20 herds earn new title of IHFA 'master breeders'

The master breeder award is a new initiative that recognises herds performing outstandingly on a number of key metrics related to production, sustainability and longevity. 

The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) has awarded the title of 'master breeders' to 20 herds for 2023.

Every year herds compete in local and national competitions, with some herds topping the lists for economic breeding index (EBI), production, or classification. 

In addition, the master breeder award is a new initiative that recognises herds performing strongly on a number of key metrics related to production, sustainability and longevity. 

Performance

Herds recognised as 2023 master breeders ranged from 26 to 381 cows, across a range of production systems.

Cows with 'outstanding performance' earn points for the herd, and the best herd is the one with the highest average points. The vast majority of points come from actual cow performance as well as a small percentage from the genetic level, the IHFA explained.

Production points are awarded for kg solids (the top five were all over 727 with the top herd on 921), percentage solids (top five were all over 8.36 with the top herd on 8.56), milk value (top five on average milk value per day of over four with top herd on 5.4) and genetics for production, which form the EBI.

In terms of longevity, the IHFA said that classification is very important, and the relationship between higher classification scores and longevity can be seen. The number of lactations and EBI health sub-index are also included.

The top five herds on average lactation number were all over four with the top herd on 4.8, the IHFA said, with the top five herds on average classification all over 86 with the top herd on 89.4.

Sustainability points are also awarded for calving interval (top five were all under 366 with the top herd on 360), somatic cell count (top five all under 75 with the top herd on 47), fertility sub-index (top five all over 113 with the top on 122) and beef sub-index (top five all over -3 with the top on five).

Master breeders list

The 2023 IHFA master breeders for 2023 are: 

• Robert Shannon, Ballydehob, Co Cork;
• Timothy Fitzgerald, Ballymaddock, Co Laois; 
• Andrew Cronin, Ballymartin, Co Cork;
• Patrick Flynn, Coolmohan, Co Cork;
• James Murray, Derrinsallow, Co Offaly;
• Colin Walsh, Fairview, Co Dublin;
• Daniel M O'Leary, Glenny, Co Cork;
• John Stone, Hallstone, Co Westmeath;
• Ian Robert McKeague, Inishowen, Co Donegal;
• Trevor Dudley, Kilsunny, Co Tipperary;
• John J O'Sullivan, Lisduff, Co Cork;
• Gerard Caffrey, Millstream, Co Meath;
• John O'Callaghan, Mountfarna, Co Cork;
• Michael Kelly, Poundbridge, Co Limerick;
• Henry O'Keeffe, Radney, Co Cork;
• Kevin Flynn, Reary, Co Laois;
• Noel O'Donovan, Ringleader, Co Cork;
• Michael J Hayes, Rossagh, Co Cork;
• Eddie O'Flynn, Ryefarm, Co Cork,
• Michael Murphy, Skenagh, Co Cork.