The Ballyclough Aubrac Herd: Jim Woulfe’s Pioneering Journey into Sustainable Beef Farming
Ah, the thrill of retirement! While some might spend their days knitting or having tea with the neighbors, Jim Woulfe decided to dive headfirst into the world of *hobby farming*. And let’s be honest, “hobby farming” is just a fancy way of saying, “I’ve got a small herd that costs more than my car but, bless my soul, I love it!”
After an impressive 42 years in the dairy and agri-food industry, Jim did what any man with a penchant for beef would do: he channeled his inner farmer and founded the Ballyclough Aubrac Herd with his better half, Ann. If only retiring from industrial life came with a manual titled “Farming for Dummies”, but alas, it seems Jim had to figure it out on his own. But hey, who wouldn’t want to establish a small beef herd on a sunny spot in beautiful County Cork?
The Inception of a Dream
So, what exactly drove a well-respected dairy mogul to venture into the beef business? Was it the allure of the open fields? The prospect of wrangling cattle without a corporate email? Jim had a checklist of essential criteria for breeding ideal beef animals: docility, fertility, shapeliness, calving ease, and longevity. Clearly, he wasn’t looking for just any ol’ cow; he wanted the full package!
After spending some arduous time at the research desk in 2019, Jim had his heart set on the Aubrac breed. Apparently, deep conversations with beef specialists at Teagasc, Munster Bovine, and ICBF added the necessary ‘beef’ to his research. You have to admire the dedication though—how many of us would go to such lengths to find the perfect steak? My ideal steak is rare… just like my social life!
The Herd: A Study in Quality
Fast forward to today, and the Woulfes have built a remarkable herd comprising 22 cows, 22 calves, 10 in-calf heifers, and 2 maiden heifers. Yes, you heard that right: they’ve bred the first-ever polled Aubrac bull to enter Irish AI. Move over overachievers, Jim’s got this down to a science!
With their herd adhering to rigorous standards, only the docile, fertile, and milky females who can produce high-quality calves every year get to stay in the family. Talk about a strict “no-nonsense” approach—if only relationships were as easily managed! Sorry, but you don’t meet my standards!
And what’s the secret sauce of the Ballyclough Herd? Artificial Insemination. Yes, folks, Jim is making full use of AI for genetic gain. Culling the cattle? Gone are the days of “you’re not the bull I’m looking for.” Now it’s all about data, records, and smart breeding decisions.
Embracing Technology and Sustainability
Let’s talk tech, folks! The Woulfes are all about that high-health status—implementing vaccination programs a serious cow would be proud of. Seriously, they’re vaccinating for IBR, salmonella, leptospirosis; it’s like their cattle are getting the crème de la crème of healthcare!
With the Farm Ops App in their arsenal, livestock are routinely measured and monitored, checking off birth weights and keeping track of that holy grail known as nutritional performance. And sustainability? Don’t get the Woulfes started—they’re all about low emission slurry spreading and nearly 90% of fertilizers used being protected urea. They’re basically the green warriors of the beef industry, minus the all-leather outfits.
The Future Looks Bright for Ballyclough
With heifers calving by the time they hit 24 months and finishing beef well before hitting sweet sixteen, it seems Jim’s farm is set up to be the Kardashians of the beef world—always in demand, and never short of quality! And for the record, they’re not just raising beef; they’re raising the bar in beef farming.
Recently, they hosted an open day for members of the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society with an impressive lineup of speakers. If that’s not the agricultural equivalent of a celebrity gala, I don’t know what is!
Aubrac cattle “fulfil the criteria” that Jim Woulfe meticulously outlined when he embarked on the journey of establishing the renowned Ballyclough Herd, a family endeavor alongside his wife, Ann.
Creating a small beef herd in a “hobby farming” manner had always been a cherished aspiration on Jim’s bucket list, but it was only after he bid farewell to his industrial career that this dream took flight.
Jim officially retired in December 2021, wrapping up an impressive career that spanned over four decades in the dairy and agri-food sectors.
After graduating with a degree in dairy science from University College Cork (UCC), he dedicated 42 years to the dairy industry, honing his skills and expertise in various senior leadership roles, including a notable tenure as chief executive with Dairygold.
Despite having numerous external business interests post-retirement, Jim’s enduring passion for farming led him, together with Ann, to establish the flourishing Ballyclough Aubrac herd four years ago in the picturesque region of Ballyclough, Mallow, Co Cork.
In 2019, Jim devoted his free moments to researching which cattle breed would best align with the essential criteria he had formulated for his beef enterprise.
The critical attributes Jim envisioned for an ideal beef animal included docility, high fertility, shapeliness, excellent milking ability, ease of calving, longevity, and efficiency in converting grass into quality beef.
Jim’s goal to find the right breed was accompanied by practical considerations regarding the end market for these beef animals. He sought advice from beef specialists at Teagasc, Munster Bovine, and ICBF, which guided his decision-making process and helped him narrow down the choices to a select few breeds.
