Pat Donnelan, ICBF

2014 is the 14th year that ICBF has published the Spring Active Bull List. In 2001 there were just two bulls on the list bred in Ireland. This trend started to change around 2009 when the first of the Gene Ireland Irish-bred and progeny tested bulls started to come through. This year there are 49 Irish-bred bulls on the list. This is the highest number of bulls from any one country to make the top bull list at the same time (see graphic). The remaining 26 bulls are all from New Zealand.

The graphic shows the trends in the countries of origins for bulls in the top bull lists over the past 14 years.

The EBI details of the 75 bulls on the list is based on the December 2013 genetic evaluations computed by ICBF. Semen from all of the bulls has been indicated as being available by the various AI Companies, hence the term ‘active’ bull list.

The criteria for making the list are as follows: EBIs with reliability greater than or equal to 35% and calving difficulty evaluations with reliability greater than or equal to 50%. For a bull to be included on the active bull list, his calving evaluation must be based on actual calving survey data either in Ireland or in the country of origin of the animal, and not just genomic information.

The 75 bulls on the list have an average EBI of €269, ahead of last year’s average by €30. The EBIs on the list range from €322 down to €249. Nearly 70% of the bulls are genomic bulls with the remainder being daughter proven either here in Ireland (16%) or from abroad (14%).

It is important to note the source of a bull’s proof when choosing sires from the list. A bull may have received his proof based on data recorded on his own daughter’s performance or he may be a ‘genomically selected’ bull. ‘Genomically selected’ means that the bull’s DNA profile has been analysed and the figures that you see are based on those findings. Farmers should pay particular attention to the ‘reliability’ of a bull’s proof. In order to be able to balance the risk of using a bull with low reliability together with the tremendous genetic gains that could be achieved by using such a bull, farmers are strongly urged to use a minimum of five AI bulls from the list.