ICBF and the program partners, have recently launched the exciting new Gene Ireland panel of high index beef bulls for Autumn 2022. The Gene Ireland breeding program is a joint initiative between pedigree breeders, commercial farmers, breed societies, AI Companies, DAFM & ICBF. The primary aim of the program is to robustly progeny test high index beef bulls which will produce profitable cows for the suckler beef industry. The minimum criteria for a bull to be included on the panel is 5 Stars across breed on either the Replacement or Terminal Index.

Also included is a section dedicated to high Terminal Index bulls which are selected to produce profitable animals for sale or slaughter. The minimum criteria for a bull to be included in the Terminal section is 5 Stars across breed on the Terminal Index.

The Benefits:

  • Access to the highest index new beef bulls in Irish AI at only €5 per straw (technician charges may apply).
  • Straws will be delivered to your own tank or the technician of your choosing.
  • Potential to sell some progeny back to ICBF for future performance testing at the Tully Beef Test Centre.
  • Progress towards meeting the requirements of suckler schemes.
  • Freedom to choose the bulls and breeds that you require from the catalogue.

Breeds that are currently available on the panel include Charolais, Limousin and Simmental. Additional breeds may be added to the programme at a later stage.

To order your straws please call ICBF on 045 521573.

Replacement Panel

Code Breed Name Bred By Repl Idx Nominated By
CH8112 CH Messmer Alain Cocandeau, France. €182 Gene Ireland
SI8520 SI Portroyal Mr Bull PP John A. Hession, Co Mayo. €163 NCBC
LM8286 LM Rutland Reuben Noel Ruttledge, Co Mayo. €153 NCBC
SI8121 SI Epik Agrochyt P Vláďa Chytka, Czech Republic. €151 Gene Ireland
LM8109 LM Percy Lepa de Montmorillon, France. €150 Gene Ireland
LM7599 LM Moebius Gaec Domaine Laurens, France. €130 Gene Ireland
LM8259 LM Keltic Rembrandt Mac Murphy, Co Meath €129 NCBC

 

One of the highest Replacement Index bulls that has become available on the panel this Autumn is the NCBC owned Irish bred Simmental Portroyal Mr Bull PP (SI8520). Bred in Co Mayo by John Hession this polled bull ranks very highly on the Replacement Index combined with a Beef Cow Calving Difficulty of 1%.

Portroyal Mr Bull PP (SI8520)

Terminal Panel

Code Breed Name Bred By Term Idx Nominated By
CH8541 CH Cattanview Supreme Tim Higgins, Co Leitrim. €185 Dovea
CH8262 CH Grangwood Royal Oak Jeremiah O’Keeffe, Co Limerick €165 NCBC
LM7716 LM Birchpark Rufus Owen Flannery, Co Clare. €159 Dovea
CH8535 CH Tullyvillage Shane William Flynn, Co Galway. €158 Dovea
CH8334 CH Corbaun Rory Liam Keogh, Co Longford €149 NCBC
CH8571 CH Recif Thierry Frecon, France €135 NCBC

 

Tullyvillage Shane (CH8535)

One of the standout terminal sires on this years panel is the Dovea owned Tullyvillage Shane (CH8535). Bred by William Flynn in Co Galway this Carrickbrack Hutch son has CF52 on the dams side and is sure to catch the eye of commercial suckler farmers looking to avail of a sire with +42.7 kg on Carcass Weight.

To order your straws please call ICBF on 045 521573.