New UK Charolais bull hits Irish AI

Last May, Bartley Finnegan of AI company Elite Pedigree Genetics (EPG) purchased Mornity Nero from the Mornity in Scotland.

The then 15-month-old bull combines some of the best genetics available in terms of combining easy calving while not compromising on growth and style.

Having been successfully jumped and AI code obtained, Nero is now available to Irish breeders at €40 per straw from EPG.

Multiple show champion

Sired by the 14,000gns Westcarse Houdini, Nero’s dam line includes the renowned 30,000gns Dingle Hofmeister and multiple show champion Newhouse Count.

Houdini, now with nearly 100 registered calves was purchased by the Mornity and Elgin herds and has since proven himself as an exceptional breeder with 14 sons selling to average over £7,000 to a top of 10,000gns.

Originally chosen for his easy calving high growth rate lines, his breedplan figures have remained in the top percentages despite been used across seven different herds.

This sire is producing modern easy calving Charolais bulls

Speaking on the purchase, new owner Bartley Finnegan said: “I have been watching Westcarse Houdini sons being sold at society sales and liked what I saw.

"This sire is producing modern easy calving Charolais bulls, which is what my customers are looking for. Nero himself is a long clean bull with super length of loin, a must for factory kill weights and weanling weights.

"He has a good-sized frame with good bone and lots of natural width, along with a good turn of end while not being extremely muscled.”

Best bull

Robert Young of the Mornity herd said: “Mornity Nero is the best bull bred by the herd to date, boasting great length, shape, confirmation and power together with great breedplan figures. His dam Mornity Brechin was one of the best breeders in the herd.”

EPG has now been open three years, offering a wide range of bulls across all breeds with the aim being to provide the best genetics available.

While this generally meant importing semen from proven sires, Nero stands as the first stud bull purchased by the company.

The new bull offers a complete outcross for most Irish breeders and comes with a calving index of only 5.8%.

Closing off Mr Finnegan said: “Calving ease needs to be at the forefront of every breeding programme.

"The impressive thing about Nero is he has the genetics to bring calving ease while also not sacrificing growth and style. Traits which are getting increasingly hard found in today’s climate. I have no doubt he will be a great asset to my business.”