Suckler farmers urged to use ICBF AI bulls

Suckler farmers are being asked to use ICBF’s Gene Ireland AI bulls in their herds so that a full progeny test can be carried out on them.

For herds where artificial insemination is a viable option, the bulls are available at a reduced price of €5 per straw, offering farmers significant genetic improvement, and using them is one of the qualifying tasks for BTAP participants.

The deal also includes free weighing of progeny by an ICBF weighing technician; and herds will be eligible to have animals bought at a premium price for the Tully bull test centre.

All bulls are of excellent quality, with very high indices, sourced from pedigree beef herds signed up to an elite breeding initiative with ICBF called the Maternal Bull Breeder Programme.

The Gene Ireland programme is primarily focused on improving maternal traits by testing high replacement index bulls, and is a response to the sharp decline in maternal traits (milk and fertility) over the last 15-20 years in the national suckler herd.

For more information or to order straws, see the www.icbf.com website or call ICBF at 1850-600900.