Martin Merrick

Fair play to this young man, comes every Wednesday on experience as part of his LCA and comes to help out on a Saturday also. Stone mad about ewes and sucklers, even recently got his valmet kitted out with LEDs and an “I’m working late beacon” so he could stay on in the evenings

This week me and @MartinMerrick2 welcomed ProAgria from Finland to Tullamore. A group interested in improving sheep production systems in a number of Finnish regions. Tullamore farm was seen as a benchmark in productivity and efficiency in where there systems should strive to be.

The annual Tullamore Farm staff day out on the shores of Inishowen.Thank you to all the readers, followers and groups that have engaged with us in 2025. The farmers who bought our livestock and the students and staff who make the running of a demonstration farm possible.Thank you

Packed crowd here at Walter Brennans 18th annual incalf heifer sale in Balla mart with @farmersjournal . First two lots in the ring selling strongly at €6,000/ head.

Forage Rye.. how it’s started vs how it’s going, sown 5th September after spring barley. A first for Tullamore Farm. 95 ewes introduced yesterday with the option to add more. 4th crop in these fields in 18 months. Wholecrop ->forage Rape -> spring barley ->forage rye. Stay tuned

Ladies are on their way to Roscrea for an 8pm sale. Online bidding via MartBids

Lot 813: Curaheen Earp heifer due on the 25th February to LM7416. Good figures with a rep index of €171 +16 on carcass weight and +8kg on milk. Her mother has been a stalwart cow in our herd giving birth to her 10th calf this year and 9 of them heifers. Like this one

Lot 804. This strong EBY heifer is due on the 2nd February to LM9577 (sexed female semen) she’s quarter bred Saler so any future bull suits. €138 rep. index, +19.2 on carcass weight. Weighing 575kg at 539 days of age (July) an Impressive lifetime gain of 0.98kg/day

Lot 809: My pick of this years heifers. Brooklands Marco bred, €162 Rep.index, +23kg on carcass & +6.8kg on milk. She quarter bred Saler also. Due on the 25th Feb to LM7416. Lovely square heifer that’ll breed golden weanlings or future replacements. Wednesday night Roscrea Mart

Lot No. 808 for Wednesday night, a Tomschoice Lexicon heifer due to calf on the 6th March to LM2014. A rep. index of €169 this lady brings style as well as milks she’s plus 1.92 for carcass confirmation and plus 9.8kg on milk. Her half sister done 1.46kg/day to weaning this year

@farmersjournal Tullamore Farm will be offering 21 SCEP eligible heifers for sale next Wednesday night in Roscrea mart. 14 are in calf to AI limousin bulls and are bred from AI limousin and Simmental bulls. High herd health status and grass fed. Watch this space, call 082175486

@farmersjournal Tullamore Farm ewes coming home to be sorted into mating groups. Tomorrow starts a new year in the sheep calendar on #TullamoreFarm

2nd prize winning breeding heifer to the champion was this Belgian Blue -cross heifer weighing 430kg which sold for €4,800 (€11.16/kg).

Second prize winner in the Blue class in Carrigallen mart was this roan heifer weighing 400kg which sold for €4,900 (€14.41/kg).

In Carrigallen mart this Limousin sired heifer by a Jaegerbomb stock bull weighing 300kg sells for €2,450 (€8.16/kg).

1st prize winner in the Charolais breeding heifer class in Carrigallen mart is this stock bull sired heifer going back to Crossmolina Euro weighing 395kg sells for €4,000 (€10.12/kg).

At Carrigallen weanling show and sale this first prize winning Belgian Blue cross heifer weighing 400kg sells for €5,600 €14/kg).

Here in Carrigallen mart the breeding heifer winner and show champion sells for €6,500 (€14.54/kg).

This October born Limousin cross heifer weighing 455kg sells for €3,320 (€7.30/kg) in Carigallen mart. Overage for show.

Ringside today in Carrigallen mart with the @farmersjournal for their weanling show and sale judged by yours truly . Stay tuned for some top end heifers and to see if the ringside judges agree with me !