Invariably bulls are only proven for milk traits and not for female fertility traits which remains a key issue for dairy farmers. If you want to improve fertility and other traits related to fitness on your farm then you need to use teams of bulls. In this short clip, Margaret Kelleher from ICBF speaks about when planning what bulls to use this breeding season, also plan how to use each bull equally across your herd. (more…)
The breeding season on Irish dairy farms has become increasingly concentrated in the late April to June period. Teagasc in conjunction with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) will run a dairy breeding week this March. (more…)
Bryan Kingston (ICBF) explains the role of the national breeding programme in the Irish dairy Industry (more…)
ICBF and FBD would like to congratulate and thank this year’s winners and all the finalists involved in the 2020 FBD Breeding Awards. The hard work and determination shown by all the finalists across the beef, dairy and sheep categories will lead to a more profitable and sustainable future at both an individual and a national herd level. (more…)
The overall winners of the FBD Breeding Awards will be announced next Wednesday 3rd March at 8pm on the ICBF website www.icbf.com and all ICBF social media platforms. The winners will also be published in the Irish Farmer’s Journal on Thursday the 4th March. (more…)
Brendan Brady operates a 130 pedigree HO/FR cow herd under the Knockmullane prefix in Innishannon, Co Cork. The overall herd EBI has seen a steady increase from €133 in 2016 to €189 in 2021. (more…)
Pierce and Mary Delaney from Kilmallock, Co. Limerick operate a herd of 70 pedigree HO/FR cows under the prefix of Coolentallagh. Their overall herd EBI is outstanding at €189 and ranks in the top 1% of herds nationally. The herd’s Fertility sub-index also lies in the top 1% nationally at €91. Pierce and Mary have been working on the herd’s fertility over the past number of years and feels that his efforts are now paying off. (more…)
Don & Michelle Crowley with herdsperson Pat Coakley and Don’s parent’s Denis & Helen farm a 140 cow HO/FR herd in Ballineen, Co. Cork. The Crowley’s are actively engaged in high levels of data recording which can be seen through their participation in milk recording, AI usage, involvement in Greenbreed and the DNA Calf Registration programme. (more…)
The National dairy cow population is continually increasing and has done so each and every year over the last decade. (more…)