Laois farmers to host farm open day to learn more about Aubrac cattle

On Saturday 12 October, Laois famers Cathal and William Bannon will be hosting a farm open day to highlight the versatility of Aubrac cattle.

The farmers from Portarlington run a dairy enterprise alongside a heard of Aubrac cattle in Lea, County Laois. 

In conjunction with the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society, the two farmers set out on the day to demonstrate the breed's potential across dairying, suckler farming and alternative forms of farming. 

Since 2016, the Bannons have been crossing Aubrac bulls in their dairy herd and have been breeding 17 pedigree breeding females under the Wilcot prefix since 2017. The Wilcot herd received the first-place prize for small pedigree herds in the society’s most recent herds competition, which is a testament to stock quality.

The Bannons have developed a particular interest in French Aubrac polled sires, which they have availed of through the society’s breed development programme, for their pedigree herd in recent years.

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Commenting on how he became interested in Aubrac cattle, Cathal said: "Our venture into Aubracs is the result of curiosity. Relatives of ours had been using Aubrac straws on their dairy herd. They were drawn to their ease of calving and short gestation. Calves were well-conformed and easy to sell.

"I wanted to try the breed myself, so I purchased an Aubrac bull in 2016 and bred him to heifers. I have not looked back since, and that was eight years ago."

Cathal continued, saying: "Aubracs are our breed of choice when it comes to beef usage within our dairy herd on heifers and cows; we do not use any other beef breed. They are efficient feed converters, grade well and have high kill-out percentages.

"We retain our dairy-bred progeny until they are 18-months and sell them to finishers. We sell some dairy-bred Aubrac heifers to commercial suckler farmers, with growing interest from those in organics."

Cathal explained that there are many benefits to breeding Aubracs: "For me, I have always liked something different. Aubracs tick all boxes, being easy calved, easy fed and easy finished."

Another reason why the Bannons chose this breed, is that selling Aubrac bulls to dairy farmers has been additional revenue stream to diversify the farm. 

The Bannons sell bulls predominately to dairy farmers who have an opportunity to view their first-crosses, of varying ages, on the farm.

Cathal added: "As we keep progeny until they are older, we generally have the present and previous year’s crop of progeny on the ground, so farmers can see for themselves.

"This instils more confidence in buyers, particularly those trying the Aubrac breed for the first time. We have built up a base of retaining customers over the years."

The farm open day offers people the opportunity to learn more about Aubrac cattle, including the use of Aubrac on the dairy herd, the potential to use first-cross dairy Aubrac as a suckler cow, fixed-time AI breeding protocol, organic farming with Aubracs and its commercial beef value.

The open day will feature guest speakers and will take place on Saturday 12 October from 1pm to 3pm.

Cathal Bannon concluded: "Our farm open day is targeted at calf rearers and buyers, dairy farmers toying with the prospects of using Aubrac on their herd, those in organics or considering this farming system, commercial suckler farmers, and fellow pedigree breeders."

"We look forward to welcoming everyone through the gates to demonstrate what the Aubrac breed has to offer across the board. The event is free to attend and open to all members of the public."