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Reduced overheads, ease of calving, and an attractive premium at slaughter, are all reasons why County Londonderry suckler herd owner, David Torrens, introduced Aberdeen-Angus bloodlines into his breeding programme.

By Julie Hazelton

David, who farms 200 acres in the townland of Brone on the outskirts of Garvagh, Northern Ireland, has been running Aberdeen-Angus stock bulls for more than 10 years. The main enterprises on the farm includes a 75-cow suckler herd and a flock of 120 commercial ewes.

Garvagh-based suckler herd owner, David Torrens, with a batch of home-bred Aberdeen Angus bullocks

The suckler herd comprises Continental crossbred cows which are split into two batches – spring and autumn calvers. “I like cows with good stature and bone. Up until three years ago I was buying replacement females, but now I’m introducing homebred heifers into the herd. They are all bred from my last senior stock bull, Calfward Primover D051. He was an Ankonian Elixir son with super figures – a terminal sire index of +32, a self replacing index of +44 and an excellent milk value of +17kg,” explained David.

He added:”I aim to retain the heifers bred from my best cows. To fit the selection criteria dams must be milky, have good confirmation and a nice temperament. I have a lovely batch of 15 maiden heifers almost ready for bulling.”

Heifers calve into the herd at about two years of age. “This is a one-man operation, so I like things to run smoothly from day-to-day. The Aberdeen-Angus is easy calving and the newborn calves are lively at birth. The Angus-bred dams are quiet and easily managed. They have plenty of milk and make super mothers.”

Calves are weaned at seven or eight-months-old. Spring-born calves are reared on their mothers at grass, while the autumn-born calves are housed in a creep area where they have access to ad-lib silage and a small amount of concentrates.

One of the Aberdeen-Angus bulls used in David Torrens' suckler herd

David is currently running two Aberdeen-Angus stock bulls. They include an easy calving son of Baronagh Euro which was purchased privately from a neighbouring pedigree breeder. The herd’s junior stock sire is Dalriada Thadeus H549, who was the champion at last year’s breed society show and sale in Dungannon. “This is a super bull. He’ll be three-years-old in September and is sired by Nakkeg Nord. I don’t mind paying for the right bull – a good bull with sound Breedplan figures is an investment for the future of my enterprise.” When selecting a stock bull David is looking for a long clean animal with good confirmation, sound legs and feet and good bone.

Progeny from the suckler herd is finished on farm and marketed through the Aberdeen-Angus scheme operated by Linden Foods in Dungannon – suppliers to Marks and Spencer.  To qualify for the Linden Foods Aberdeen Angus Club, all cattle must be the progeny of a pedigree registered Aberdeen Angus bull. Cattle must also be registered on the company’s database at least 21 days prior to slaughter.

David is a member of the Linden Select Farm scheme, which is similar to the Farm Quality Assurance scheme. All cattle are fully traceable, and farm audits are carried out on a regular basis.  Cattle marketed through the scheme attract a bonus payment of up to 36p/kg for U grades, and 30p/kg for R grades. “The bonus depends on the weight and grade of each individual carcass, but it equates to between £90 and £110/head,” said David.

Heifers are finished at about 20 months of age and weigh between 300 and 320kg deadweight. Bullocks are slaughtered between 20 and 21-months-old and achieve in the region of 370 to 410kg. The majority of David’s cattle are achieving R3 and 4L grades, with a few U grade carcasses.

“Aberdeen-Angus-bred progeny are easily reared and naturally fleshed on grass and silage. They grow exceptionally well and are nice placid cattle to work with,” concluded David, who pushes the cattle for 100 days prior to slaughter, feeding 5kg/head of a beef finishing ration which is mixed with home grown wholecrop wheat.