The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has released the rankings of bulls that sired the most calves born from July 1, 2020 through to December 31, 2020.

For the second half of 2020, a total of 182,378 head of beef calves (beef sire crossed on a beef dam) were born on Irish farms – which saw 44,367 calves being sired by an AI bull.

The two breeds coming out as dominent in the top 10 ranking are both Charolais and Limousin. The 60:40 ratio sees six Charolais bulls and four Limousin bulls on this list.

These 10 bulls account for 30% of all the AI progeny born in the second half of 2020.

Top 10 sires

Taking the top spot is the Charolais sire Fiston (FSZ) from the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) who sired 3,687 head of calves in the second half of 2020. Fiston also has strong indices to boast, with a terminal index of €156 and a replacement index of €124.

In second place is the Limousin bull Castleview Gazelle (ZAG), siring 3,253 calves last autumn. This bull also has a strong replacement index value of €124.

The third position goes to another popular Limousin sire, Elderberry Galahad (EBY). This Dovea AI bull was the father to 2,226 calves in the second half of 2020 and is valued with a terminal index of €121.

The full top 10 AI sires with the most progeny recorded to them between July 1, 2020 through to December 31, 2020 can be viewed below.

Evaluation based on the January 2021 run / Data source: ICBF

Breed by breed

Looking briefly at the other breeds, the top-ranking Angus sire was Cornamuckla Lord Hardy (KYA), who sired 532 calves last autumn.

In the Aubrac breed, the AI bull Johnstown Loyd 1039 (AU4563) came out on top. He sired 117 calves and is currently given a value of €175 on the replacement index.

Manitou De Belle Eau (DBZ) was the most used Belgian Blue sire in the second half of last year tallying up 215 calves.

The Hereford bull Fabb 1 Northern Star {HYF} (HE4297), sired 173 calves born last autumn, which placed him as the most used sire with the breed for that period.

Representing the top ranking for the Simmental breed is Curaheen Earp (SI2152), who fathered 447 calves. Earp also has a staggering replacement index value of €210.

For the Saler breed, Knottown Roy (SA4604) sired 358 calves which gave him top ranking within the breed. The maternal traits are very strong within this bull, as he is awarded a replacement index value of €251.

Buncraggy Firefox (SH4748) sired 78 calves and was the highest used Shorthorn AI sire. Meanwhile, Stonelea Inzagi (BA2308) took the top placing for the Blonde d’Aquitaine having sired 67 calves in the second half of last year.