The Gene Ireland Beef Panels for Autumn 2026 are now available, giving suckler farmers access to a new selection of high-index Replacement and Terminal AI bulls for just €8 per straw.
The Gene Ireland Beef Panels for Autumn 2026 have been launched, offering Irish suckler farmers access to the latest selection of high-index beef bulls through the Gene Ireland breeding programme.
Gene Ireland is a joint initiative involving ICBF, pedigree breeders, commercial farmers, breed societies, AI companies and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The primary aim of the programme is to progeny test high-index beef bulls and identify sires with the potential to produce profitable animals for the Irish suckler beef industry.
For Autumn 2026, the Gene Ireland Beef Panel is divided into two categories, Replacement and Terminal, allowing farmers to choose bulls that best suit their individual breeding objectives.
View the full directory below:
Supporting Genetic Progress in the Irish Suckler Herd
Progeny testing is a key part of the Gene Ireland programme. By using young, high-index bulls across commercial herds and collecting performance information on their progeny, the programme helps to build greater reliability around their genetic evaluations.
Farmers participating in Gene Ireland play an important role in this process by recording key information such as insemination dates, calving dates, calving difficulty and liveweights. This information contributes to the evaluation of economically important traits including gestation length, calving ease, growth, milk production and fertility.
There is also the potential for ICBF to purchase selected progeny from Gene Ireland bulls for future performance testing at the Tully Beef Test Centre.
Autumn 2026 Gene Ireland Replacement Panel
Bulls included on the Gene Ireland Replacement Panel must be 5 Stars across breed on the Replacement Index.
| Code | Breed | Name | Replacement Index | Nominated By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA2992 | Angus | Carrigroe Alexander | €240 | NCBC |
| SA3052 | Salers | Spiddal Dad | €177 | Dovea |
| CH3096 | Charolais | Ulmo P | €167 | Gene Ireland |
| SI3102 | Simmental | Bighill Scholar PP | €164 | NCBC |
| HE1915 | Hereford | Creggpark Chrissy MC PP | €148 | NCBC |
| LM3059 | Limousin | Tweet | €138 | Dovea |
Carrigroe Alexander (AA2992)
One of the highest Replacement Index bulls available on the panel this autumn is the NCBC-owned, Irish-bred Angus bull Carrigroe Alexander (AA2992).
Bred by John Appelbe in Co. Cork, Carrigroe Alexander has a Replacement Index of €240, combined with a Beef Cow Calving Difficulty figure of 1.7%.
Autumn 2026 Gene Ireland Terminal Panel
For farmers focused on producing profitable animals for sale or finishing, the Autumn panel also includes a dedicated selection of high Terminal Index bulls.
Bulls included on the Gene Ireland Terminal Panel must be 5 Stars across breed on the Terminal Index.
| Code | Breed | Name | Terminal Index | Nominated By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB3070 | Belgian Blue | Loughcrew Topgun | €197 | Dovea |
| CH3091 | Charolais | Uston P | €194 | Gene Ireland |
| BB2764 | Belgian Blue | Guliver 9495 Des Awis | €170 | NCBC |
| LM3054 | Limousin | Shannon Vision | €151 | Dovea |
| CH3092 | Charolais | Perceval | €147 | Gene Ireland |
Loughcrew Topgun (BB3070)
One of the highest Terminal Index sires on this year’s panel is the Dovea-owned Loughcrew Topgun (BB3070).
Bred by Michael Corrigan in Co. Meath, Loughcrew Topgun has a Terminal Index of €197 and a Carcass Weight figure of +43.9kg, making him a strong option for farmers focused on terminal performance.
Benefits of the Gene Ireland Beef Programme
Farmers using bulls from the Gene Ireland Beef Panels can benefit from:
- Access to high-index new beef bulls in Irish AI for just €8 per straw. Technician charges may apply.
- Straws delivered to the farmer’s own tank or to a technician of their choice.
- The potential to sell selected 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 best suit their breeding objectives from the catalogue.
Beef Breeds Available for Autumn 2026
Breeds currently available on the Gene Ireland Beef Panels include:
Angus, Belgian Blue, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Salers and Simmental.
Additional breeds may be added to the programme at a later stage.
How to Order Gene Ireland Straws
Farmers interested in using bulls from the Gene Ireland Beef Panels for Autumn 2026 can order straws by logging in to their ICBF HerdPlus account.
Alternatively, contact the HerdPlus team:
Phone: 023 882 0452
Email: [email protected]
To order straws please call ICBF on 023 8820452 or email [email protected].
