Following last week’s release of the HerdPlus® Dairy Calving reports, ICBF can report further improvement has taken place in the fertility performance of the national dairy herd,with the average calving interval having improved by 3 days (more…)
Beef Liveweight Output is a figure requested as part of the BTAP Baseline Survey. Beef Liveweight Output is a measure of…
Backround of the herd: The herd goes back to 8 heifers imported from Austria in 1975 by Tom Brickley, Gerard’s father, to found the Anatrim Herd. Further imports have taken place over the years to ensure adequate milk and new traits such as Polled have being introduced. The Celtic herd has now been built up to 52 calving, which starts on 1st December. The aim is to tighten calving into a 3 month period. Embryo transfer is extensively used, with 40% of calves born by ET this past season. (more…)
Background of the herd: The herd was established in 1998, with the first females sourced in Ireland. Cattle were subsequently purchased and imported from France in 2002. The herd now comprises of approximately 100 breeding Salers females.
Maternal Breeding: The herd has an overall replacement index rating of €273, which makes it one of the highest ranking herds in the country, across all breeds.
Top Maternal Cows: One of the top cows in the herd is Knottown Ena (Sired by Gitan). She has a maternal index of €357 (reliability: 46%). She was born on the 17th of November 2004. She has had 7 calves, and is a very hard working cow with an average calving interval of 363 days. A son of this cow, is currently being considered for the Gene Ireland bull breeder program. Another cow of note is the imported French cow, Usance (pictured), who was the winner of the RDS maternal index award in 2013. Again, she boasts a phenomenal replacement index of €375, and is currently with her eighth calf with an average calving interval of 357 days.
The Gene Ireland maternal beef breeding program is starting to purchase bulls, which is a major step forward for Irish beef breeding. A total of 20-25 bulls are expected to be purchased over the next number of weeks, with semen then available from these bulls for the 2014 program. (more…)
“Some bulls had 20% of their calves infected with BVD, whilst other bulls had 0% calves infected with BVD. Why is this?” This was the question posed by Dr Donagh Berry, Teagasc, at last week’s ICBF beef and dairy industry meeting in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. (more…)
Philip Leech, Beech Hill, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Backround of the herd: Two pedigree Charolais cows were purchased in 1995. The herd…
Welcome to the updated ICBF web site. Here is some brief information that might help you find your way. (more…)
1. Describe your Beef Production System Limousin & Simmental cross cows out British Friesian cows. All progeny finished on farm and…