The Suckler Beef Gene Ireland Panel for Autumn 2024 has been launched, and we are excited to offer our customers the latest selection of AI bulls. These bulls, selected by ICBF and our programme partners as part of the national breeding programme, in collaboration with DAFM, ICBF, commercial farmers, pedigree breeders, and breed societies. The Gene Ireland beef programme continues to grow in popularity as both commercial and pedigree breeders recognise the benefits of these new high index bulls.
Some of the most widely used AI bulls in the Irish suckler herd originated on the Gene Ireland programme, including Intelagri Matteo (AA4089), Lapon (CH4321), Castleview Gazelle (ZAG), Curraheen Earp (SI2152), Ewdenvale Ivor (LM2014), and Powerful Proper (LM7416). These bulls have become cornerstones of many herds, with significant numbers of their progeny retained as breeding stock.
The primary goal of the Gene Ireland programme is to progeny test young, high-index bulls and provide Irish suckler farmers with proven, high-index bulls as swiftly as possible. Increasingly, these bulls are young Irish sires identified through the ICBF database. Progeny testing helps verify their indexes and genetic merit, enabling stakeholders (breed societies, AI companies, and breeders) to enhance future breeding programmes with elite proven sires.
The ICBF’s central database facilitates the flow of data from across the agricultural sector (vets, meat factories, AI companies, breed societies, farmers, and researchers) into a single hub. This data is analysed to deliver high-reliability evaluations, allowing AI companies to identify promising Irish bulls for future use in the national herd after Gene Ireland testing.
Farmers who use Gene Ireland bulls are required to record essential data, such as insemination dates, calving dates, calving difficulty, and liveweights. This information helps identify important traits like gestation length, calving ease, average daily gain (ADG), milk production, and fertility.
Herdowners can purchase straws at €7 each (with delivery to their or their technician’s tank), with a minimum order of 10 straws (preferably two bulls x five straws). The usage of these straws within the national herd is critical to the programme’s success. ICBF may also contact farmers to purchase progeny from these bulls for further testing at the progeny test centre in Tully.
The bull panel is divided into two categories: Replacement and Terminal. Farmers can choose freely from any of the bulls, all of which are 5-star across breeds on at least one of the main indexes.
The bull panel this year is an offering of some of the highest index new bulls available in AI. By participating in the Gene Ireland programme you are helping to drive the rate of genetic gain in not only your herd but also the national herd. You could also be amongst the first to use the next Lapon or Ewdenvale Ivor bull.
To order straws please call ICBF on 023 8820452 or email [email protected].