Cleland’s Legamaddy Dairy Farm Feature

SIMMENTAL BOOSTING PROFITS

AT CLELAND’S LEGAMADDY DAIRY FARM

Simmental is ticking the boxes and providing an additional source of income for dairy farmers Hamilton and Andria Cleland, and son Matthew, from Legamaddy Farm, Downpatrick, County Down.

Farming 270 acres, the main enterprise on the County Down farm is a 130-cow commercial dairy herd averaging over 8,000 litres at 4.3% butterfat and 3.3% protein.

Hamilton’s experience of using Simmental stock bulls spans over 40 years. “My father always had a Simmental bull, so I’ve grown up to appreciate the physical and financial benefits of the breed’s maternal and terminal traits.”

He added: ”We established Legamaddy Farm 11 years ago. Prior to that I farmed in partnership with my father and brother.

“Milk prices had started to plummet, and as dairying was our main enterprise, we had to explore new ways to sustain the farm business. There were good sheds on the farm, and after securing additional conacre land, we decided to finish Simmental beef from the dairy herd.” Legamaddy Farm, winner of the NFU’s Tidy Farmyard Award in 2019, has also built-up a strong reputation for its quality crossbred Simmental progeny. The Cleland family regularly benefit from farmgate sales of dropped calves and suckler replacement females.

“We have a number of repeat customers for calves and heifers,” added Hamilton. Two-week-old dropped calves command between £270 and £300 per head, while suckler farmers are willing to pay well above market average for replacement maiden heifers.”

Over the years Simmental stock bulls have been purchased at NI Simmental Club sales, and privately from pedigree herds such as Slievenagh and Craigy. The most recent purchase at the club’s Dungannon sale in April was the 3,000gns Rehall Karl bred by William and Keith Stubbs, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh.

Now two-years-old, he was sired by the 8,500gns Islavale Cracker, and is out of a home-bred dam by Drumacritten Callum. Rehall Karl is ranked in the breed’s top 20% for calving ease +2.2, and eye muscle area +4.7. His first calves are due late December, early January 2022.

When selecting a stock bull Hamilton and Matthew opt for a well-grown, naturally fleshed bull with a good carcase and breed character. “Sound feet and legs are also important,” stressed Greenmount College graduate Matthew. “The bull has to be able to walk to and from the grazing fields on a daily basis with the cows.”

Hamilton added: “We like a correct bull that fills the eye, and has a well-natured docile temperament. Bulls are selected on visual appearance, and the Breedplan Estimated Breeding Values are an added bonus.”

We change the bulls every three or four years because they get too heavy for dairy cows. Fruitful bulls are sold on to suckler farmers where they continue to work for a number of years.”

Calving takes place between September and May, with dairy heifers calving into the herd at twenty-six-months of age. “The Simmental is easy calving and suitable for heifers. The calves are strong and lively at birth and thrive from day one,” added Spa Young Farmers’ Club member Matthew, who recently won the YFCU’s Tractor Driving competition at Balmoral Show. Calves are bucket reared for twelve weeks, and then introduced to a diet of silage, straw and concentrates. Matthew continued: “There is a strong demand for cross-bred Simmental calves and heifers off-farm. We sell forward stores in September and October at local livestock marts, and the remainder of bullocks and heifers are finished and sold direct to WD Meats.”

Performance is excellent, with heifers leaving the farm at desired weights between 22 and 23 months. Bullocks are finished around 24 to 25 months, with dead weights of between 370kgs and 420kgs. The majority are achieving R grade carcase confirmation with a fat score of 3.

Last autumn the bullocks were making upwards of £1,500 per head, but with current beef prices these Simmental cross animals could potentially sell for up to £1,700.

Hamilton Cleland with son Matthew

Rehall Karl