Farmers, students, agricultural professionals and industry stakeholders are being invited to attend the ICBF Tully Open Day on Tuesday, September 8, from 3:30pm to 7:00pm at the Tully Progeny Test Centre in Co. Kildare.

The event will provide a unique opportunity to visit one of Ireland's leading cattle research facilities and gain an insight into the work supporting Ireland's national cattle breeding programmes.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet the team behind the research and learn how genetics, performance recording and innovation are helping to drive progress across the dairy and beef sectors.

The Open Day will showcase current research projects and demonstrate how the work undertaken at Tully contributes to genetic improvement, efficiency and sustainability across Irish cattle production.

The Tully Progeny Test Centre plays a key role in measuring traits that are difficult and expensive to record on commercial farms, including feed intake, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, meat quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

The data generated at the centre supports national breeding programmes and helps farmers breed animals that are more profitable, efficient and sustainable.

Speaking ahead of the event, ICBF chief executive Sean Coughlan said: "The Tully Progeny Test Centre is a unique national resource that allows us to measure traits that are difficult or impossible to record on commercial farms.

"We encourage anyone with an interest in cattle breeding and livestock innovation to come along and see the work for themselves."

Attendees will learn how animal performance, efficiency and sustainability traits are measured and how this information is translated into practical breeding tools used by farmers nationwide.

The event will also highlight the important role that research and innovation are playing in helping the Irish livestock sector meet future challenges while maintaining profitability and competitiveness.

ICBF is encouraging anyone interested in cattle breeding, genetics and livestock innovation to attend.

To assist with catering arrangements, advance registration is requested.

Event details

When: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | 3:30p.m-7:00p.m;
Where: ICBF Tully Progeny Test Centre, Tully, Co. Kildare (R51 HN92).