Buying in to catch up with the EBI high-flyers

The performance levels of the top Economic Breeding Index (EBI) dairy herds in Ireland far surpass that of the average herd, producing 500 litres more milk and 53kg more milk solids per cow

EBI is a single-figure profit index aimed at helping farmers identify the most profitable bulls and cows for breeding dairy herd replacements. It includes information on seven sub-indices related to profitable milk production.

The huge potential for genetic improvement in low-EBI dairy herds, by buying replacement heifers from the country's high-EBI herds, has been highlighted by Irish Cattle Breeding Federation chief executive Sean Coughlan.

During a recent Teagasc Dairy Edge podcast, he said it was quite a daunting task for low-EBI herds trying to build up EBI themselves to catch up with the top herds. He said some farmers were engaging with high-EBI herds with a view to purchasing some of their surplus heifers.