allows him to safely intervene should a cow require assistance during the calving process.

Cummins also leverages data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) to monitor expected calving dates. This system enables him to identify cows due to calf and utilize the data collected as part of the Sustainable Beef Programme (SCEP) to enhance calving details and survey results. Insights regarding calf and dam docility allow him to select suitable breeding candidates based on temperament.

Recognized for Excellence

Cummins’ dedication to improving his herd’s performance is reflected in his current five-star docility sub-index rating on the Euro Star index. Through careful management and data utilization, he has successfully enhanced both the technical performance of his herd and the safety infrastructure on his farm.

Overall, Ruairí Cummins exemplifies the forward-thinking approach advocated by the Future Beef Programme, balancing productivity with environmental stewardship. His efforts not only contribute to his farm’s profitability but also support broader goals of sustainability in agriculture.