Barrowvale Herd

The Barrowvale Pedigree Friesian Herd was set up by Michael Dempsey and has been in existence for over 50 years. Many of the original stock came from the Ballyrogan herd in Co. Wicklow and the Mellifont herd in Co. Louth as well as some stock that Michael graded up. The milking platform is only 23 acres milking on average about 28-30 cows but with the emphasis on breeding, a large part of the farm income was made from the sale of bulls and other stock.

The herd is in the safe hands of Oliver Dempsey. Oliver explains: "I took over the farm, I decided to continue the British Friesian tradition and in recent years I have been flushing some of our best cows to accelerate the genetic gain. I believe that there will be a renewed emphasis on the British Friesian when longevity, fertility and calf welfare are taken into account. The recent drop in many of the figures for genomic bulls convinces me that we need to maintain a strong focus on a bull’s parentage figures and be careful about relying solely on genomics. I believe that using a well selected stock bull, or team of stock bulls for larger herds, is an important strategy for herds who are looking to reduce labour, get better conception rates and to clean up after AI. In terms of sire selection, I believe the British Friesian is still the best solution in an Irish grass based Spring calving system and where the Friesian bull calf is still an important contributor towards the overall profitability of the herd."

6 of our cows made it into the top 50 EBI list of all Pure Friesian cows classified VG/EX in Ireland. Three of those cows were daughters or granddaughters VML. VML was a son of Barrowvale Damsel 21 (EX 91 4E) and still has sons and grandsons in AI to this day. Barrowvale Sabrina 40 was our top producer in 2019, she produced 10142KGs of milk at 4.25% Butterfat and 3.57% Protein which was a total of 793KGs of milk solids. She is by KLX and is classified EX92. She has 2 daughters milking in the herd, one of her daughters(Sabrina 63) was our highest milking second calver last year by JRB.

We flushed Sabrina 40 in 2017 and we have some more of her daughters calving down as first calvers next month and we had 4 more of her ET calves born in July this year. We flushed two of her daughters as well, Sabrina 63 who is by JRB and Sabrina 64 who is by RVJ. We also flushed Debbie 18 who is by RVJ and Dheaty 76 who is by CZZ. Sabrina 63’s son will be in the Kilkenny bull show and sale in 2021 if Covid-19 doesn’t have any say in the matter😊.

 

Damsel 56 is our highest producer so far for 2020 and is by PDY. She gave 10641KGs of milk at 4.16% butterfat and 3.62% Protein which was a total of 828KGs of milk solids. She is classified VG87. We flushed her 3 times in 2019 but we only got 3 embryos, hopefully we’ll have some good luck with those. 3 cows from the Barrowvale herd were ranked in the top 3 pure Friesian EBI cows in Ireland in Spring 2020, they are Damsel 70 by RVJ, Dobee 55 by JRB and Dobee 48 by VML. Dobee 48 is on her 9th lactation and was classified EX92 5E this year. In 2019 we received another award for the highest EBI Pure Friesian herd from the Irish Holstein Friesian Breeders(IHFA). Some of our bulls are being genomically tested for entry to AI so fingers crossed with those.

AWARDS: 

BARROWVALE DHEATY 62 EX 91 2E by JRB winner of the Pure Friesian Herds Competition in 2018 for the highest Protein at 4.44%.

BARROWVALE DHEATY 49 VG 89 by VML winner of the Pure Friesian Herds Competition in 2019 for the highest Protein at 4.24%.

Barrowvale Google 3 (FR7695) was purchased by Eurogene AI in 2021

 

We regularly have a selection of pedigree bulls for sale ranging from young calves up to 2 years old. We have been using a number of the top outcross British Friesian bulls from the UK and Irish AI. We also have a limited number of embryos for sale. Visitors are always more than welcome to call in for a visit and to view our selection of bulls and milking cows. If you have any questions feel free to call me on my mobile on 086 8219430.

 

Oliver Dempsey

Main picture: Barrowvale Dobee 48

559 Barrowvale Sabrina 40 8th lactation

Eating grass: Dobbee 48 9th Lactation

3rd image: Barrowvale debbie 18. (6th lact)

4th image Barrowvale Google 3 (FR7695) was purchased by Eurogene AI in 2021

5th image BARROWVALE DHEATY 49 VG 89 by VML winner of the Pure Friesian Herds Competition in 2019 for the highest Protein at 4.24%.

