David Weir and some of his Aberdeen-Angus sired calves

The Weir family farm based on the outskirts of Dungannon, County Tyrone, is home to more than 100 suckler cows and followers. Recent times saw the farm purchase Aberdeen-Angus bulls, and as David Weir explained it makes perfect sense.

“Since opening our butchers shop three years ago we have seen for ourselves the overwhelming demand for Aberdeen-Angus beef across the counter. Customers often ask specifically for it as they are highly impressed with the mouth watering flavour and texture.”

The decision to run two black bulls was an easy one to make as there is a definite shortage of commercial Aberdeen Angus cattle in Northern Ireland, adds Mr Weir. “It is very difficult to source any volume of commercial Angus out of a certified bull.”

Mr Weir has also found that Aberdeen-Angus sired calves are quick to get to their feet and suckle. “They are grass fed until weaning. This is a tremendous bonus that they do not require additional feeding by way of concentrate. The cost of meal has increased dramatically in recent times, and since using the Aberdeen Angus bulls we have found that our bills have actually reduced. When the calves are weaned they receive a crimped wheat meal ratio made up from wheat grown on the farm.”

A typical Aberdeen-angus sired calves off one of the herd's suckler cows

An added plus point of the breed, which is clearly evident on the Weir farm, is the ability to finish beef earlier than many other Continental breeds.”We have found we can produce well finished steers and heifers at about 15 months of age which again has had a positive impact on our overheads”

Aberdeen-Angus sirloin steaks

The finished product is sold over the counter at the busy butchers shop that he runs in partnership with son in law Clayton Moore. M&W Meats opened the doors for business in September 2006, and have since enjoyed tremendous success building a reputation for selling consistently good produce. The shop, which is based at Scotch Street, Moy Road, Portadown now supplies over a dozen retailers right throughout the district in addition to a busy over the counter trade.

Breeder Robin Lamb with Clayton Moore and David Weir

Mr Moore explains:”M&W Meats has grown from strength to strength as the word has spread that we don’t compromise on quality. We are proud of the selection of beef, chicken and pork products that we can offer consumers, in addition to a full range of cooked and ready for the oven dishes. Beef is hung for a minimum of 21 days to ensure that the flavour is just right for our customers – and they tell us they have never tasted better!”

The new website has been designed to bring members up to date information on Association events including show and sale reports as well as general agricultural news. It will also be working alongside the UK site www.aberdeen-angus.com with direct links between the two.

Breeders and producers will be able to access all the relevant information through the Breeders Resources sections, linking direct to the national database. Catalogues for sales can be downloadable and more information on regional club activity will also be included.

Designed by site developers and designers Show Business and mooandbaa.com, the new site is a dynamic and vibrant addition to the Associations. Speaking of the launch site Ballyfin, Portlaoise-based designer Lyndsey Behan of Show Business said: “The new site will offer a place for breeders to source livestock for sale as well as advertise sale stock. We have placed a much greater emphasis on news including show and sale results, making the website a one-stop shop for breeders and beef producers keen on following the success of the Aberdeen-Angus breed.”

Breeder and council member Albert De Cogan said: “The site extenuates the importance of the membership and the relationship between the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association and the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society in Perth and it has the full backing and support from the Perth office. It will cater for all breeder needs and will no doubt greatly enhance the Associations’ PR and marketing offering.”

The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society chief exec Ron McHattie said: “Effective communication for breeders and members is an integral part of the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association’s objectives and the launch of this new website and its continual development is a statement of this objective.”

For more information on the website contact the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Brand Development Manager Chrissie Lawrence Tel: (+44) 01233 813510; mob (+44) 07909 524483; Email chrissie_lawrence@btinternet.com or contact the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association’s secretary Kathryn Bradshaw on 071 9632099 or email irishaberdeenangus@eircom.net

The show will see more than 80 entries including 32 bulls and 9 heifers for sale privately as per catalogue. Judging from will commence at 11 am with young handlers with the rest of the classes starting at 12 noon.

Mountrath is located on the N7, approx 5 miles after Portlaoise / M7

For more information contact Dermot Lynch +353 (0) 87 6204327 or Jim Mulvey +353 (0) 87 2560621.

In the Angus cross section, Sheemore Lass from Patrick Farrell’s Sheemore herd at Ballinwing, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim won. This spring 2008 born blue grey heifer out of a home-bred red Shorthorn cow was sired by Ireland most popular AA sire – the Dovea AI based Lawsons Ford Bagatelle Z097.

Sheemore Lass

This heifer captured the eye of the judge William Stoker from Roscommon, as soon as she stepped into the show ring on her first show outing this year.  She won numerous red rosettes when shown as a calf in summer/autumn 2008.

The pedigree section won by the March 2007 born female champion, Clooncolligan Daffodil, sired by Bohey Jasper, was bred and exhibited by Kevin Diffley, Clooncolligan, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim

The reserve supreme overall went to the reserve female champion from the Breaffy herd of Philip Munnelly, at Breaffy, Ballina, Co Mayo. This February 2007 female, Breaffy Pretty G329, is sired by their current stock bull Bunlahy Billy Boy D170, bred by Gerard Reynolds.

Breaffy Pretty G329

The male senior champion was Drumever Erick B408 sired by Drumcrow Prince Jero Z109, This 7 year old bull was shown by Brendan O’Mahony, from Claremorris, County Mayo. The reserve male spot went to Ben and Elaine Ryall’s Fellfort herd at Watergrasshill, County Cork with Ballydacker George G505.

“I’ve always used Angus AI on my MRI milking herd due to their easy calving ability, so it was natural for me to look for Angus cross calves once we stopped milking five years ago.” Calves are bought in at about two weeks old from local dairy producers and as far down south as Cork. “I find rearing them from a young age far easier than buying them in as stores; it’s also more cost effective. The biggest plus though is the nature of them. As suck calves they get used to you and are easy to handle when it comes to moving them from field to field.”

Claves this year have cost anything between 120 and 170 euro, and have been as dear as 200 euro, so it’s vital Mrs Gibney has a good handle on the cost of feed it takes to rear and how much she has to sell for to be profitable.

Yearling Angus cross dairy calves out at grass

Having been finished out at grass on the 90 acre farm with a little help from a home blend concentrate mixture, cattle are sold at 18-20 months to a wholesale retailer in Co Mayo where they have been coming back at about 750-800 euro. “Taking feed in to account I calculate how much they make me a month. With prices currently down as low as 750 euro they are back about 19-20euro a head. The best I can average is 40 euro a head, but on average it’s about 33 euro ahead.”

When a supply of quality Angus cross calves have been short, Mrs Gibney has bought in a few Hereford cross calves to keep the numbers up, but she says these take far slower to finish. “The longer I have them, the less they make me a month.”

Noreen Gibney discussing beef price with Leo McEnroe

And like the UK, store trade is “fierce” in Ireland, but Mrs Gibney says selling stores isn’t as easy for her. “We’re in a huge TB area here, so rearing calves and taking them right through is far easier for me without the hassle of being shut down for any length of time.