In sync with their livestock

Mother and daughter breeding prize-winning animals

LISAVILLA COLETTE is the name of the oldest cow on Patricia and Felicity McGrath’s farm.

Patricia and Felicity call her Colette. The mother and daughter team farm 70 acres beside their homestead in the townland of Gortnalon in Gurteen, and another 15 in nearby Ballymacward, keeping a pedigree beef and micro dairy herd of Aberdeen Angus and Kerry cattle.

“Colette is coming on 17 years old. She has had 14 calves. She is pregnant again, due to calve next April or May,” said Patricia.

“She’s a reliable cow, very docile. She has raised fantastic calves.”

Docile is a word used often by Patricia and Felicity when they are describing their Gortnalon Angus Herd. It is something that those who have purchased their Angus bulls and heifers have remarked upon over the years, a reason why they frequently get repeat buyers for their stock.

“We have 18 Angus cows. We keep a closed herd. We don’t buy in, so as not to mess with the genetics. We want docile cows. The Angus stock are docile, they are easy handled and calve easily,” offered Felicity.

“People come to us who have had near misses with other breeds,” continued Patricia …

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