The life cycle never stops at the McKelvey's ever busy cattle farm

Behind the busy farm supplies operation in Ballynahinch, Thomas McKelvey Brothers run one of the top finishing units in Co Down.
Thomas McKelvey with his cattle at his farm at BallynahinchThomas McKelvey with his cattle at his farm at Ballynahinch
Thomas McKelvey with his cattle at his farm at Ballynahinch

Finishing 1,000 bullocks and 300 heifers, including 1,000 head of Charolais last year, the cycle never stops says Thomas McKelvey.

“We graze 400-500, mainly Charolais because they do best at grass. You can get Charolais finishing at 16-20 months, this is where the breed has the big advantage and passes other continental breeds. We want weight for age, nothing will beat them,” says Thomas.

The new beef unit was built in 2012, the farm itself has 500 acres. A total of 260 acres of grass is grazed and McKelvey Bros knows the significant feeding value of grass. The remainder is for cereals and grass silage.

Cattle at the McKelvey Brother's farm at BallynahinchCattle at the McKelvey Brother's farm at Ballynahinch
Cattle at the McKelvey Brother's farm at Ballynahinch

Thomas says: “Buying growing cattle lets us spread the risk. It lets us utilise the grass better and gives the best use of our intensive finishing.”

McKelvey Brothers purchase cattle all year round predominately from Clogher, Markethill, Saintfield and Hilltown.

They particularly purchase Charolais in larger batches around the eight-12 months to grow them on grass and having them finished between December and March.

Cattle for grass are purchased in February/March time, looking for leaner cattle and those which will give the highest feed conversion rate to maximise profit.

New beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at BallynahinchNew beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at Ballynahinch
New beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at Ballynahinch

Thomas says: “We buy the top cattle at the ringside, within a price range for good commercial cattle. Similar continental cattle can be bought but they do not deliver the same growth and profit as a Charolais.

“The Charolais has growth. Some breeders take them too far, maybe to get a bit more money for them but this leaves the finisher little to gain. It’s better to sell them in a leaner condition.

“You have to look at what it costs the breeder to get them heavier. If they are too well fed they don’t do so well. They lose condition when they go out to grass and they just melt.

“McKelvey Bros try to keep on top of the market and have a good idea of what happens. We see gradual changes in the suckler market, cattle being sold at lighter weight – the finisher needs to get their chance to do their bit.”

Cattle at the McKelvey Brother's farm at BallynahinchCattle at the McKelvey Brother's farm at Ballynahinch
Cattle at the McKelvey Brother's farm at Ballynahinch

All cattle at McKelvey’s farm are weighed on arrival and treated for IBR, Blackleg, worms and fluke. Marker tags are put in all cattle for easier identification and herd management.

The ration remains the same - wheat, barley, sugar beet pellets and maize meal mixed in the diet feeder with silage, straw and vegetables.

This mix would be fed at 4.5kg per head up to 7.5kg at finishing times. Cattle are fed twice a day - morning and a fresh run at lunch time bringing the cattle forward.

With the new reduced weight limits, McKelvey’s don’t want them going over 700kg and incurring a penalty. So, at 500kg he puts them on the finishing ration.

New beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at BallynahinchNew beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at Ballynahinch
New beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at Ballynahinch

Thomas says good minerals help with weight gain.

He says: “It helps keep them leaner and in the better grades.”

Two loads of washed vegetables are used every week. The cattle always have fresh feed in front of them and it maximises the intakes and weight gain.

He adds: “The cattle have to grow to a certain level and they need the frame on them to finish. They cost a bit more to buy but you get them to a better end price more quickly.”

The McKelvey’s aim to have in-spec cattle to achieve mainly top grades.

Thomas’s cattle are kept mainly on slatted floors fitted with rubber slat mats, with some kept on straw bedding. There are pens of 40 in the new building and pens of 25 in the original shed.

New beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at BallynahinchNew beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at Ballynahinch
New beef unit at the McKelvey's farm at Ballynahinch

Finished cattle are drawn from the December to March period with 50 going for slaughter each week.

The new purpose built shed would be wanted by any beef farmer, holding over 400 head with open ends and side ventilation.

Cattle are very comfortable here, hence maximising growth rates.

He says: “The weight limit is capped at 420 kg for bullocks. With severe penalties for cattle over this limit that is why we try to keep them within the specification.

“Charolais bullocks averaged about 385 kg for the year with heifers coming in at 345 kg average. I have very few which are overweight.”

The business operation concentrates on bullocks as they leave a better return and finish heavier.

Heifers finish quicker but the better weight gain is in the bullocks.

Most of McKelvey Brothers’s cattle go to ABP Lurgan a mere 25 miles away, again ensuring cattle remain calm and stress free as possible.

There is an air of calm at McKelvey’s, cattle are quiet and contented.

It is a very efficient operation where the cattle can be fed in two hours, leaving plenty of time for other jobs to be done.

Thomas points out: “You can get a premium with native breeds (Aberdeen Angus) but, you can get the same premium with good continental grades. In essence the Charolais gives the weight we want with the conformation that we want in the shortest time.”

What a wonderful visit to a very busy farm on a cold but bright morning.

The Charolais Club’s first show and sale of the year is 57 bulls and 16 females and is being held at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Friday 3 March starting at 10.30am.

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