IHFA Student Bursary 2023

The 2023 recipients of the IHFA Student Bursary awards at Gurteen College are Jathan McMahon, Clonlara, Co. Clare (Winner) and Garrett Curran, Ballymahon, Co. Westmeath (1st runner up). 

Gurteen College in North Tipperary, breeds a Pedigree Holstein Friesian herd under the Gurtbelleen prefix. IHFA awards an annual student bursary to the College based on the strength of their individual final year written projects. The results of the 2023 bursary were announced at the Gurteen College graduation ceremony on Friday, March 3rd last. A top genetic merit Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian heifer calf was presented by IHFA to both bursary recipients. We spoke with Jathan and Garrett to see how they were doing with their new heifers and their plans for the future. Both graduated from Gurteen College with a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management.

Jathan, tell us about your heifer?

The heifer is Everground EKK Star 81 bred by Margaret Laffan, Everground herd, Co. Limerick. Her 6 nearest Dams are all Classified EX on Conformation, with 9 generations of VG/EX Dams behind her in total. Their is great protein behind her with her dam, grand dam and great grand dam averaging over 3.60% protein. Her EX90 fourth lactation maternal sister has recorded > 8,000 kgs milk every lactation averaging 679 kgs milk solids per lactation. Her EX90 2E Dam recorded 10,550 kgs milk, 859 kgs milk solids 4.59 % Fat, 3.56 % Protein in her 5th lactation (304 d) then calved in on her 6th lactation gaining twenty days on Calving Interval.  So I am hoping for similar great things for this heifer – she has settled in perfectly; I am very happy with her. She has blended in really well with the other heifers and has achieved target weights for her age.

How was your overall experience at Gurteen?

My two years as a student of Gurteen College were very enjoyable. The teaching staff were very progressive, always facilitating us to learn while at the same time treating the students as adults. The College farm is very modern and impressive, I was drawn to Gurteen due to the scale of the farm enterprise. I really enjoyed the strong emphasis placed on grassland management and animal breeding. 

What is your current farming system?

I’m farming with my Grandfather milking 91 spring calving cows this year. The farm extends to 200 acres in total with a 90-acre milking platform. My parents have a beef farm, Dad works as an AI technician.  

Your final year project was a major component of the IHFA bursary process, can you tell us a bit more about it?

The project made me analyse in detail aspects of farm development and progression, planning for the future. Since returning home to farm with my Grandfather I have implemented key technical knowledge. For instance, achieving target liveweights of replacement heifers resulted in better uniformity of the heifers. Also, we used increased AI on the herd as a result of improved heat detection understanding. Improved udder health knowledge has already resulted in fewer cases of mastitis and reduced reliance on antibiotics.  

What are your future farming ambitions?

We will increase cow numbers up from 91 to 110 next year. 50% of the farm has been reseeded to date, I aim to have the entire farm fully reseeded in the medium term. I aim to improve herd quality overall through selective culling decisions. I am working towards a herd performance efficiency benchmark of 500 kgs milk solids average yield per cow. Sexed semen will be used next year following on from the success with increased AI this year. I am currently completing the DIY AI course. Key infrastructure projects are on the horizon for the future also; a new cubicle shed and a new milking parlour. 

Congratulations to Jathan who recently captained his local Cratloe Senior Hurling club team to Clare County Final success. Best wishes to him and his teammates as they now go forward to challenge for Munster and possible All Ireland honours.

Garrett, tell us about your heifer?

I’m thrilled with the heifer so far she is doing very well with us. Ringowney YAM Dairybreiz bred by Colm McGerr, Ringowney herd, Co. Longford,  is backed by four generations of Dams over 3.63 % Protein. Her PTAs include +210 kgs Milk, +34.3 kgs milk solids, +0.20 % Fat, +0.13% Protein. Health Sub Index +€18. She is sired by the very popular Westcoast Yamaska VG86 and her 4th Dam is IHFA Gold Award recipient Lisduff Dairy Breiz 5 VG89.  So she is very well pedigreed and hopefully will mature well for us over the next few years. Having weighed her recently I note that she has achieved 1kg liveweight gain per day from grass alone since she arrived.

How was your overall experience at Gurteen

My two years as a student in Gurteen College were very hands on, it was a very practical course. The College provided a great opportunity to learn, offering a very supportive teaching influence. I especially enjoyed my on-farm placement which was a tremendous learning experience. 

What is your current farming system?

I am from a non-dairy farming background. I am currently completing a full time Dairy herd Management Level 7 course at Teagasc, Moorepark.  

Your final year project was a major component of the IHFA bursary process, can you tell us a bit more about it?

Putting the project together gave me the confidence that there is a pathway to a successful dairy farming career into the future. Coming from a non-dairy farm background there will undoubtedly be challenges to overcome. However, there are many case studies of others who have navigated such obstacles to dairying successfully so why can’t I achieve the same?   

What are your future farming ambitions?

My ten-year plan is to milk 200 Holstein Friesian cows achieving key efficiency benchmarks with a strong focus on quality. 

I would like to sincerely thank the IHFA for this bursary opportunity. It means a lot to me as I look to build for the future. My time as a student in Gurteen was really enjoyable and I would definitely recommend to anyone who is currently looking at their Ag. college options.