The ICBF autumn active bull list includes the best sires ranked on EBI

The EBI details of the 75 bulls on the list are based on the August 2015 genetic evaluations computed by ICBF.

Semen from all of the bulls has been indicated as being available by the various AI companies, hence the term “active” bull list.

The criteria for making the list are as follows: EBIs with reliabilities greater than or equal to 35% and sires also need to have calving difficulty evaluations with reliabilities greater than or equal to 50%. For a sire to be included on the active bull list, his calving evaluation must be based on actual calving survey data either in Ireland or in the country of origin of the bull, and not just genomic information.

It is important to note the source of a bull’s proof when choosing sires from the list. A bull may have received his proof based on data recorded on his own daughter’s performance or he may be a genomically selected bull.

Genomically selected means that the bull’s DNA profile has been analysed and the figures that you see are based on those findings. Farmers should pay particular attention to the reliability figure.

In order to be able to balance the risk of using a sire with low reliability together with the tremendous genetic gains that could be achieved, farmers are strongly urged to use a minimum of five AI bulls from the list.

What bulls should I pick from the list?

There are many answers to this question, but four simple tips that will help you pick the right sires for your herd are the following:

1. Identify which EBI Sub–Indices your herd is low in.

2. Pick an initial panel of sires that are strong in the Sub–Indices that your herd is weak in.

3. Refine your list taking other factors into account eg Calving ease, Inbreeding, Price, Availability.

4. Finalise your team by picking at least 5 sires to use in equal amounts across your herd.

Read more

Focus on winter AI and BDGP