Northern Ireland Dairy Farmers Focus on Improving Milk Components

Dairy farmers in Northern Ireland are concentrating on improving milk components, such as butterfat and protein, as a central part of their breeding programs. This focus comes as a response to recent pressures on milk prices, which have increased the significance of high-value components in securing better returns.

Ivan Minford from Ai Services emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in breeding strategies that enhance milk components. He noted that while improving these components is crucial, it must coincide with achieving higher overall production. This approach aligns with the availability of bulls that can enhance both fat and protein outputs.

The use of sexed semen continues to be a popular strategy on dairy farms in Northern Ireland. Minford explained that sexed semen allows farmers to utilize their best breeding animals for replacements, while also focusing on high-quality beef calves from the remaining herd. This practice supports the financial margins for farmers, given the strong calf and cull cow prices.

The recent launch of Ai Services' 2025/2026 dairy sire catalogue introduced a lineup of Holstein bulls with a strong focus on milk components. Notable among them is Peak Alta Inspire, a bull that ranks within the Top 10 of the latest Holstein UK proof run, offering significant improvements in combined fat and protein outputs. Inspire's availability has increased, providing farmers more opportunities to enhance herd performance.

Another Holstein sire, Peak Alta Thunderbird, has gained attention for its balanced production capabilities and promising pedigree. Ai Services confirmed the broad availability of Thunderbird's semen, facilitating its integration into breeding programs aimed at optimizing milk component yields.