O’Keeffes to host Irish Pure Friesian Open Day
Bill, Phil and Matt O’Keeffe milk over 200 pedigree registered Friesians near Clara, Co Kilkenny.
The herd was graded up to pedigree in the late 1990s, and the family have grown and developed the herd significantly over the years; 68% are classified in the top two grades of conformation.
This is a highly efficient Pure Friesian herd, with excellent grassland management, outstanding fertility, producing a high volume of milk solids, developed from a solid cow family genetic base.
Recently the herd has enjoyed numerous successes at shows.
Bill enjoyed considerable success at Emerald Expo 2015. taking the champion and honourable mention Friesian titles, the top EBI award, and he was crowned Premier Exhibitor.
Average milk production for the herd last year was 6,057 kgs of milk, at 4.22% fat and 3.62% protein. SCC for the year was 64.
The average calving interval was 367 days, with a 9% empty rate after a ten-week breeding season.
There are plans to further expand and develop the business, with Bill targeting 7,000 kgs of milk, 8% milk solids and higher, and an empty rate of 5%.
Speaking at the recent launch, Irish Holstein Friesian Association Chief Executive Charles Gallagher said that the Pure Friesian open day is one of the much anticipated events in IHFA’s 50th anniversary celebratory year.
“The Pure Friesian serves as a prolific source of genetic diversity and breed efficiency. The O’Keeffe’s Churchclara herd is a prime example of modern Friesian breeding”.
The open day at 1pm will include stockjudging, a demonstration on linear scoring/classification, and a sale of 12 heifers and 8 bull calves.
