Dairy farmers have increased the use of beef bulls on dairy calves by 25%, ICBF figures show.
The use of Jersey straws has dropped by 20% compared to the same period last year. Although early in the season, data from AI technicians shows that farmers have cut Jersey straw use by almost 5,700.
AI data from ICBF shows a 12% surge in the use of Holstein bulls, to 401,305 serves.
ICBF described the increased usage of beef sires so far this year as positive, and said that it showed farmers were taking advice on maximising the potential value of dairy-cross calves.
Hereford serves are up by 17% or 25,020 straws, while Angus serves are up 15% or 24,988 straws. British Friesian serves are down 10%.
Belgian Blue and Limousin have seen the largest gains of any breed, albeit from a low base. Serves of Belgian Blue sires are up by 42% to 12,251, while serves of Limousin sires have increased by 26% to 8,849.
Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics backed up reports of a drop in Jersey serves but Progressive Genetics added that the “die-hard Jersey converts” were still keen to use the breed.
AI companies also reported that fine weather, genetics and good cow condition had helped to provide excellent submission rates.
At its peak, Munster Bovine reported record levels, with well over 10,000 serves a day.
“Our peak day was 8% higher than last year,” Kevin Coffey, CEO of Munster Bovine, said.
Overall, there has been an 11% increase in serves to dairy cows, with 538,056 serves completed to date.
Read more
Use of Jersey bulls to drop 30%
How Jersey genetics affect carcase data
Better dairy beef genetics must secure a better price - ICMSA
Dairy farmers have increased the use of beef bulls on dairy calves by 25%, ICBF figures show.
The use of Jersey straws has dropped by 20% compared to the same period last year. Although early in the season, data from AI technicians shows that farmers have cut Jersey straw use by almost 5,700.
AI data from ICBF shows a 12% surge in the use of Holstein bulls, to 401,305 serves.
ICBF described the increased usage of beef sires so far this year as positive, and said that it showed farmers were taking advice on maximising the potential value of dairy-cross calves.
Hereford serves are up by 17% or 25,020 straws, while Angus serves are up 15% or 24,988 straws. British Friesian serves are down 10%.
Belgian Blue and Limousin have seen the largest gains of any breed, albeit from a low base. Serves of Belgian Blue sires are up by 42% to 12,251, while serves of Limousin sires have increased by 26% to 8,849.
Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics backed up reports of a drop in Jersey serves but Progressive Genetics added that the “die-hard Jersey converts” were still keen to use the breed.
AI companies also reported that fine weather, genetics and good cow condition had helped to provide excellent submission rates.
At its peak, Munster Bovine reported record levels, with well over 10,000 serves a day.
“Our peak day was 8% higher than last year,” Kevin Coffey, CEO of Munster Bovine, said.
Overall, there has been an 11% increase in serves to dairy cows, with 538,056 serves completed to date.
Read more
Use of Jersey bulls to drop 30%
How Jersey genetics affect carcase data
Better dairy beef genetics must secure a better price - ICMSA
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