Richard O’Shaughnessy farms 86 commercial dairy cows in Askeaton, Co. Limerick. The herd consists of 86 milking cows and 60 youngstock. The overall herd EBI has seen a gradual increase from €146 in 2017 to €164 in 2020. (more…)
ICBF is now publishing a file during each evaluation highlighting the count of records included in the latest evaluation including the number of new records added between each evaluation. (more…)
Miriam and Benny Sheridan run the Randalstown Charolais herd near Navan in Co. Meath. The herd consists of 10 pedigree Charolais cows, 5 pedigree Charolais heifers, 4 commercial cows and 4 pedigree Charolais young bulls. The Sheridans breed animals destined for both the suckler and dairy herd. As a result, the traits that are most important in this herd when making breeding decisions are calving ease, fertility, docility, carcass and milk. (more…)
Sean Treacy is an organic farmer who runs a suckler to beef system on 41ha near Thomastown Co. Kilkenny. The herd consists of 22 suckler cows and 27 steers. The overall herd Replacement Index has seen a gradual increase from €85 in 2015 to €107 in 2020. Sean has been an active HerdPlus member since 2017. (more…)
The January 2021 evaluation figures are now available for all dairy and beef animals. The ICBF Animal Search, Active Bull Lists and Stock Bull Finder have all been updated. (more…)
Thomas Hogan runs a suckler to store enterprise on 55ha just outside Nenagh Co. Tipperary. The herd consists of 55 suckler cows, 12 replacement heifers and 27 steers. Steers are sold in the mart at around 18 months along with surplus heifers. The store system works well for Thomas as it allows him to run cows and calves in the one group. (more…)
We are delighted to announce the 3rd annual FBD Breeding Competition in conjunction with FBD, ICBF and Sheep Ireland. While it is disappointing that we cannot host a physical awards ceremony this year, we will be posting about the 2020 competition over the coming weeks. (more…)
We are close to the end of another year of farming which sees me having completed 10 years of farming so far and without doubt we would have to be happy with 10 years of progress. Having completed my paper & presentation for the British Cattle Breeders conference in January it certainly was an eye opener. Genetic gain on farm has been phenomenal. Certainly, I could have made some decisions quicker I also made a few mistakes, but we are still ahead of our target for 2020. (more…)
Actual on-farm cow liveweights have replaced the use of cull cow weights as a predictor of liveweight. This has resulted in a maintenance sub-index that better reflects maintenance feed intake costs. (more…)