Martin Merrick

Buildings and Labour efficiency journalist with the Irish Farmers Journal. Beef and Sheep farmer in Mayo. All views are my own

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

12 months in production:
2/4/25 : sow Geraldine spring barley
8/8/25: Harvest, 2.9t/acre
5/9/25: sow forage rye
10/11/25: graze with sheep in some very undesirable conditions
21/4/25: Mow forage rye for pit silage

6 months of heavenly weather and 6 months of hellish weather

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

Fair play to this young man, comes every Wednesday on experience as part of his LCA and comes to help out on a Saturday also. Stone mad about ewes and sucklers, even recently got his valmet kitted out with LEDs and an “I’m working late beacon” so he could stay on in the evenings

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

This week me and @MartinMerrick2 welcomed ProAgria from Finland to Tullamore. A group interested in improving sheep production systems in a number of Finnish regions. Tullamore farm was seen as a benchmark in productivity and efficiency in where there systems should strive to be.

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

The annual Tullamore Farm staff day out on the shores of Inishowen.Thank you to all the readers, followers and groups that have engaged with us in 2025. The farmers who bought our livestock and the students and staff who make the running of a demonstration farm possible.Thank you

[Martin Merrick @MartinMerrick2]

Packed crowd here at Walter Brennans 18th annual incalf heifer sale in Balla mart with @farmersjournal . First two lots in the ring selling strongly at €6,000/ head.

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

Forage Rye.. how it’s started vs how it’s going, sown 5th September after spring barley. A first for Tullamore Farm. 95 ewes introduced yesterday with the option to add more. 4th crop in these fields in 18 months. Wholecrop ->forage Rape -> spring barley ->forage rye. Stay tuned

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

Ladies are on their way to Roscrea for an 8pm sale. Online bidding via MartBids

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

Lot 813: Curaheen Earp heifer due on the 25th February to LM7416. Good figures with a rep index of €171 +16 on carcass weight and +8kg on milk. Her mother has been a stalwart cow in our herd giving birth to her 10th calf this year and 9 of them heifers. Like this one

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

Lot 804. This strong EBY heifer is due on the 2nd February to LM9577 (sexed female semen) she’s quarter bred Saler so any future bull suits. €138 rep. index, +19.2 on carcass weight. Weighing 575kg at 539 days of age (July) an Impressive lifetime gain of 0.98kg/day

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

Lot 809: My pick of this years heifers. Brooklands Marco bred, €162 Rep.index, +23kg on carcass & +6.8kg on milk. She quarter bred Saler also. Due on the 25th Feb to LM7416. Lovely square heifer that’ll breed golden weanlings or future replacements. Wednesday night Roscrea Mart

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

Lot No. 808 for Wednesday night, a Tomschoice Lexicon heifer due to calf on the 6th March to LM2014. A rep. index of €169 this lady brings style as well as milks she’s plus 1.92 for carcass confirmation and plus 9.8kg on milk. Her half sister done 1.46kg/day to weaning this year

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

@farmersjournal Tullamore Farm will be offering 21 SCEP eligible heifers for sale next Wednesday night in Roscrea mart. 14 are in calf to AI limousin bulls and are bred from AI limousin and Simmental bulls. High herd health status and grass fed. Watch this space, call 082175486

[Shaun Diver @diver_shaun]

@farmersjournal Tullamore Farm ewes coming home to be sorted into mating groups. Tomorrow starts a new year in the sheep calendar on #TullamoreFarm

[Martin Merrick @MartinMerrick2]

2nd prize winning breeding heifer to the champion was this Belgian Blue -cross heifer weighing 430kg which sold for €4,800 (€11.16/kg).

[Martin Merrick @MartinMerrick2]

Second prize winner in the Blue class in Carrigallen mart was this roan heifer weighing 400kg which sold for €4,900 (€14.41/kg).

[Martin Merrick @MartinMerrick2]

In Carrigallen mart this Limousin sired heifer by a Jaegerbomb stock bull weighing 300kg sells for €2,450 (€8.16/kg).

[Martin Merrick @MartinMerrick2]

1st prize winner in the Charolais breeding heifer class in Carrigallen mart is this stock bull sired heifer going back to Crossmolina Euro weighing 395kg sells for €4,000 (€10.12/kg).

[Martin Merrick @MartinMerrick2]

At Carrigallen weanling show and sale this first prize winning Belgian Blue cross heifer weighing 400kg sells for €5,600 €14/kg).

[Martin Merrick @MartinMerrick2]

Here in Carrigallen mart the breeding heifer winner and show champion sells for €6,500 (€14.54/kg).

[Martin Merrick @MartinMerrick2]

This October born Limousin cross heifer weighing 455kg sells for €3,320 (€7.30/kg) in Carigallen mart. Overage for show.