So far, Barnattin George 2 (SI2367) is the most popular bull on the Gene Ireland panel of high replacement index beef bulls for spring 2017. Almost 400 straws have been ordered for the five-star Simmental with a replacement index of €130.

Terelton Isaac (BA2357) is a close second, with 340 straws ordered for the Blonde D’Aquitaine. In third place, with 325 straws ordered, is Charolais bull Jalabert (CH4090).

The top three are all five-star bulls. Meanwhile, in fourth place are the four-star sires Lislea Hermes (LJE) and Macgowan Herd Juno (PT2356). Both of those have 320 straws apiece ordered.

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.

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Popular Simmental bull has most orders off the Gene Ireland panel

Figures published by the ICBF show the top five most popular bulls on the Gene Ireland panel of beef bulls to date this year.