The ICBF has recently launched the new Gene Ireland panel of high replacement index beef bulls for spring 2017.

These bulls have been selected on their potential to deliver in two key areas. Firstly, to produce heifers which are fertile and will have an adequate level of milk and, secondly, to produce a heifer that will deliver a calf with good beef attributes for traits such as good growth rate and conformation.

Since the inception of the Gene Ireland programme in 2007, a total of 180 beef bulls have been progeny-tested.

In 2012, the focus moved to selecting bulls with more maternal traits, in response to a decline in milk and fertility in the Irish suckler herd. This latest panel of 16 bulls is made up of nine beef breeds and the average replacement Index of the panel is €108. These bulls offer farmers the opportunity to avail of top genetics at an affordable price of €5/straw. Straws are delivered direct to a farmer’s DIY tank or to the AI technician of his/her choosing.

The panel of bulls currently available is detailed in the table below and all the bulls full Eurostar indexes are available on the Animal Search facility at www.icbf.com. To order straws, call ICBF on 023 8820452.

Read more

EBI values fall in dairy active bull list