Irish dairy farmers have played a pivotal role in driving genetic progress over the past 25 years. The introduction of the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and the adoption of genomic technology have helped deliver significant improvements in the milk and fertility performance on Irish farms. However, as breeding practices evolve, new challenges are emerging that require a renewed focus on how we safeguard the future of Irish dairy genetics. One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the increase in the widespread use of sexed semen on dairy farms over the last number of years. It has more than doubled in recent years and this upward trend is expected to continue. This is presented in Graph 1. Over 6,000 herds used sexed semen in 2025, while 30% of the total AI serves on dairy cows have been to sexed semen.
The technology has delivered clear benefits at farm level, allowing farmers to produce more replacement heifers and reduce the number of surplus dairy bull calves. However, it also means fewer dairy bull calves are now being born from elite cows, reducing the pool of potential AI sires available for future use. The rate of genetic gain achieved each year is heavily dependent on the size of the population available for selection.
Between 2022 and 2025, the number of dairy male calves born nationally has dropped by 44%. This is shown in Graph 2. Over time, this risk slows the rate of genetic gain at a national level, undermining the progress achieved since the introduction of EBI. Ireland’s genetic progress has been underpinned by access to large numbers of genotyped calves from high EBI cows, allowing for intense selection of elite AI sires
Why Your Top EBI Cows Are Important
Every year, a minimum number of high-genetic-merit male calves must be born to sustain progress. The cows and heifers identified as among the highest EBI animals nationally play an extremely important role in accelerating genetic gain, not just on individual farms but across the entire industry. By using conventional semen on a select group of your highest genetic merit cows, you help ensure a supply of top genetic bulls for farmers to choose from each year. This simple action supports the profitability and sustainability of the national dairy herd into the future. Graph 3 shows the average EBI and the Milk and Fertility Sub Indexes for dairy cows, highlighting the genetic improvements made in the national herd over the last 25 years. The latest analysis shows the rate of gain for the last 5 years for dairy cows is €12.03/year, based on the March 2026 Evaluation.
A Call to Action: Coordinated Breeding for Long-Term Success
Genetic progress cannot be taken for granted. Breeding strategies that work well for individual farms must also be considered in the context of their long-term impact on the national herd. That’s why ICBF and the wider industry is asking farmers to consider using conventional semen on some of their highest EBI cows or heifers this breeding season. Central to this approach is the targeted mating of a proportion of the country’s best cows to nominated elite sires, with the objective of producing the next generation of AI bulls. If you are contacted by an AI company about breeding a potential AI sire, we strongly encourage you to act. Ensuring the availability of high-quality Irish AI bulls is critical to sustaining long term genetic progress in Irish dairy herds
Protecting future genetic gain is a shared responsibility. Farmers and the wider industry must work together to maintain the momentum that has made Ireland a leader in dairy genetics. By taking small, deliberate actions, like using conventional semen on elite cows, you contribute directly to the ongoing success of Irish dairy breeding.
Key Take-Home Messages
- Ireland’s dairy breeding success has been built on strong genetic selection, genomics, and large numbers of elite calves, driving sustained gains in EBI and on farm performance.
- The rapid uptake of sexed semen, while delivering clear benefits to farmers, is reducing the number of elite dairy bull calves available for future AI selection.
- Genetic progress cannot be taken for granted; fewer elite bull calves reduce selection pressure and risks slowing national genetic gain.
- Collaboration between farmers, AI companies, Teagasc and ICBF will be central to safeguarding long‑term genetic improvement.
- Protecting future genetic gain ensures Irish dairy remains profitable and sustainable into the future.