It would take only the briefest of stop-overs for any visitor to conclude that Philip Kelly, from Markethill in Co Armagh, rears his calves well. The bespoke calving house on the farm features well designed single and group pens while the air quality in the house is excellent. One is also struck by the large amounts of clean dry straw used on the farm, guaranteeing the calves a comfortable and hygienic bed.
Philip milks 75 Ayrshire cows, which he has been breeding up to full pedigree status over the last twenty years. His Brackley herd is calving the year round with a current breeding focus on improving milk quality and cow longevity.
“It is critical for calves to get the best possible start,” Philip confirmed.
