Fourth-generation Limerick farmer to host Pure Friesian open day

CAPPAMORE Show takes place on Saturday, August 19 but there is also a super agricultural showcase in the parish this Thursday, June 29.

Gearoid and Sarah Maher are delighted to be chosen by the Irish Pure Friesian Club to host this year’s open day in Killuragh, near Cappamore which their pure Friesian herd is named after.

The event, in association with the Irish Holstein Friesian Association, is sponsored by Dairygold, FBD and the NDC.

A fourth-generation dairy farmer, Gearoid took over the farm in 2011 aged 26.

Graduating with an honours degree in Agricultural Science, Gearoid had always planned to return home to the family farm and re-commence dairy farming. The task was challenging as the infrastructure was outdated and the quality of the grassland swards was poor. Heavy investment was required to modernise the farm.

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However, through determination, grit and a positive mindset Gearoid progressed forward with the support of wife Sarah - they have two children together Sally Kate and Lily.

A herd of cows was assembled, he re-established the Killuragh prefix with IHFA and thus started a new chapter for the herd, building for a better and progressive future.

Gearoid said the land is a very heavy clay type soil.

“Our average grazing season would range from 200 to 240 days. I knew I couldn’t change the land so I focused on the cow. The cow was going to be the engine of the farm. I considered all the different breeds but I felt that due to the type of land and the length of farm road I had, that a pure Friesian cow would suit the farm.

“My stocking was always going to be limited so I felt that my cull cow has a huge value to me as do my bull calves. There was also an element of tradition in my decision as my father and his father before him all bred pedigree Friesian cows. So, I purchased 40 pedigree pure Friesian cows, the majority from the Dunum herd and some from the Gortfadda herd. This was the foundation of my farm and these cows were the establishment of my pedigree herd. Some of these cows are the mainstay of the herd to this day - which now stands at 107 cows,” said Gearoid.

Being a new entrant, he said the advice was to focus on EBI and only breed a cow from a number on a page.

“I thought this was mad. A suckler farmer would never buy a bull from just looking at a book! I decided to look at what the dams and gran dams were producing and from there I focused on breeding for milk and protein because every other trait is a given. I joined the Irish Pure Friesian club. I was nervous enough joining the club because here you had experts breeding cows for generations and I was very new to the scene.

“However, the club members and officers were very welcoming. Whether you are milking 20 cows or 500 cows or you had good land or bad land, everybody in the club is just passionate about breeding excellent cows,” said Gearoid.

The Maher’s herd has grown to 80 cows producing 6,600kgs at 4.08% fat and 3.56% protein.

This has been achieved from marginal land and all from cows that are minus for milk! They also have heifers bred from the club’s bulls producing an average of 5,600kgs. The calving interval is close to 365 days and the empty rate is generally 4 to 5% with a submission rate to first service consistently over 90% and 70 % conception rate to first service.

Currently there are three EX cows and 23 VG cows.

There are eight cows of eighth lactation and older in the herd, demonstrating fertility, health and longevity attributes.

“My farm has turned full circle from an almost derelict holding to a profitable enterprise in just one decade. My cows and cow type are the pillar to my success. The pure Friesian is probably the most underrated breed in the country but to me the pure Friesian cow is a high producing, highly fertile, low maintenance cow,” said Gearoid.

The quality of the herd is such that the Mahers were national finalists in the Kerrygold and National Dairy Council Quality Milk Awards 2022.

Gearoid and Sarah are very grateful to Temple Street Hospital whose expert care of their eldest daughter Sally Kate when she was sick as a young baby is greatly appreciated. A fundraiser for Temple Street charity is to take place as part of the open day. You can also donate online at idonate.ie.

All are welcome to Killuragh, Cappamore this Thursday, June 29.