Pointhouse’s successful flushing programme

Michael and Kile Diamond, the father and son team behind the remarkable sale records notched by breeding stock from their Pointhouse Limousin herd, point to the strategic use of flushing programmes as the core drive behind this tremendous success story.
By Una Culkin
Published 12th Mar 2021, 07:48 GMT
Paul Elwood, HVS Animal Health and Kile Diamond, from Pointhouse Limousins. In the background is Pointhouse Jewel, whose two ET sons did so well at the recent Carlisle pedigree Limousin salePaul Elwood, HVS Animal Health and Kile Diamond, from Pointhouse Limousins. In the background is Pointhouse Jewel, whose two ET sons did so well at the recent Carlisle pedigree Limousin sale
Paul Elwood, HVS Animal Health and Kile Diamond, from Pointhouse Limousins. In the background is Pointhouse Jewel, whose two ET sons did so well at the recent Carlisle pedigree Limousin sale

If no one had ever heard of the Pointhouse name before the beginning of last month, that all changed when two of the young bulls, bred by Michael and Kile, entered the sale ring at Carlisle on February 21.

Leading the charge at 42,000gns, was Pointhouse Paul. The September 2019 born ET calf was sired by Goldies Jackpot. Adding to the good news story was the 8,500gns for a full brother of Pointhouse Paul on the same day. The dam of both bulls is Pointhouse Jewel, a 2014 born calf that was tapped out as the Junior Limousin Champion at Balmoral Show in 2015. January of this year saw her give birth to a bull calf, sired by Mereside Lorenzo.

“Jewel is showing now the full promise that she exhibited as a heifer,” Michael explained.

The Pointhouse herd comprises only 18 breeding females. All have an exemplary pedigree, which Michael and Kile fully exploit through the use of strategically designed flushing and embryo transfer programmes.

“We select two cows per year for flushing,” Kile confirmed. “Obviously, Jewel is now a priority in this regard, given the recent success of her sons at Carlisle. We flushed her on a number of occasions but never got the results that we wanted to achieve until we used the Omega Flush programme from HVS. This resulted in us securing 0 Grade 1 eggs, which everyone was really delighted with.”

Both Michael and Kile attribute this change of fortune to the flushing programme recommended by HVS Animal Health. The company’s Paul Elwood was a recent visitor to the Diamonds’ Garvagh farm.

He commented: “The programme is centred on the use of our Omega Flush. International research has shown that Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids maximise the quality and numbers of eggs produced by the donor animal while also helping the subsequently produced embryos to implant more effectively in the womb of the recipient.

“We are, therefore, recommending that the proven supplement, which contains both Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, should be offered to the donor animal at a rate of 100 mls per day, mixed in the feed, during the six week period prior to flushing and to the recipient at a similar rate for three weeks pre and six weeks after implantation.

“The donor female should also receive 200ml of our Liquid Gold Cattle mineral and vitamin drench three weeks prior to flushing.”

Paul added: “Embryo transfer is being used increasingly by local dairy and beef breeders to improve the genetic potential of their herds. However, it remains an inherently expensive technique.

“Offering Omega Flush to both donor and recipient will help to significantly boost the results obtained. It is a very small price to pay when one considers the value of the end product.”

Michael and Kile will be flushing their ‘prize cow’ during April. “She is in tremendous shape after calving. The plan is to put her on the Omega 3 programme in the very near future,” Michael concluded.

“Let’s hope we will be as successful this time around as we were the last time around. All the embryos we produce are kept for use on our own farm.”

For further information, contact HVS Animal Health on (028) 4483 1700.