Trevor Boland’s 2024 farm review: Breeding, performance and finances
Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor, visits Trevor Boland in Co. Sligo, and reflects on the herd’s breeding and animal performance, along with the returns achieved from his autumn-calving suckler system.
Trevor farms 45ha in Bunnafedia, Co. Sligo in partnership with his father Joseph and his wife Tara. They operate a 50-cow, autumn-calving herd and buy in 40 store heifers in spring that are finished in autumn of the same year. The suckler bull calves are sold at 10-12 months and the heifers are retained to finish under 24 months.
A successful breeding and calving system
The autumn calving season went well for Trevor, as confirmed by his ICBF calving performance report. A total of 50 females calved down last autumn, with a calving interval of 375 days - just shy of the 365-day target. Contributing to this success was a strict breeding season, calving cows at grass and culling cows not in calf.
Mortality on the farm remains low at 3.8%, with only two calf losses out of 53 born. Even with three sets of twins in the mix, Trevor is still achieving 0.97 calves per cow per year.
Of the 50 calvings, 11 were heifers, all calving down between 22-26 months of age - a figure well ahead of the national average of 22% for heifers calving in this age range. The six-week calving rate also remains strong at 66%, matching last year’s performance.
While the total calving spread extended to 24 weeks due to one later-calving cow, the season kicked off on 15th July and wrapped up on 31st December. Some 64% of the calves were sired through AI, with the remainder coming from a Saler stock bull.
Calf performance and feeding
Calves are currently receiving 1.5kg of a 16% crude protein nut per head per day, while cows are not fed any supplementary ration. The calves are grazing by day and have access to the shed by night.
Weighing on 5th January revealed the following results:
- Bulls (26 head): Averaged 179kg, with an average daily gain (ADG) of 0.96kg from birth. Weights ranged from 70kg (youngest) to 229kg.
- Heifers (20 head): Averaged 141kg, with an ADG of 0.75kg from birth. Weights ranged from 55kg to 218kg.
On further analysis, the lightest third of the calves showed clear reasons for their lower weight gains. Some were twins, others were from cows earmarked for culling, and a few had struggled post-birth. Additionally, younger calves within the group may have faced competition for feed from older, stronger comrades.
Financial overview: 2024 Profit Monitor results
Trevor has now completed his Profit Monitor for 2024 and is satisfied with the year’s financial outcomes. His output per livestock unit (LU) increased to 308kg/LU from 282kg/LU in 2023 - moving in the right direction but still below the target of 350kg/LU for a suckler system.
The biggest influences on this figure include: fertility; genetics; mortality; nutrition; and overall management. Given the challenging weather conditions throughout 2024, Trevor knew that the weights on bought-in heifers were below target but still opted to sell them to maintain winter housing space. Looking ahead to 2025, he plans to purchase heavier heifers to ensure they finish off grass at a higher carcass weight.
His stocking rate stands at 2.09 LU/ha or 159kg organic N/ha, meaning he is not in derogation.
The gross output per hectare came in at €1,983/ha, marking a 9% increase from €1,810/ha in 2023. This figure represents the total revenue from cattle sales minus purchases and inventory changes.
Key costs and profitability
The three biggest costs on the farm remain:
- Ration: €200/ha (up €64/ha from 2023)
- Contractor: €285/ha (up €27/ha from 2023)
- Fertiliser: €287/ha (down €95/ha from 2023)
Total variable costs amounted to €1,075/ha - 54% of the gross output, slightly above the target of <50%.
Meanwhile, fixed costs dropped to €515/ha from €586/ha last year due to reduced spending on repairs, maintenance, and land rental. However, Trevor anticipates an increase in 2025 as he considers investing in a new cattle shed.
Despite these expenses, the cattle enterprise returned a net margin of €394/ha, a significant 55% increase from €224/ha in 2023 - before direct payments and subsidies.
Looking ahead
Trevor’s herd continues to perform well, both in terms of breeding efficiency and financial returns. With a focus on improving weight gains, adjusting heifer purchases, and investing in infrastructure, 2025 looks to be another strong year for the farm.