The secrets of pedigree breeding success

Garrett & Lyndsey Behan – Clonagh and Jennalyn Simmental herds, Ballyfin, Co Laois

THE Behans have a proud record of winning national titles and they took their success to another level last autumn when they landed the Simmental Miss World title in Canada.

Clonagh Darling Eyes was the first European cow to win the global accolade and her success reflects the Behans’ breeding ethos of placing emphasis on the female side of the Simmental bloodlines.

“Every female born into the herd is a triumph in prolonging the future generations of our breeding herd,” says Lyndsey.

“This week 31 years ago, the first female was bought for our herd, at the RDS Spring Show, Clough Sandra, and she is still a dominant name in the top females in our herd.”

And Garrett has clear criteria about what makes a top pedigree cow.

“Overall your females need to be feminine and have a pretty head. She needs to have good legs and feet, good wide hips, presence and locomotion and a nice tight udder,” he says.

On the male side, he says “there is an old saying that if you want to know if a bull is any good, put him back on his mother.

“Some of the best bulls we have owned and bred here have shared lineage through selected line breeding.

“By this you can create consistency throughout your herd. You can then use a selected AI bull or stock bull, preferably bred the same way in his own pedigree but an outcross to the herd. By doing this you can achieve pure constancy from every calf born.”

Top of Garrett’s ‘don’ts’ list is putting a small bull on a big cow.

“You can end up with either of three outcomes big, medium or small so where

Prolific:

Lyndsey and Garrett Behan and their handlers with their string of champions at the National Livestock Show at Tullamore 2019 where they won eight of the 11 Simmental breed championships; (left) Clonagh Jubilant Fabulous which set a new Irish record for Simmental heifers when sold for €18,00 and the Simmental Miss World, Clonagh Darling Eyes

do you go next? The result is a bull you can sell, but there is no constancy for your customer,” he says.

“If you retain the female (calf ) she could produce anything and this continues for generations these females should be culled.”