6th image BARROWVALE DHEATY 62 EX 91 2E by JRB winner of the Pure Friesian Herds Competition in 2018 for the highest Protein at 4.44%.

7th Image: 624 Barrowvale Damsel 56 VG88, highest yielding cow in 2021 with 828KGs of milk solids in 305 days.

 

January News Update from the Barrowvale Friesian Herd

Well it’s been another interesting year, between trying to manage grass during the Spring and Summer, making sense of the Glanbia restrictions, trying to work out these new soiled water and slurry spreading proposals, increased fertiliser prices on the cards for next year and who would have thought that we'd still be talking about Covid 19 in January 2022.  Well there's never a dull moment, that's for sure!! 

 

Environment

There has been a lot of talk about the environment recently and trying to reduce our carbon emissions.  LESS slurry spreading should make better use of nitrogen in the slurry, research is being carried out on reducing methane emissions through feed additives and vaccines.   In Denmark 30% of slurry is acidified in order to retain Nitrogen in the slurry and reduce emissions so that could have good potential. Reseeding and clover will also help to improve sward quality, increase milk yields and reduce nitrogen.  I would like to see Irish politicians fighting our case and doing more to emphasise how the Irish grass based dairy system is more environmentally friendly than the systems on the Continent.  Rather than talking about cutting cow numbers, they should  be advocating for the moving of milk production from the continent to Ireland where milk produced off grass will reduce costs and carbon emissions. 

 

British Friesian

The British Friesian is the ideal cow to produce milk from grass on a low to medium input system and still retain good health and fertility while producing a valuable calf every year.   I believe that using a well selected British Friesian stock bull, or team of stock bulls for larger herds, is an important strategy for herds who are looking to reduce labour, get better conception rates and to clean up after AI.   

 

Achievements

Last year we had a few more achievements that I might mention.  Firstly 6 of our cows made it into the top 50 EBI 2021 list for Pure Friesian cows classified VG/EX in Ireland.  Barrowvale Damsel 56 was our highest producer in 2020.  She gave 10,641KGs of milk at 4.16% butterfat and 3.62% Protein which was a total of 828KGs of milk solids.  She is classified VG88(See photo attached).  We flushed her in 2019 and got 3 embryos so between those and her own calf, we had 3 bulls and 1 heifer which are now nearly a year old.  One of her bulls will be at the bull show and sale in Kilkenny next March so hopefully he'll do well.   

 

Flushing

In 2020 we flushed Dobee 48 and we got 10 embryos, 8 bulls and 2 heifers.  Three of them were born in August, 5 were born in October and 2 in December.  Dobee 48 has completed 9 lactations and is classified EX92 5E.  As far as I know she is the highest EBI British Friesian cow classified VG/EX in Ireland with a current EBI of 220.  The Barrowvale Herd was awarded the highest EBI Pure Friesian Herd in Ireland in the last IHFA EBI competition. 

 

UK Success Story

We were delighted to hear about Carrickshock GTW becoming the highest ranked British Friesian bull in the UK in the last 12 months.  His great grandmother, Barrowvale Sis 34 was purchased by Pat Cleary from my father in 2005.  The Dobee and Dheaty families are related to the Sis family so it's great to see them doing so well.

 

Bull Launching for Irish AI

Eurogene Ireland have purchased one of our bulls for AI and they will be offering semen from him in the coming season.   If you want to keep an eye out for him, his name is Barrowvale Google 3, he has tremendous figures for milk and solids.  His lastest EBI is 226 which could mean he'll be the highest genomic British Friesian bull tested in Ireland this year.  As far as I know, sexed semen will be available from him also. 

 

Stock for Sale

At the moment we have a small selection of pedigree bulls for sale ranging from 6 months of age to 15 months.   We have been using a number of the top outcross British Friesian bulls from the UK and Irish AI.  We are selecting bulls on the basis of milk solids, fertility, udders, legs and feet and SCC.  If you are in the market for a pedigree British Friesian bull for next year, make sure to give us a shout.  Selecting a bull early is advisable for the best choice.  We will also have a waiting list for calved cows, calved heifers and embryos, if you would like to be added let me know.  Visitors are always welcome.

