Irish Hereford Prime, in partnership with ABP, is inviting farmers to a Dairy & Suckler to Beef Farm Walk on the farm of producer group member Nigel Donaldson and family, Annayalla, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, on Thursday 16th July at 7pm.
Open to everyone with no booking required, the evening event has been deliberately scheduled to make it easier for part-time farmers to attend. Whether you’re currently producing dairy-beef, suckler-beef or are considering future breeding and finishing options, the farm walk will provide practical, on-farm insights from industry experts and fellow farmers.
Nigel is a long-standing Irish Hereford Prime producer and an ABP Advantage Beef farmer. Farming alongside his wife and three sons, he operates a mixed dairy and suckler enterprise where Hereford genetics have played an important role for many years. His suckler herd is entirely Hereford, chosen for their easy-calving ability, docility and suitability to his fragmented farming system. Nigel has also invested heavily in grassland management, reseeding 10-15% of the farm annually with grass and clover, while regular grass measuring and soil sampling help maximise performance from his grazing platform. Environmental stewardship is also central to the farm, with measures including river protection and biodiversity initiatives supporting wildlife across the holding.
The farm walk will explore the practical decisions behind Nigel’s system, with discussions covering herd performance, calf rearing and health, genetics and commercial beef value, finishing cattle through the ABP Advantage Beef Programme, and the role of reseeding and water quality in building productive, sustainable farms.
A key focus of the evening will be the recently announced Irish Hereford Prime Breed Bonus restructure. Introduced in partnership with ABP, the revised payment structure rewards farmers not only for producing qualifying Hereford cattle but also for adopting more efficient genetics and measurable sustainability practices. The new bonus recognises the direction of modern beef production, supporting profitability while encouraging continual improvement in areas that benefit both farm performance and the wider environment.
Guest speakers from ICBF and Animal Health Ireland (AHI) will also be on hand to share the latest advice and research, giving attendees the opportunity to hear first-hand about breeding decisions, animal health and practical management techniques that can strengthen both productivity and profitability.
Knowledge sharing has always been at the heart of the Irish Hereford Prime producer group, and farm walks provide an invaluable opportunity to see successful farming systems in action, exchange ideas with fellow farmers and discuss the latest developments affecting the Irish beef sector.
Irish Hereford Prime burgers, kindly supported by SuperValu Signature Tastes, will be served on the evening.
Everyone is welcome to attend, and no booking is required.
Event Details
- Date: Thursday 16th July
- Time: 7.00pm
- Venue: Nigel Donaldson & Family, Annayalla, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, A75 PR99
For any questions, please contact info@irishherefordprime.com.
