The hardy bull calf is enjoying life in the new calf sheds at the Dairygold Farm in Kilworth, Co Cork where the herd is based. Farm manager Ricki Fitzgerald said that the calf is receiving a lot of attention from both researchers and farm staff.

"Given his high EBI, and his potential to make it as a top AI bull, he's getting a bit more care than most calves. He was even put under a lamp last week because the farm staff thought he was looking a bit down - it wouldn't happen to every calf" joked Ricki.

The calf is sired by the genomic bull Gaddagh Cuddy Reeks (GZY) and his maternal grand sire is the New Zealand Friesian bull Caldwells Jordanaire (CWJ).

When the Irish Farmers Journal visited this week, the Next Generation Herd was out grazing on fields close to the Blackwater river. The herd was milking 24 litres at 3.45% protein and 4.46% fat.

The Next Generation Herd is part of a research study set up to evaluate the Economic Breeding Index (EBI). Now in its third season, very high EBI cows, EBI €241, are being compared against average EBI cows, EBI €147 for milk and fertility traits to see if the difference in EBI value is actually corresponding with improved performance.