 

 

Best Regards

Oliver Dempsey

Oliver Dempsey

The Barrowvale Herd

086 8219430

Well 2022 was another busy and challenging year.  We thought we’d be ok when the Covid was over and then came the war in Ukraine, high fuel and fertiliser prices and a drought for half the Summer.  Ah well, at least the milk price was good😊 

Environment

There is still lots of talk about the environment and trying to reduce our carbon emissions.  However there is great progress being made with reducing emissions through LESS slurry spreading better use of nitrogen and the prospect of reducing methane emissions through feed additives and vaccines.   Slurry acidification could also have good potential in reducing ammonia emissions and maximising the nitrogen content of slurry. Reseeding, clover and breeding cows with better fertility will also have a positive impact on the environment.  Sustainable Energy and renewable energy are now being talked about a lot more.  Here in county Laois we have set up the Laois Dairy Farmers Sustainable Energy Community so hopefully we can demonstrate dairy farmers’ ability to reduce our emissions.

British Friesian

Getting back to the herd, new nitrates banding and the carbon index in the EBI may favour the British Friesian cow producing milk from grass on a low to medium input system retaining good health and fertility while producing a valuable calf every year.   I believe that using a well selected British Friesian stock bull, or team of stock bulls for larger herds, is an important strategy for herds who are looking to reduce labour, get better conception rates and to clean up after AI.   

Achievements

Last year we had a few achievements that I might mention.  Firstly 5 of our cows made it into the top 50 EBI 2022 list for Pure Friesian cows classified VG/EX in Ireland.  The Barrowvale Herd came third in the IHFA National Herds competition Pure Friesian Section this year and remains the last herd to be awarded the highest EBI Pure Friesian Herd in Ireland in the last IHFA EBI competition.   Recently, we had a couple of winners in the IHFA All Ireland Awards 2022.  Barrowvale Dobee 48 received the Champion Irish Pure Friesian Cow in Milk Award and Barrowvale Sabrina 79 received the Champion Irish Pure Friesian Heifer in Milk Award.

Top Cows

Barrowvale Sabrina 60 was our highest producer in 2022.  She gave 9,197KGs of milk at 4.23% Butterfat and 3.91% Protein on her 6th lactation.  This works out at a total of 749KGs of milk solids.  Had it not been for 6 weeks of drought, she would no doubt have given more.  Sabrina 60 sired by Dovea Jubilaris and she is classified EX90.  Barrowvale Dheaty 48 EX90 was our highest solids cow giving 7662kgs of milk at 4.73% Butterfat and 3.84% Protein.

Flushing and Bulls in AI

In 2020 we flushed Dobee 48 and we got 10 embryos, 8 bulls and 2 heifers.  Dobee 48 has completed 9 lactations and is classified EX92 5E.  She was the highest EBI British Friesian cow classified VG/EX in Ireland in 2020 and 2021.  Dovea purchased two of her bulls.  The first one is Barrowvale Jingle 9 ET with an EBI of €253 and his AI code is FR8887.  The second one is Barrowvale Google 8 ET with an EBI of €269 and his AI code is FR8896. 

We flushed Barrowvale Sabrina 41 EX93 5E again in 2021 and we implanted 7 embryos from her and froze two.  5 of the calves have been born so far(3 bulls and 2 heifers) and two more are due in February.  Some of the AI stations were enquiring about her bulls so fingers crossed.

Eurogene Ireland purchased Barrowvale Google 3 in 2021.   His EBI is €255 and his AI code is FR7695.  He was first used in 2022 so we should have calving figures for him shortly.   The 3 bulls listed above have tremendous figures for milk and solids and are positive for percentages. 

Stock for Sale

At the moment we have a selection of pedigree bulls for sale ranging from 10 months of age to 17 months.   We continue to use the top outcross British Friesian bulls from the UK and Irish AI.  We are selecting bulls on the basis of milk solids, fertility, udders, legs and feet and SCC.  If you are in the market for a pedigree British Friesian bull for next year, make sure to give us a shout.  Selecting a bull early is advisable for the best choice.  We will also have a waiting list for calved cows, calved heifers and embryos, if you would like to be added let me know.  Visitors are always welcome.

If you have any questions feel free to call me on my mobile on 086 8219430.

