The Irish Parthenaise Cattle Society exhibit will be located in Block 3, LS 29 at this year’s National Ploughing Championships. 

The Parthenaise breed has become very popular in recent years with the specialist suckler farmer and beef finishers. It is noted primarily for its high killout percentages in the factories.

ICBF information points towards a developing trend in dairy farmers experimenting with Parthenaise AI.

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Recent ICBF data on the slaughter of Parthenaise Friesian crosses on individual farms has indicated that almost 80% of finished Parthenaise x Friesians are grading U at slaughter.  Farmer satisfaction with the trials is positive.

The killout/meat grades coupled with the relatively high calving ease of the Parthenaise breed and with a shorter gestation length provides additional options to the dairy farmer when selecting a beef breed on the dairy herd. 

Parthenaise have an average terminal index of €135, which places the breed in poll position on the ICBF Beef HerdPlus breed averages masterlist for 2014.

Parthenaise cross cattle are also identified as the top breed for loin development on the carcase. Linear scoring on Irish farms has identified this fact quite clearly.

Suckler herd

The Parthenaise society has always said it is proud of the fact that Parthenaise cross cows have proven to be major contributors within the national suckler herd due to their excellent maternal abilities, as this breed of cow has been a consistent producer of top-quality calves for shipping.

Based on the increase in ICBF indexes and the farmer satisfaction with the capabilities of the Parthenaise production sire, all can only be positive for the breed in Ireland. 

This has been marked by the increase in pedigree breeder numbers in response to the niche in the market.

The Parthenaise Cattle Society has also been actively involved in the ICBF maternal beef programme, which is a declaration of its continued commitment to the Irish beef industry and to the improvement of the Irish suckler herd.

On view at this year’s Ploughing stand will be a good selection of crossbreds including crosses from the dairy herd, along with prize winners from the shows around the country in 2014.

Representatives from the Parthenaise society have said they will gladly provide assistance and information relating to all aspects of the breed in Ireland currently.