There are over 580 herds signed-up to the Dairy Gene Ireland Programme taking a total of 21,465 straws to date. There are still a limited number of Dairy Gene Ireland straws available to order.
Straws are available in packs of 25 (5 bulls x 5 straws) 35(5 bulls x 7 straws) and 50 (5 bulls x 10 straws). The cost is only €8.50 per straw. Straws are delivered to participants through sales reps and technicians. Should a farmer wish to know what straws have been allocated in advance of running the Sire Advice or to order straws please Call ICBF on 023 8820452. Farmers can also complete a Sign-up Form and return to Gene Ireland, ICBF, Highfield House, Bandon, Co. Cork.
The breed packs and the EBI details available this year are as follows:
*The Multi-breed pack is a combination of Jerseys, HF x JE crossbreds, Norwegian and HF bulls for comparative purposes.
The dairy breeding programme is a key component of the Irish dairy industry with the aim of providing farmers with new genetics and increase the rate of genetic gain in EBI. The programme is designed so that each participant will receive straws from a selection of High EBI young sires.
These young bulls are sourced from Irish farms and are all from high genetic merit sires and dams. Click Here to view an explanation video on the role of Dairy G€N€ IR€LAND Programme and the benefits of the programme nationally.