After visiting various herds and engaging in discussions with experienced breeders, Jim and Ann concluded that the Aubrac breed was the perfect fit for their objectives.
The Woulfes meticulously selected foundation females from established cow families that met their stringent breeding criteria, sourcing stock from esteemed herds such as Calverstown, Mountcain, Turloughmore, and Ballinclea.
In a remarkably short time frame, Jim and Ann have developed a herd of quality Aubrac cattle, including the noteworthy achievement of breeding the first-ever polled Aubrac bull to be included in Irish AI.
Their spring-calving herd currently boasts 22 cows, 22 calves, ten in-calf heifers, and two maiden heifers, showcasing their commitment to expanding their quality breeding program.
Utilizing 100% artificial insemination and a synchronisation/fixed-time AI breeding protocol, Jim notes this approach as a “significant advantage” for maximizing genetic gains within the herd.
Notable sires contributing to the herd’s development include Dauphin, Dolby, Heritier, Turloughmore Magnificent, and Johnstown Lloyd. For the 2024 breeding season, they are incorporating sires like Johnstown Prince, Tyrol, Deerpark Rowe, alongside polled bulls such as Otto, Spirou PP, and Remia PP.
Their strict culling policy mandates that only docile, fertile females that produce high-quality calves every 365 days can remain in the herd.
Jim explained that their breeding program prioritizes traits that matter most to their customers, which encompass pedigree breeders, as well as dairy and suckler farmers.
“Dairy customers are looking for calving ease, short gestation, and high beef-sub index bulls to produce calves from the dairy herd with a high Commercial Beef Value (CBV),” he elaborated.
The farm employs a target-driven approach where bull calves are earmarked for pedigree breeding, often aligning with the needs of suckler and dairy enterprises.
Only in cases where a dam does not meet the stringent breeding criteria does the farm resort to cross-breeding; otherwise, the prospects are “the destination of the offspring will be slaughter,” Jim remarked candidly.
In 2021, the Woulfes, known for their progressive and scientifically-oriented methods, introduced polled genetics to their herd. They expressed their satisfaction with the performance of the polled animals thus far.
They are committed to using polled bulls on specific cow families, and remarkably, nearly all their current in-calf heifers have been bred to polled bulls.
One standout cow from their herd in Cork delivered a polled bull calf in 2023, and its performance from birth has exceeded all anticipated standards.
Currently, heterozygous polled Ballyclough Theo Pp (AU1515) is making waves at the National Cattle Breeding Centre, with AI straws available through Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics.
Theo Pp not only represents the first polled Aubrac sire to enter Irish AI but also stands out as the highest replacement index bull on the ICBF’s Suckler Beef Gene Ireland Replacement Panel for Autumn 2024.
The Ballyclough Herd prides itself on its high health status, supported by a comprehensive vaccination program aimed at preventing IBR, salmonella, leptospirosis, pneumonia, clostridial diseases, and calf scour.
Moreover, the Woulfes leverage cutting-edge technology alongside scientific methods to enhance overall performance on their farm, with the Farm Ops App serving as a vital tool in the meticulous management and measurement of their livestock.
Calves are weighed at birth and continue to be weighed every four months, ensuring accurate monitoring of their growth. Soil, silage, and grass are regularly analyzed, allowing for tailored fertilizer and feed applications to optimize performance.
The Woulfes embrace a performance-recorded herd philosophy, utilizing detailed data to support their breeding goals.
They maintain precise records of all birth weights, gestation lengths using ICBF data through Munster Bovine’s technician service, and all weaning weights.
This robust data collection empowers them to make informed breeding decisions based on the traits that require enhancement.
Implementing a rotational grazing system allows their cattle to enjoy fresh grass on a weekly basis, with a key feature being the regular harvesting of paddocks for baled silage.
“From a sustainability perspective, 90% of fertiliser used on the farm consists of protected urea/nitrogen, and Low Emission Slurry Spreading has always been the preferred method,” Jim highlighted.
As the scale of their enterprise has stabilised, sustainability has become a primary focus of their operations.
Heifers typically calve at 24 months of age, and almost all beef animals raised on the farm are finished and sent for slaughter before reaching 16 months, ensuring efficiency.
Jim emphasized the accessibility of expert advice and support from various agencies, stating it’s always “just a phone call away” when needed.
“An Aubrac is a profitable animal without hardship and unnecessary risk. Docility, calving ease, high fertility, milky, excellent feed conversion, and consistent kill-out results; Aubracs fulfil our beef farming requirements,” he noted with conviction.
The farm recently opened its gates to members of the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society on Saturday, September 28, 2024, demonstrating their commitment to fostering community within the farming industry.
Notable speakers at the farm walk included:
- Dr Doreen Corridan, CEO of NCBC;
- Farm vet, Dr Niamh Larkin; Buttevant Veterinary Clinic
- Colman Purcell – Nutritionist at Dairygold;
- Dr Martin Cavanagh – CEO Munster Bovine;
- Paschal Coughlan – ICBF;
- James Donnellan and Francis Donohoe of the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society.