Last year marked 50 years of the Holstein Friesian herdbook. The association was founded in 1965 and was then known as the Irish Friesian Breeders Association (IFBA). The IFBA was affiliated to the British Friesian Cattle society (BFCS) which later became known as Holstein UK and Ireland (HUKI).

In 1965, Friesians accounted for 28% of the total cow population. The average milk yield per cow supplied to the creameries was 454 gallons. This subsequently increased to 722 gallons per cow in officially recorded cow schemes for that year.

However, it was the introduction of artificial insemination that greatly facilitated an increase in the use of Friesian genetics. The overall satisfaction with the breed brought increased popularity. The usage in AI grew from a base of 6.4% in 1950 to 36.6 % in 1970. Consequently, 1970 became a landmark year when the number of Friesian type cows surpassed the number of Shorthorn type cows.

There were 18,000 registered pure Friesian animals in 1970. Today, this figure stands at 286,000 Holstein Friesian cattle.

But the development of the Holstein breed wasn’t without stringent regulations, breed prejudices and controls of the day. The steely determination of the early adopters of the breed has to be admired. Their relentless contribution made it the dominant dairy breed on Irish farms today.

The introduction of the Holstein in the mid 1980s and the pursuit of single trait selection through the RBI index caused some to doubt the Holstein Friesian in terms of fertility.

In 2002, the IHFA and the ICBF came together to form a single database and since then, they have been actively working for the betterment of the Irish dairy industry.

The graphs relate to animals registered in the IHFA herdbook and to milk recorded in 2014. The key genetic trends are going in the right direction. EBI, milk and the fertility sub-indices are showing strong upward curves since the mid 2000s.

The genetic trend for milk (kg) over the same period has been upwards, albeit at a much slower pace than would have been the case in the 1990s. However, the genetic trend for milk solids has been much stronger.

Fertility trends have seen a massive turnaround. The genetic trend for calving interval has been improving significantly over the last 10 years, as has the genetic trend for survival.

The net result is that animals born in 2020 will have fertility performance improved to 1990 levels, but cows will be producing 60% more milk solids (Berry et al).

Genomic technology will continue to offer IHFA, ICBF, and the wider industry significant opportunities over the coming years. IHFA has shown great leadership in routinely genotyping all pedigree registered males over the past couple of years, which has significantly helped to source the most profitable bulls for Irish dairy farmers.

More pedigree news

Limousin president

The Irish Limousin Cattle Society has appointed Dan O’Mahony, Ballygarvan, Co Cork, as its president for the next three years. Dan has been a member of the society since 1991 and runs the successful Ballygarvan stud Limousin herd. Apart from much success at shows and sales, Dan is also an accomplished judge of the breed, officiating at many events. He also held the office of both vice president and treasurer of the ILCS along with being involved with the Cork Limousin club. His appointment coincides with the society hosting the International Limousin Congress in August 2016.

Blues secretary

Melvin Masterson, Rathnure, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, is the new secretary of the Irish Belgian Blue Society. He has taken over the role from Mary Duggan, Thurles, Co Tipperary, who held the position for a long number of years.

In pictures: Skibbereen fatstock show and sale

The supreme champion at Skibbereen fatstock show and sale with John Cullinane, Ballineen, Co. Cork. The champion weighed 710kg and sold for €3,000.

The reserve champion at the fatstock show and sale in Skibbereen with David Hegarty, Bandon. Weighing 790kg, the reserve champion sold for €2,820.