As part of the Gene Ireland Maternal Programme, ICBF is now selling nine high index beef bulls that have fulfilled their semen requirements in stud.
According to ICBF’s Beef Breeding Analyst Ciaran Costello, these bulls have been sourced to tackle the deteriorating performance of the maternal traits in the national suckler herd, namely milk and fertility.
“It is important to note that the profitability of a suckler herd is directly related to the number of calves reared per cow per year.
So, concentrating on breeding the next generation of replacement heifers is crucial in terms of improving the maternal traits in the national suckler herd.
The Beef Breeding Analyst also said that the breeding decisions made on farm now will have an impact on the future genetics of the herd.
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The ICBF representative said that it is important to remember that these bulls and their dams have passed rigorous inspections.
“These bulls are designed to breed more milk and better fertility into the national suckler herd,” he said.
Costello added that the long-term objective of the scheme is to reverse the decline in maternal traits, such as milk and fertility, in the national suckler herd.
To date, this has been done by identifying high Replacement Index bulls in pedigree beef herds and carrying out comprehensive progeny testing on these bulls.
The ICBF had previously reported good demand for Gene Ireland beef AI straws from farmers across the country with 1,000 straws collected from each bull on offer, he added.
The bulls will be sold through a tendering process and each bull has a reserve of €2,500, closing date for tenders is June 30.