ICBF and the program partners, have recently launched the exciting new Gene Ireland panel of high index beef bulls for Autumn 2022. The Gene Ireland breeding program is a joint initiative between pedigree breeders, commercial farmers, breed societies, AI Companies, DAFM & ICBF. The primary aim of the program is to robustly progeny test high index beef bulls which will produce profitable cows for the suckler beef industry. The minimum criteria for a bull to be included on the panel is 5 Stars across breed on either the Replacement or Terminal Index.
Also included is a section dedicated to high Terminal Index bulls which are selected to produce profitable animals for sale or slaughter. The minimum criteria for a bull to be included in the Terminal section is 5 Stars across breed on the Terminal Index.
The Benefits:
- Access to the highest index new beef bulls in Irish AI at only €5 per straw (technician charges may apply).
- Straws will be delivered to your own tank or the technician of your choosing.
- Potential to sell some progeny back to ICBF for future performance testing at the Tully Beef Test Centre.
- Progress towards meeting the requirements of suckler schemes.
- Freedom to choose the bulls and breeds that you require from the catalogue.
Breeds that are currently available on the panel include Charolais, Limousin and Simmental. Additional breeds may be added to the programme at a later stage.
To order your straws please call ICBF on 045 521573.
Replacement Panel
| Code | Breed | Name | Bred By | Repl Idx | Nominated By |
| CH8112 | CH | Messmer | Alain Cocandeau, France. | €182 | Gene Ireland |
| SI8520 | SI | Portroyal Mr Bull PP | John A. Hession, Co Mayo. | €163 | NCBC |
| LM8286 | LM | Rutland Reuben | Noel Ruttledge, Co Mayo. | €153 | NCBC |
| SI8121 | SI | Epik Agrochyt P | Vláďa Chytka, Czech Republic. | €151 | Gene Ireland |
| LM8109 | LM | Percy | Lepa de Montmorillon, France. | €150 | Gene Ireland |
| LM7599 | LM | Moebius | Gaec Domaine Laurens, France. | €130 | Gene Ireland |
| LM8259 | LM | Keltic Rembrandt | Mac Murphy, Co Meath | €129 | NCBC |
One of the highest Replacement Index bulls that has become available on the panel this Autumn is the NCBC owned Irish bred Simmental Portroyal Mr Bull PP (SI8520). Bred in Co Mayo by John Hession this polled bull ranks very highly on the Replacement Index combined with a Beef Cow Calving Difficulty of 1%.
Terminal Panel
| Code | Breed | Name | Bred By | Term Idx | Nominated By |
| CH8541 | CH | Cattanview Supreme | Tim Higgins, Co Leitrim. | €185 | Dovea |
| CH8262 | CH | Grangwood Royal Oak | Jeremiah O’Keeffe, Co Limerick | €165 | NCBC |
| LM7716 | LM | Birchpark Rufus | Owen Flannery, Co Clare. | €159 | Dovea |
| CH8535 | CH | Tullyvillage Shane | William Flynn, Co Galway. | €158 | Dovea |
| CH8334 | CH | Corbaun Rory | Liam Keogh, Co Longford | €149 | NCBC |
| CH8571 | CH | Recif | Thierry Frecon, France | €135 | NCBC |
One of the standout terminal sires on this years panel is the Dovea owned Tullyvillage Shane (CH8535). Bred by William Flynn in Co Galway this Carrickbrack Hutch son has CF52 on the dams side and is sure to catch the eye of commercial suckler farmers looking to avail of a sire with +42.7 kg on Carcass Weight.
To order your straws please call ICBF on 045 521573.
