Jarlath Ruane
Location: Corbally, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Farm size: 45ha
Current System: 20-24 month steers
Local Teagasc Advisor: Cathal Conaty
After graduating from Mountbellew Agricultural College in 2018, Jarlath decided to get more involved with the running of the home farm alongside his father Austin.
The first 10 dairy-bred calves were bought in 2016 and, after the successful rearing of them, they decided to further increase numbers in 2017 and 2018. The Ruanes purchase 50 to 60 calves annually, with breeds consisting of Friesian, Limousin and Angus. A number of store steers are purchased also in the spring for finishing off grass in the autumn time.
The farm was initially made up of three blocks of land; two owned (18.5ha) and one leased (6.5ha) and is currently stocked at 2.8LU/ha. In 2022, another 9ha leased block requiring some reseeding and reclamation was taken on; work will commence on this task in the middle of 2022.
A good paddock system, including water troughs and road ways, has been implemented on the farm. This allows for the ease of movement of cattle, herding and good grassland management, all of which are important as both Jarlath and Austin work full time off farm.