Heinz Eggert

Address: Sheplands Farm, Sherlockstown, Sallins, Co. Kildare

Farm Size: 67 Ha

Soil type: Straffan soil series (Fine loamy drift with limestone) – High water table with slow spring growth

Farming system: Spring calving, calf-to-store system

Farm plan: To achieve a gross margin of €900-1,000/Ha. This farm has moved away from a split calving herd and has now established a 90 cow spring calving herd with the mean calving date matching the commencement of the farm’s grass growth. Traditionally, male progeny were sold live as 16 month bulls off grass now. However, due to market demands Heinz may switch to selling steers at 18-19 months of age. Heifers are either sold as stores at 18 months or finished on farm. Replacements are bred from a maternal stock bull. A lot of emphasis has been placed on herd health, record keeping, cash-flow budgeting and grassland management.

This farm will aim to demonstrate best practices for a spring calving suckling-to-store/finishing system.