Earlier in the week, the ICBF’s most recent run of €uro-star evaluations was released.

Each time new evaluations are released they become a key talking point among pedigree breeders and in more recent times, due to the introduction of the BDGP, commercial farmers.

Many questions arise as to why a particular bull may have risen or dropped, and the September 2017 run of evaluations again has this as a main point.

Salers

Salers bulls have again claimed the top three positions on the Replacement Index. NCBC bull Beguin (SA4059) has maintained his place at number one, boasting an index of €273 (up from €249 in the May evaluation).

Second place was secured by Ulsan (SA2189), which moved up from third, while the second-placed bull in the May run, Vaillant (VTA), has moved back to third.

Three Salers, three Simmentals, a Belgian Blue, a Limousin, a Charolais and an Angus make up the top 10.

If we look at the biggest changes with regard replacement indices, three Simmental bulls saw the biggest rise.

Biggest increase

Securing the biggest increase in replacement value was Auchorachan Wizard (SI4030). This bull moved a massive €109 to now stand as the fourth-highest ranked bull with a value of €184.

On the opposite side, the biggest drop seen was for Speckle Park bull Ballylough Warrior (WRO). His replacement index dropped by €32, now standing at €82.

Check out next week’s Irish Farmers Journal pedigree section to see the biggest risers and fallers, alongside the top-indexed bulls in each breed.

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