Pedigree Angus bull Drumcrow Tribesman (AA8172) was purchased in a partnership agreement between Certified Irish Angus and Dovea Genetics in December 2021.
The bull has been continuing to deliver since then, and at the recent Annual Irish Angus Elite Sale in Carrick on Shannon, the prize list was dominated by sons and daughters of Drumcrow Tribesman.
Described as ‘Ireland’s Top Pedigree Angus Elite Sale’ the event is a prestigious one in the agricultural calendar, attracting cattle breeders and enthusiasts from across the country and beyond. 15% of all the bulls on offer this year were sired by Drumcrow Tribesman.
Certified Irish Angus recently developed its pioneering Elite Breed Improvement Programme which relies on the genetics which Drumcrow Tribesman provides.
The aim of this programme is to provide members of the group with direction that helps them to meet the climate challenges of the future by using better genetics while delivering consistently better beef for the consumer.
The programme set out to deliver cross-sectorial benefits to all these involved in the breeding of better Angus cattle.
Pedigree breeders who sign up to the programme and use male sexed semen receive an €80 payment upon the registration of a genotyped male calf. These calves are then marketed to dairy and suckler farmers.
Assistance and advice on all aspects of breeding is provided to any breeders involved in the programme.
Dairy or suckler farmers who purchase one of these Elite Breed Improvement bulls are offered a reclaim of €200 from Certified Irish Angus to assist in the purchase of better genetics.
In the case of dairy farmers who wish to sell their calves, the group offers a service to match the calves with beef farmers who are looking for calves from a known single source and with improved genetic traits.
This project aims to add additional value across the entire supply chain for Certified Irish Angus members.
Managing director of Certified Irish Angus Charles Smith said: “Our Elite Breed Improvement Programme is a long-term project, and two years into it, more signs of success are starting to appear.
“The success of Tribesman at the elite sale is a huge boost in confidence for breeders and beef farmers using this bull, and will in turn deliver on all three pillars of sustainability.
“The line up of success was extremely impressive especially given the fact that it was achieved at such a prestigious event.”
Progeny from the bull took the following titles at the elite sale:
- Senior Male Champion;
- Reserve senior male champion;
- Junior male champion;
- Senior female champion.
The average bull sale price for the sale was €3,940 and the average Drumcrow Tribesman sons sale price was €4,350.
“All in all, the first stage of this initiative would appear to be delivering its objectives,” according to the Certified Irish Angus managing director.
Pedigree breeders interested in joining can contact Mark McCoy in Certified Irish Angus.