Semen stock safe after outbreak

SUBSTANTIAL reserves of semen in stock are sufficient to meet spring 2011 demand, said sources at the National Cattle Breeding Centre at Enfield, Co Meath, after an outbreak of IBR disease last week led to all affected bulls being quarantined.

NECB chief executive Bernard Eivers confirmed that a number of excellent EBI dairy sires have been removed, including SOK, KOZ, FLT, HRJ, UPH, GVV, NFT, IRP and GMZ — all among the top 42 AI bulls currently available for dairy breeding in Ireland.

High profile beef sires affected include CF85, KIB, FL25, CVV, FIW and AGI.

However, he said sufficient semen of the highest health standard, IBR-free and available to customers this spring, had been collected before the outbreak.