Intake Applications

• ICBF has introduced selection procedures to ensure that breeders of the best quality bulls are given the opportunity to enter their animals into Tully. As a result of this procedural change, eligibility criteria have been introduced based on animal age, predicted BLUP and EBI figures, and pedigree; information made available from the ICBF beef animal cattle-breeding database.
• The number of animals targeted for selection is generally between 1500 and 2000 bulls per intake. Predicted BLUP requirements are 108 for muscle, 105 for skeletal, and 100 for functionality. These BLUP requirements only apply to Charolais, Limousin, and Simmental breeds, while all other breeds are eligible based on age and pedigree alone. In the future, eligibility will be based on the new economic breeding index (EBI) system for determination of breeding quality.
• The application process involves inspecting and accepting more bulls than Tully can actually house. The reason for this is that we have to allow for those animals and herds that fail to meet the entry criteria. There is no way of knowing how many will fail until such a time that the test results are complete. With this in mind, ICBF aims to give all breeders who have successfully past inspection and health testing, an equal opportunity to have a bull performance tested.

Application Procedure

1. Breeders receive notification, including an application form, by mail if they have animal(s) that are eligible for entry to Tully. Breeders who wish to apply send application forms to Tully, at which time an inspection of the bulls by ICBF inspectors begins.
2. Breeders who own bulls that have passed inspection are notified by mail of this. Notification includes instructions on veterinarian testing required (Private Veterinary Practitioner instructions), a PVP form, a DVO form, a letter informing the breeder of the protocol, and an important points sheet.
3. Blood samples taken by the local vet (as opposed to a DVO vet) for EBL, Johnes, BVD and IBR are sent to Abbotstown for testing.
4. Once the health tests (TB, Brucellosis, EBL, Johnes, BVD, and IBR) have been passed (negative) the veterinarian fills out the BPT2 PVP, and the breeder is required to take the BPT2 (DVO) form to his/her DVO for completion.
5. At this point the breeder may bring his/her bull(s) to Tully along with the animals' passport/cattle ID, CMMS movement permit, PVP and DVO forms completed and signed, and a €100 deposit/animal.
6. Once at the Test Station the breeder is required to fill out and sign a Bull Agreement.