The top 200 EBI herds have been revealed by the ICBF today and for the first time in five evaluations there has been a change in the top spot.
Kieran Hearne, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Waterford takes pole position with an EBI of €230, having been second in the previous three evaluation runs.
James Murray, Derrinsallagh, Birr, Co. Offaly has moved up six places to second position with an EBI of €234. The ICBF show that €61 of this comes from the milk sub-index and €138 coming from the fertility sub-index.
Former list topper, Pat Flynn comes in at number three on the list with an EBI of €234. The Kilworth farmer had the highest rated herd in the last five evaluations.
Jim Delahunt, Carrig, Co. Tipperary has climbed one position to fourth with an EBI of €232, while Timothy Fitzgerald, Green Road, Ballyroan, Portlaoise, Co. Laois claims fifth position with an EBI of €232.
The ICBF’s evaluations also show that there are now 93 herds with an EBI of €200 or more. This is an increase of 30 herds from the previous evaluation.
It also shows that 25 herds have made the top 200 list for the first time, while Clement Twomey, Mount Rivers, Fermoy, Co. Cork has recorded the biggest jump with his average EBI rising from €193 to €210, putting him in 33rd position.
The average EBI of the Top 200 herds is €202 (up €4) with €63 coming from the Milk Sub-Index and €103 from the Fertility Sub-Index. This compares with a national average of €137, the ICBF show.
The full list of herds can be found on the ICBF website.
Top 20 EBI herds
What is EBI?
EBI is a single figure profit index aimed at helping farmers identify the most profitable bulls and cows for breeding dairy herd replacements.
It comprises of information on six sub-indexes related to profitable milk production. These are; (i) Milk production, (ii) Fertility, (iii) Calving performance, (iv) Beef carcass (v) Maintenance and (v) Health