ICBF Releases 2024 Roster of Top Dairy Bulls for Artificial Insemination
Source: The DairyNews
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has unveiled its highly anticipated lineup of the top 75 active dairy bulls for artificial insemination (AI) in Ireland for the year 2024.
Compiled based on the latest genetic evaluations conducted by the ICBF in March 2024, the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) highlights the key traits of these elite bulls crucial for superior breeding outcomes.
Criteria for inclusion on the list are stringent, requiring an EBI reliability of over 35%, a calving difficulty reliability of 70% or higher, and a minimum of 50 Irish calving records.
This year, an impressive 73 bulls hailing from Ireland grace the list, marking a record number of domestically bred bulls showcased on the ICBF's active bull list.
In a departure from earlier years when foreign sires dominated, the current roster reflects a trend towards sourcing sires domestically, with only two bulls originating from New Zealand.
Comprising predominantly Holstein/Friesian bulls along with two jersey crossbred bulls, the list provides comprehensive breeding values and trait information crucial for maximizing profitability in dairy farming.
Notably, all bulls are genotyped and free from genetic defects, ensuring the highest standards of breeding quality.
With EBI values ranging from €375 to €307, the lineup features 69 genomically selected (GS) bulls and four daughter-proven bulls within Ireland, with an additional two boasting foreign daughters.
Over half of the bulls on the list have been sourced through Gene Ireland, underscoring the program's contribution to the country's dairy breeding advancements.
In light of the breeding season, the ICBF emphasizes the importance of diversifying bull usage to mitigate risk and enhance genetic gains. Advising farmers to employ a larger team of bulls and distribute their usage equally across the herd, the ICBF aims to foster a more robust and reliable breeding program.
By leveraging a diverse team of bulls, farmers can mitigate the impact of fluctuations in individual bull performance, ensuring a more stable and effective breeding strategy for dairy replacements and genetic advancement.
Criteria for inclusion on the list are stringent, requiring an EBI reliability of over 35%, a calving difficulty reliability of 70% or higher, and a minimum of 50 Irish calving records.
This year, an impressive 73 bulls hailing from Ireland grace the list, marking a record number of domestically bred bulls showcased on the ICBF's active bull list.
In a departure from earlier years when foreign sires dominated, the current roster reflects a trend towards sourcing sires domestically, with only two bulls originating from New Zealand.
Comprising predominantly Holstein/Friesian bulls along with two jersey crossbred bulls, the list provides comprehensive breeding values and trait information crucial for maximizing profitability in dairy farming.
Notably, all bulls are genotyped and free from genetic defects, ensuring the highest standards of breeding quality.
With EBI values ranging from €375 to €307, the lineup features 69 genomically selected (GS) bulls and four daughter-proven bulls within Ireland, with an additional two boasting foreign daughters.
Over half of the bulls on the list have been sourced through Gene Ireland, underscoring the program's contribution to the country's dairy breeding advancements.
In light of the breeding season, the ICBF emphasizes the importance of diversifying bull usage to mitigate risk and enhance genetic gains. Advising farmers to employ a larger team of bulls and distribute their usage equally across the herd, the ICBF aims to foster a more robust and reliable breeding program.
By leveraging a diverse team of bulls, farmers can mitigate the impact of fluctuations in individual bull performance, ensuring a more stable and effective breeding strategy for dairy replacements and genetic advancement.
