Since 2007, Beef Gene Ireland has helped identify and prove some of the best beef genetics available to Irish farmers. Its success has been driven by collaboration between pedigree breeders, commercial farmers, breed societies, AI companies, DAFM and ICBF.
The programme aims to progeny test high-index beef bulls with the goal of producing more profitable animals for both suckler and dairy-beef herds. In response to industry concerns around the maternal characteristics of the national suckler herd, the programme moved to its current format in 2014.
The programme follows a simple format. To be selected for the Replacement, Terminal or Dairy Beef panel, a bull must be rated a minimum of 5 stars within breed on the relevant index. Straws are made available to participating farmers at a discounted price of €8 per straw. In return, farmers record key on-farm data including insemination dates, calving ease, calf vigour and animal weights. This information is used to build reliable genetic evaluations and identify the next generation of elite AI sires.
Delivering Results
The impact of Beef Gene Ireland can be seen in the scale of the programme and its contribution to genetic progress within the national herd.
As of June 2026:
- 446 beef breed bulls tested
- 13 beef breeds represented
- 1.94 million calves sired
- 817,000 calves born within Beef Gene Ireland herds
The programme’s influence is also evident in the Active Bull List across the Replacement, Terminal and Dairy Beef indexes. In the May 2026 genetic evaluations, Beef Gene Ireland-tested bulls accounted for:
- 5 of the top 10 Replacement Index bulls
- 2 of the top 10 Terminal Index bulls
- 9 of the top 10 Dairy Beef Index bulls
Producing Proven AI Sires
Without a doubt, one of the greatest successes of Beef Gene Ireland has been the bulls themselves. Many of the most recognised and widely used AI sires in Ireland began their careers as Gene Ireland test bulls.
Bulls such as Fiston (FSZ), Ardelea Rolex (ADX), Ewendale Ivor (LM2014), Curraheen Earp (SI2152), Lapon (CH4321) and Drumline S (LM9577) are just some examples of sires that graduated from the programme before going on to make a significant impact within the Irish cattle population.
By combining industry collaboration with real on-farm data, Beef Gene Ireland continues to play a key role in identifying high-index, high-performance, high-reliability beef bulls for Ireland’s suckler and dairy-beef herds.
Looking Ahead
Beef Gene Ireland continues to play a vital role in the future of Irish cattle breeding. By combining industry collaboration with real on-farm data, the programme is helping to identify high-index, high-performance and high-reliability beef bulls capable of meeting the needs of today’s farmers and the wider beef industry.
As the demands on the national herd continue to evolve, Beef Gene Ireland remains committed to delivering genetics that work for Irish farmers.