Scallys win Large Charolais Suckler Herd competition

Raymond and Nigel Scally, Kilbeggan are a fantastic example of what the Charolais breed can deliver in a modern suckler to beef system, the Irish Charolais Cattle Society have said.

Their spokesperson was speaking as he congratulated the Scallys on taking first prize in their Large Suckler Herd Competition.

The Scallys run a herd of 90–100 suckler cows alongside a tillage enterprise, and have built a system focused on performance, efficiency and producing animals that deliver a profit.

All bulls are finished under 18 months, and heifers finished between 24 and 30 months. Calving is split between spring and autumn, allowing the family to spread the workload and maintain a consistent supply of cattle.

Two stock bulls are currently being used. One is a Pirate X 52, purchased at the Christmas Cracker sale in Elphin in 2024 bred by John O’Connor of the Larahill herd, and the other is a Reglisse bull, purchased this season from Conor Melvin of the Goodmove herd in Dublin.

“The Scallys are passionate about Charolais, and it is easy to see why. Their cows are all Charolais cross, powerful, maternal cows with exceptional calving ability, milk and docility.

“These are cows that combine the maternal qualities required in a suckler herd with the ability to produce an outstanding terminal animal.

As the lads put it: “Charolais can’t be beaten as a terminal sire confirmation, daily liveweight gain and kill-out.”

Their young bulls consistently kill between 470kg and 480kg deadweight under 18 months, with bulls regularly achieving Us and Es grades.

For the Scallys, the Charolais advantage is clear: Food conversion; Weight for age; Daily liveweight gain; Excellent confirmation; Outstanding kill-out; Docility; Strong market demand.

They also highlight the value of their Charolais cross cows when they eventually leave the herd. Those cows come into significant slaughter weights, and cull cows consistently achieve R+ and U+ grades.

The Scally are adamant about why they use Charolais: “Weight for age, conversion, performance and docility. Nothing weighs like a Charolais. You always have a market for a Charolais animal, plain and simple. You could sell a Charolais animal any day of the year.”

The Scally herd demonstrates that when good Charolais genetics are combined with excellent management and a clear focus on performance, the results can speak for themselves.

The Irish Charolais Cattle Society thanked Greenvale Animal Feeds for sponsoring the competition.