In pictures: check out the new Gene Ireland beef panel

The ICBF and its programme partners recently launched the new Gene Ireland panel of high-replacement-index beef bulls for spring 2020.

The bulls have been selected based on their potential to deliver in two key areas:

The panel features a broad spectrum of breeds: Angus, Aubrac, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Parthenaise, Piedmontese, Shorthorn and Simmental. Additional breeds may be added to the programme during the year.

Key points

Finnlough Finn (SH5431) – Shorthorn

Replacement index: €183 (5*across all beef breeds)

Terminal index: €100 (3*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 1.5%, beef heifer = 5.8%

Comment: Has a five-star daughter milk figure of +12.5kg and an impressive carcase weight figure of +23.7kg (5*). Carcase conformation is weak though, at just +0.73 (1*) so needs shapey cows.

Sliabh Luachra Mario (AU5428) – Aubrac

Replacement index: €177 (5*)

Terminal index: €119 (4*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 1%, beef heifer = 4.3%

Comment: Has a five-star daughter milk figure of +7kg and an impressive carcase conformation figure of +2.03 (5*). Carcase weight is moderate +14.4kg (3*). Very easy-calving.

Kilgulbin Parthenaise Logan (PT4570) – Parthenaise

Replacement index: €160 (5*)

Terminal index: €138 (5*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 6.7%, beef heifer = 11.4%

Comment: Has an impressive carcase weight figure of +30.6kg (5*) and an equally impressive carcase conformation figure of +2.38 (5*). Daughter milk is moderate to low at +1.4kg (3*) and the calving difficulty figure indicates mature cows only.

Allowdale Apache (HE5298) - Hereford

Replacement index: €151 (5*)

Terminal index: €72 (2*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 2.3%, beef heifer = 8.8%

Comment: Strong daughter performance expectations with milk at +9.3kg (5*) and daughter calving interval at -4.88 days (5*). Doesn’t stand out terminal-wise though, with a carcase weight figure of +11kg (2*) and carcase conformation of +0.73 (1*).

Jubilo P (CH5974) – Charolais

Replacement index: €140 (5*)

Terminal index: €149 (5*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 6.8%, beef heifer = 8.3%

Comment: Strong all-rounder with carcase weight at a very high +40.6kg (5*) and conformation of +1.99 (5*). Daughter performance equally promising with milk of +6.1kg (5*). Not for hard-calved cows.

Gabriel Poundman (AA5310) – Angus

Replacement index: €139 (5*)

Terminal index: €78 (3*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 2%, beef heifer = 3.7%

Comment: Good daughter performance here, underpinned by a daughter milk figure of +7.3kg (5*) and daughter calving interval of -7.13 days (5*). Doesn’t bring as much to the beef side though, with carcase weight and conformation both one-star across all breeds and three-star within the breed.

Sandymount Nordic (PI4566) – Piedmontese

Replacement index: €136 (5*)

Terminal index: €126 (4*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 2.9%, beef heifer = 7.8%

Comment: Terminally very strong, with carcase weight of +19.8kg (5*) and conformation of +2.58 (5*). Poor daughter milk at -2.2kg (1*).

IX (LM5983) – Limousin

Replacement index: €134 (5*)

Terminal index: €131 (5*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 4.4%, beef heifer = 8.5%

Comment: Terminally very strong with carcase weight of +27.8kg (5*) and conformation of +2.27 (5*). Daughter milk also good at +4.9kg (4*).

Clara Ronaldo (AA5434) – Angus

Replacement index: €128 (5*)

Terminal index: €84 (3*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 1.7%, beef heifer = 4.8%

Comment: Impressive daughter milk figure of +8.4kg (5*) and a five-star daughter calving interval too. Carcase weight is good for the breed too at +11.8kg (2*)

Leeherd Jake 319 (SI5292) – Simmental

Replacement index: €123 (5*)

Terminal index: €82 (3*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 2.2%, beef heifer = 4.9%

Comment: Daughter milk is very good here with a figure of +10.2kg (5*). Carcase weight is moderate at +19.3kg (4*) and so too is conformation at +1.32 (3*).

Love P (CH5626) - Charolais

Replacement index: €120 (5*)

Terminal index: €166 (5*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 3.5%, beef heifer = 10.7%

Comment: This bull has the highest terminal figure on the panel, under-pinned by a massive carcase weight of +44.8kg (5*). This is attractive given the low calving difficulty for cows. Daughter milk holds its own at +3.5kg (4*)

Shiloh Hot Rod (SI4590) - Simmental

Replacement index: €117 (5*)

Terminal index: €94 (3*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 6.1%, beef heifer = 10.2%

Comment: Excellent terminal figures for the breed with carcase weight of +31.9kg (5*) and conformation of +1.51 (5*). Comes at a higher calving difficulty though. Daughter milk is good at +8.2kg (5*).

Jectisse (LM5629) – Limousin

Replacement index: €116 (5*)

Terminal index: €116 (4*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 3%, beef heifer = 6%

Comment: A bit of everything with carcase weight of +21.4kg (4*) and a five-star conformation figure. Daughter milk moderate at +2.2kg (3*).

Bearna-Dhearg Honda 50 (SI4595) - Simmental

Replacement index: €108 (5*)

Terminal index: €97 (3*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 4.5%, beef heifer = 9.4%

Comment: Another all-rounder with very strong daughter milk of +10.5kg (5*) and an equally strong carcase weight of +29.2kg (5*) and a four-star conformation figure to match.

Jalabert (CH5980) - Charolais

Replacement index: €104 (5*)

Terminal index: €128 (4*)

Calving difficulty: Beef cow = 5.5%, beef heifer = 13.2%

Comment: Leans more towards his terminal traits with +38.1kg (5*) carcase weight but also attractive from a replacement perspective with a daughter milk figure of +4.4kg – four-star across the breed but five-star within.

Further information

Further information on the bulls currently available and a copy of the terms and conditions, which must be signed to avail of the straws, are available on the ICBF website.

If you are interested in participating in the Gene Ireland beef programme in 2020, or have any questions in relation to the programme, contact ICBF on 023 882 0452 or email nkilrane@icbf.com.