An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) is expected to be called in the coming weeks after letters seeking such a meeting were lodged with the association.

The calls for an EGM were prompted by moves at a recent board meeting to assess the potential of the IHFA establishing an IVF nucleus herd.

A number of breeders, some of whom contacted the Irish Farmers Journal, expressed deep reservations regarding the move and questioned the merits of the proposal.

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However, the IHFA stressed that the association was in the early stages of assessing and considering the proposal.

“The IHFA board has supported further development of a proposal aimed at advancing several key objectives within the IHFA strategic plan particularly in the area of genetic gain,” an IHFA spokesman said.

“The proposal centres on an initiative to optimise the use of IVF embryo transfer technology, with the goal of enhancing genetic progress in the breed and making world-class facilities accessible to members and the wider industry,” he added.

When asked if the initiative had broad support among Holstein-Friesian breeders, the spokesman said that the INFA was “always looking at initiatives that benefit the members”.

“IVF nucleus herds are widely used internationally and show good results so it would be good to establish if something can be created in Ireland that benefits members and the wider breeding industry,” he said.

“The board is well aware that any initiative needs to be well thought out and have a strong financial basis.

“At this point and time, many elements of the proposal remain under consideration and are not yet finalised. As such, it would be premature to comment further,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, sources close to the IHFA have denied that the proposed development of a nucleus herd was a joint venture.

“We’ve only had outline discussions with the industry at the moment,” the source said.

Those calling for an EGM want the IHFA membership to be able to consider and vote on the proposals to establish a nucleus herd.

An EGM of the IHFA can only be called by the association’s board.