Introduction

The G€N€ IR€LAND progeny testing programme was launched in April 2005. It is a joint venture involving ICBF and the AI companies wishing to provide bulls to the programme.

The aim of the programme is to progeny test elite young sires in Irish Farming condition, ensuring enough daughters will be milk recorded as 2-year-olds to obtain a reliable proof.

PLEASE NOTE: G€N€ IR€LAND terms and conditions will be available shortly.

What are the objectives of G€N€ IR€LAND?

For the past few years there has been little change in the top ranking bulls on the ICBF Active Bull List. Although there are a small number of bulls being tested each year by respective AI Companies the efficiency of these programmes are not ideal.
Current rate of genetic gain is about 20% of what could be achieved from an optimum programme. Achieving this target for farmers could increase profits for farmers by €1250/year/50 cows. In order to realize these gains for farmers, G€N€ IR€LAND is focused on 3 key areas;

 

1. 1)  Selection of high EBI young bulls from Irish cow families.
   2)  Progeny testing these young bulls on a “targeted” set of herds.
   	2.1) Using a group of bulls and associated reliability
   3)  Elite bulls are returned to AI.

Progress to date

The following table shows the progress that has been made to date.

PROGRAMME	NO. HERDS PARTICIPATING	NO. BULLS TESTED	AVERAGE EBI*
2005 – Spring	155	20	€81
2005 – Autumn	140	10	€71
2006 – Spring	487	45	€94#

* Evaluation date: May 2006
#  Doesn’t include bulls from Friesian Programme