Some advice as AI begins

By Paddy O'Keeffe

AI begins this week for our farmers aiming for economic early calving. Let us focus on the essentials of breeding:

For profitability, heifers must come from quality proven stock. In practice, this means AI. For good yields and high fertility, we must aim at herd EBI average of €55 or better - an impossibility with natural service. Last week's Farmers Journal had a detailed ad for 56 young bulls of "exceptional quality''. More than half of those bulls are genetically incapable of providing any significant improvement in Irish EBI. Many would actually reduce average breeding values.

In future years, high protein and high milk solids will have greater milk price value with the switch to A+B-C milk payment system.

I will add that the market price of surplus cows and heifers will be enhanced by their EBI figures.

It will pay to use quality AI. Farmyard facilities should be geared to make AI more convenient. Minor layout adjustments are a little loss, relative to greater convenience and time-saving.

Purchased semen must have high EBI. Poor bulls are available at lower cost, but ultimately, they are less economic because of reduced economic performance.

AI companies are offering semen from bulls under €95 EBI. Why use bulls just for the initial saving of a few euro? Munster AI are offering bulls in a so-called economy class with an average of €92 EBI.

Where is the economy when infinitely better New Zealand bulls are on offer at similar or lower prices?

New Zealand strains have the added advantage of selection and evolution under grass farming rather than a concentrated feeding regime. Munster should feel shame for their "economy'' venture.

But let us commend Munster for offering their young bull panel. This will include selected test bulls in sufficient numbers to give high reliability for their average ancestry.

EBI for this young panel will average €154, including a good €67 fertility level as well as high protein. I have discussed this initiative with geneticists. They fully recommended it to dairy farmers.

Higher quality and better commercial values are provided. The genetic background is superior to that of the Munster's top group, which sells for €26 per straw.

I must ask: why charge €22 for semen from the young bull panel? Farmer-owned AI services were established to lift dairy cow quality and provide a better service for dairy farmers. AI was not established as a profit centre.

Indeed, quality AI helps overall creamery costs, parallel with its boost to farm profitability. Earlier calving, in addition to more February, March and early April milk, improves the economy for every dairy company.

All dairy factories in the Munster group are cost-conscious - why not extend this cost ethos into dairy breeding?

The LIC in New Zealand was established to lift spring profitability. By concentrating on efficient operation, and by concentrating on quality breeding, the LIC has become a very profitable organisation with low charges but high profits.

Munster could learn from them.

I must also ask: why not use fully fresh semen technology to provide more straws from our limited number of quality tested bulls?

I recently discussed the matter with Dr Pat Shannon, the New Zealand AI pioneer. He was confident that the average AI bull could provide 120,000 straws over a short season.

Is Ireland's semen technology fully up to the mark? I know that the half-baked still exists in the background of bull selection.

A final word on this years' AI - many farmers are considering Jersey crosses for herd replacement. Their decision is based on the programme work of the half-breed for solid yield, for total fertility and for longer working life. Quality New Zealand Jerseys will be in short supply. Good Danish Jersey is available. Denmark has had an effective selection programme for Jerseys, with emphasis on milk solids and health.

In fertility, and in compatibility with grass farming, the Danes may not be fully up to New Zealand standards,. However, for a first cross, the Danes could be quite acceptable.

Let us encourage all our AI companies to get out and vigorously sell their quality stock.