Best Regards

Oliver Dempsey

The Barrowvale Herd

086 8219430

Well it’s been a tough Spring, the ground is still wet in places, we had cows on and off grazing since the end of February, they were housed full time at one stage and for most of March and April we were on and off grazing, 2-3 hours after the morning milking and 2-3 hours after the evening milking.  It’s great to see a good forecast now for the week ahead.  Hopefully, it will stay like that and the hardship this Spring will be just a distant memory😊

 

Pure Friesian Dominate Male Rankings

Getting back to the herd and the Pure Friesian, I notice that the new EBIs have swung in favour of the Pure Friesian.  For example, in the latest IHFA top 50 pedigree male table from VG/EX dams and VG/Ex Grand Dams ranked on EBI, the majority of the bulls in the table are Pure Friesian. 

 

The fertility, health, carbon and maintenance are big bonuses for the Pure Friesian and they are holding their own on milk.  Of course, the calf is the icing on the cake and makes the Pure Friesian very attractive.  

 

Hopefully more farmers will use more Pure Friesian AI as a result and especially ones with a decent milk subindex are a no brainer.  For those farmers using stock bulls, I believe that using a well selected Pure Friesian stock bull, or team of stock bulls for larger herds, is an important strategy for herds who are looking to reduce labour, get better conception rates or to clean up after AI, especially if replacements are in short supply.   

 

Achievements

In the last 12 months we had a couple of achievements that I might mention.  Firstly 5 of our bulls made it into the IHFA top 50 EBI list for males born in 2023 in Ireland with dams and grand dams classified VG/EX.  Also, a couple more of our bulls went into AI which are detailed below.

 

Top Cows

Barrowvale Sabrina 65 was our highest producer in 2023.  She gave 9,524KGs of milk at 4.43% Butterfat and 3.67% Protein on her 5th lactation.  This works out at a total of 771KGs of milk solids.   Sabrina 65 is sired by Skyhigh Patrol and she is classified EX90.  Barrowvale Sabrina 60 was our second highest producer and our highest protein cow.  She gave 9,197KGs of milk at 4.23% Butterfat and 3.91% Protein on her 6th lactation.  This works out at a total of 749KGs of milk solids.

 

Bulls in AI

Eurogene purchased Barrowvale Google 3 in 2021.   His EBI is €249 and his AI code is FR7695.  He is out of Barrowvale Dheaty 76 VG 85 and she is by Catlane Chad.  He was the highest EBI Pure Friesian on the ICBF Active Bull list in 2023. 

 

In 2022,   Dovea purchased two of Dobee 48’s bulls.  The first one is Barrowvale Jingle 9 ET by Lakemead Jingle with an EBI of €232 and his AI code is FR8887.  The second one is Barrowvale Google 8 ET by Manorpark Google with an EBI of €217 and his AI code is FR8896. 

 

Last year, Progressive Genetics purchased two bulls.  The first one was Barrowvale Excalibur by Lismulligan Excalibur with an EBI of 247 and his AI code is FR9940.  Barrowvale Excalibur is out of Barrowvale Sabrina 73 VG 85 and he is a grandson of Barrowvale Sabrina 41.  The second bull is Barrowvale Deadly by Carrickshock GTW with an EBI of 242 and his AI code is FR9947.  Barrowvale Deadly is out of Barrowvale Dheaty 92 VG 85 and she is by Beaufort Kabana.

 

Stock for Sale

At the moment we have a selection of pedigree bulls for sale ranging from 12 months of age to 14 months.   Two of the bulls are ET bulls out of Barrowvale Sabrina 41 EX93 5E who had 9 lactations with up to 10,142kgs of milk, up to 4.51% Butterfat and up to 3.98% Protein.  We continue to use the top outcross British Friesian bulls from the UK and Irish AI.  We are selecting bulls on the basis of milk solids, fertility, udders, legs and feet and SCC. 

 

If you are in the market for a pedigree British Friesian bull for this season, make sure to give us a shout.  Selecting a bull early is advisable for the best choice.  We will also have a waiting list for calved cows, calved heifers and embryos, if you would like to be added let me know.  Visitors are always welcome.  For enquiries, feel free to call me on my mobile at 086 8219430.

 

 

Best Regards

Oliver Dempsey

The Barrowvale Herd

22 April 2024