New data released by the Irish Cattle and Breeding Federation (ICBF) shows that farmers are choosing sires to drive genetic progress in Irish dairy herds, both for milk production and beef integration.
The increased use of beef sires on dairy cows reflects the continued focus on beef merit in dairy systems for added calf value.
Of the top 10 bulls used to date this year, seven are Aberdeen Angus, two are Hereford and one is a Belgian Blue.
Topping the list is Lord Horatio V538 with 15,002 serves. The Aberdeen Angus bull has a dairy beef index (DBI) of €157, calving value of €44 and a beef value of €107.
11,337 serves
Second on the list is Enleve Du Bois Desneux with 11,337 serves so far this year.
The only Belgian Blue bull in the top 10, this bull has the highest DBI and highest beef value, with a DBI value of €190 and beef value of €171.
Tubridmore Twomey ET is the third most-used beef bull, with 10,282 serves. The Aberdeen Angus bull has a DBI of €142 and a calving value of €52.
With 9,207 serves, Solpoll 1 Watson PP is fourth on the list. One of two Hereford bulls in the top 10, this bull has a DBI of €139, and a beef value of €111.
Fifth on the list is Intelagri Matteo ET (ET). This bull has 8,485 serves and a DBI of €174. The Aberdeen Angus bull has the highest calving value in the top 10, with a value of €62.
Close behind, is the Aberdeen Angus bull Knockmountagh Valentine. Sixth on the list with 8,317 serves, this bull has a DBI of €146 and a beef value of €116.
An Aberdeen Angus bull again, Shanaway Vengabus lies seventh on the list. With 6,662 serves, the bull has a DBI of €180, calving value of €60 and a beef value of €109.
Westellen Boss Y929 is the eighth most used beef sire in the dairy herd so far this year, with 6,551 serves. Again, an Aberdeen Angus bull, he has a DBI value of €147, calving value of €53 and a beef value of €86.
Ninth on the list is Gabriel Pat 1949. So far, 5,596 serves have been recorded for this Aberdeen Angus bull. He has a DBI of €177, and a beef value of €116.
The second Hereford bull in the top 10 is Gouldingpoll 1 Nijinsky PP. With a DBI value of €121 and a beef value of €102, this bull is the 10th most commonly used in 2026 with 5,530 serves to date.
SHARING OPTIONS