Knottown Michael tops Gene Ireland list

EARLY results for the Gene Ireland bulls which were introduced in 2013 are very positive with Salers, Simmental and Charolais in the top positions.

These bulls, of which 500 straws each were dispatched in Spring 2014 were the first bulls selected by the Gene Ireland breed committees and are now reaching the >60pc reliability mark for Replacement Index.

Releasing the results of the testing last week, the ICBF stated: “All the indications are that these bulls will produce females that will make profitable suckler cows for commercial farmers and help to drive the national suckler herd forward in terms of genetic gain.”

They are proving to have produced profitable females retained by farmers for breeding and in many cases the calves on farm performance has led to the sires indexes increasing.

These sires have, at this early stage, a lot of key data collected on their progeny such as calving records and weaning weights. These bulls are good examples of how a young bull can reach a high level of reliability quickly via a structured progeny testing programme.

Salers, Knottown Michael (KTM) was bred in Co Wexford by Richard Fortune, Castlebridge.

Lismacrann Damart (LZZ), a Simmental bull was bred by Michael Oliver, Co Mayo.

Another Simmental, Polar Edinson (PPA) was bred by Elizabeth Lynch, Portmagee, Co. Kerry

Charolais bull, Ballywm Henry (YBH) was bred by Louise Quinn, in Co Offaly.