New cattle breeding centre formed

A joint venture decision between the Munster Cattle Breeding Society and Progressive Genetics Ireland to merge their studs and breeding programme has resulted in the development of a new National Cattle Breeding Centre.

The move was welcomed by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan, who launched the centre, which will be based at Enfield, Co Meath, where the bulls will be housed.

AI services and DIY sales of the firms involved are not part of the merger and will continue to be delivered by Dairygold, Kerry, Progressive Genetics and SWS.

Ms Coughlan said the Irish AI industry has up until now been small and fragmented. Commercial pressures have led to increases in costs and a reduction in revenue.

The new structure to be provided by NCBC will deliver economies of scale and structures that will help expand breeding programmes for both dairy and beef breeds.

Ms Coughlan said cattle breeding has become an international business and is increasingly commercially driven. Ultimately, genetic improvement will deliver increased profitability to the farmer producer and quality raw material to the processing and food industry.

Experience in many countries has shown that the most effective way of achieving genetic progress in the national herd is through a comprehensive co-ordinated national breeding programme in which all sections of the cattle breeding industry participate.

The broader industry, including the shareholders in the NCBC, has taken steps to address these commercial realities.