We caught up with Donal Callery, farm manager at Laurlstown Farm in Swords, Co. Dublin, along with his breeding adviser John McDaniel.

Donal gave an overview of both the dairy and dairy beef enterprise, while John outlined some of the standout dairy beef sires on farm.

Donal Callery runs a 460 cow, spring calving, predominantly grass-based dairy herd in Swords, Co. Dublin.

Calving is currently in full swing on the farm.

Donal commented: “We started calving literally four weeks ago and as of this morning, we have 74% of the herd calved.

"Last year, we would have had 98% calved in six weeks.

"We are doing 575kgs of milk solids; 551kgs going through the co-op and 25kgs of milk solids are fed to the dairy beef calves.

"The number one thing for us is calving interval.”

Breeding advice

Donal has been working with Progressive Genetics for over 30 years.

Donal trusts the advice and guidance provided by his breeding adviser John McDaniel.

Donal said, “John does all the sire selection for me. I leave it in John's hands.

"I know he has done a phenomenal job so far, and the records have proven it.

"We have a sister farm in Galway and all the dairy beef calves goes to that farm and John selects all the Angus sires for that farm as well.”

Sire selection

In 2025, John selected a team of 8 AA bulls from The Progressive Genetics Dairy Beef Sire Range.

John selects a team of bulls, that incorporate sires from the Progressive Genetics Proven Premium range such as: HW Lord Horatio, Westellen Boss, Shanaway Vengabus; and Tower Tommie and Elite Genomic Test Sires such as Westellen Bundi; Prohurst Eagle; Prohurst Everest; and Perennial Domino.

John and Donal select Elite Genomic Test Sires that they feel will perform really well in the herd and will meet Donal’s criteria.

The Progressive Genetics Proven Premium range of sires are sires that are proven easy calving, short gestation, produce high Commercial Beef Value (CBV) calves, have superior carcass weights and provide profitability for both the producer and finisher.

Donal is ‘reaping the rewards’ of using a combination of proven, high reliability sires and test sires on his herd, due to the scale of the operation that is being run on both the farm in Dublin and in Galway.

Donal commented: “So basically all the dairy beef calves are reared on the farm here in Laurlstown for 12 weeks and then go to Galway and those cattle are being killed between 18-22 months.

“We couldn't be happier with the dairy-beef calves.

"I wouldn't have any reason to change because they’re ticking all the boxes with bonuses and with kill outs and are quick maturing animals.”

For more information on our full range of dairy beef sires, you can contact your local Progressive Genetics Breeding Adviser.