Three Salers bulls feature in the top three spots in the latest ICBF replacement bull list.

The latest evaluation run was completed in August 2017 and includes new information received by ICBF between 24 March and 28 July 2017. An extra 414,204 calving difficulty records were received during this time.

The biggest increase in data came from genomic tests received by ICBF. This jumped a massive 24% between March and July. An extra 271,162 genomic test results were received during this period.

BDGP is seen as the main driver of this increase and will help to increase the reliability of breeding stock and young bulls. The ICBF database currently contains 85,184,281 records on animals that are used in formulating indexes and predicted breeding values for animals in each evaluation run.

Top 10 replacement bulls

The most recent replacement list sees three Saler bulls jump to the top three spots. The top 10 list has three Salers, three Simmentals, one Limousin, one Charolais, one Belgian Blue and one Aberdeen Angus.

The number one spot goes to the NCBC Saler bull Beguin. This bull has a replacement index of €273, a calving difficulty figure of 1.8% and a daughter milk figure of +15.2kg.

The Dovea Genetics bull Ulsan takes the number two spot with a replacement index of €200 and a calving difficulty figure of 1.3%. Ulsan has a milk figure +10.4kg.

The third spot is taken up by the Bova Saler bull Vaillant, who has a replacement index of €191 and a calving figure of 2.3% and a daughter milk figure of +4.9kg.

The highest-ranked Simmental bull on the list is Eurogene bull, Auchorachan Wizard. Wizard has a replacement index of €184 with a slightly higher calving figure of 7.9%. This bull is a massive +20.4kg for milk.

The highest-ranked Limousin bull on the list is the well-known NCBC bull Castleview Gazelle (ZAG) with a replacement index of €173 and a calving difficulty figure of 4.5%. He is, however, -0.05 for docility and -0.5kg on milk.

The top Charolais on the list is another NCBC bull, Voimo. This bull has a replacement index value of €168 and a calving difficulty figure of 5.1%.

The top Belgian Blue on the list is the Bova bull Du Stordeur Fleuner (SFL), who has a replacement index of €182 and a calving difficulty figure of 5.1%.

Finally, the top Aberdeen Angus bull on the list is the Bova bull Lanigan Red Deep Canyon (ZLL). He has a replacement index of €167 and a calving difficulty figure of 1.8%.

The next ICBF evaluation will take place in December.

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