In pictures: top five replacement index bulls

With the breeding season only around the corner, we take a look at the top five bulls on the ICBF active replacement list and ask the respective AI companies supplying these bulls about the best cow type to breed with, while also getting an update on progeny performance.

The top bull on the replacement index in January 2019 is Beguin (SA4059), supplied by NCBC.

Beguin currently holds the highest replacement value on the ICBF list. He is not yet fully proven in Ireland, but has a good track record in France. Ideally, Beguin would work best with well-muscled stock. He should breed milky replacements with good calving ability. His replacement index currently stands at €253 with a 1.8% calving difficulty. He is +14.5kg for milk.

Ulsan (SA2189) in Dovea Genetics is second-highest on the ICBF replacement index. Reports have been very good from him for calving ease; calves are born with light birth weights and are very vigorous after birth. Ideal bull to breed with better-type heifers and cows, milk is also a big thing in his line. He was used on Tullamore Farm last year and we found him to be easy-calved. Calves were small at the start but at weaning, we were happy with them. His replacement index is €217 and he is 0.9% calving difficulty. He is currently 11.3kg for milk.

Du Stordeur Flanear (SFL) is third on the ICBF replacement list.

He is one of the easiest-calving Belgium Blue bulls in Irish AI with a proven reliability. SFL is 5.10% for calving ease, which is exceptional for the Belgium Blue breed. He holds a high terminal index and produces excellent finishing stock. SFL will work well with plainer-type cows to bring out their quality. He is currently €191 on the replacement index and 5.1% in calving difficulty.

Fourth on the ICBF replacement list is Valliant RSV (VTA) Bova AI.

Vaillant RVS is a highly proven bull in France and the UK. He is easy-calving and suitable for heifers, with pedigree breeders currently happy with his performance. It is important to note when selecting a bull that reliability percentage is observed before selection. His replacement index is €180 and he is currently 2.3% on calving difficulty.

Bivouac is a Charolais bull currently being marketed by Dovea Genetics. His replacement is currently €178, which means he is the highest Charolais bull on the replacement index. He is a short-gestation bull and easy-calving with his current calving difficulty at 4%. He is 5% for daughter calving difficulty, +5kg for milk and -3.5 days on daughter calving interval.