Mervyn Johnston

Cureen, Lanesborough, Co. Longford

Mervyn Johnston, who farms in Cureen, Lanesborough, Co. Longford on the edge of the River Shannon, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Irish Hereford Prime Farmer of the Year title.

A dedicated part-time farmer, Mervyn runs a suckler-to-beef system dominated by Hereford genetics, with over 95% of his stock being Hereford cattle. He farms alongside his wife, Karen, and their three children – Andrew (15), Elliot (14) and Ruth (10).

Balancing his off-farm work commitments, Mervyn opts to use a pedigree Hereford bull, sourced from local breeder William Jones of the Keenagh herd, to run with his Hereford-cross cows instead of using artificial insemination (AI). He also adds to his herd by purchasing Hereford-cross store cattle from Ballymahon Mart, which has experienced a strong resurgence in cattle sales.
All male cattle are finished as steers, except for a select few pedigree bull calves intended for local dairy farmers seeking an easy-calving beef sire for their Friesian cows. Stock are finished on-farm, with strong performance figures recorded over recent years. Steers achieve an average carcass weight of 330kg at 23.5 months, while heifers reach 266kg at 18.5 months. Impressively, almost half of Mervyn’s Hereford-cross heifers and steers grade R for conformation.

Why Hereford?
“Ease of finishing, ease of calving, and above all, the Hereford bonuses at the time of slaughter make it all worthwhile,” says Mervyn.
A key advantage of the breed is its docility and ease of handling – an important factor for Mervyn, who often had to work alone when his children were younger. Calmer, more manageable cattle enhance farm safety and efficiency. The breed also excels in early finishing, achieving strong carcass weights at a young age, which contributes to both farm profitability and environmental sustainability.

Herefords are a great fit for sustainable farming,” Mervyn notes. “Their quiet nature and strong beef traits also make them increasingly popular with dairy farmers looking for a reliable beef sire.

In addition to his breeding strategy, Mervyn has embraced agri-environmental initiatives. He is a participant in the ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme), which aims to address biodiversity decline while financially supporting farmers for implementing conservation measures. Under the scheme, he maintains land designated for breeding waders, leaves sections fallow, and preserves permanent pasture while tracking biodiversity performance.
A portion of his farm falls under ANC (Area of Natural Constraint) classification, reflecting the land’s natural characteristics and supporting the maintenance of local fauna and flora. His involvement in the SCEP scheme (Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme) further underscores his commitment to improving the environmental sustainability of Ireland’s suckler beef sector.