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.
1. Beguin
The top bull for replacement valve in spring 2018 is Beguin (SA4059), supplied by NCBC. Image shows a daughter bred by Bernard Hunt from Sligo.
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 will breed milky replacements with good calving ability.
2. Ulsan (SA2189)
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.
3. Castleview Gazelle (ZAG)
Third on ICBF replacement list is Castleview Gazelle (ZAG) NCBC. Castleview Gazelle will cross well with most cow types, he’s a well-muscled bull that will produce a high-quality weanling along with a good suckler cow. He has been a highly sought after bull, with over 27,000 animals born from him in Ireland.
4. Du Stordeur Flanear (SFL)
Du Stordeur Flanear (SFL) is fourth on the ICBF replacement list. Easiest calving Belgium Blue bull 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.
5.Vaillant RSV (VTA)
Fifth 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, there has been huge satisfaction among breeders with progeny.
It is important to note when selecting a bull that reliability percentage is observed before choosing one for breeding. The majority of the bulls on this list are not as of yet fully proven.
Selecting stock for breeding replacements
Replacement stock should always come from the best cows in the herd and be sired by a bull with strong material traits. The aim should be to have these replacements calving early in the breeding season, to allow them to be that bit heavier at bulling.
Read more
Beef AI sires: top cow-makers and weanling producers
Beef breeding: timing, feeding and scanning tips to maximise pregnancy rates
BVD vaccination, synchronising heifers and finishing cattle indoors
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.
1. Beguin
The top bull for replacement valve in spring 2018 is Beguin (SA4059), supplied by NCBC. Image shows a daughter bred by Bernard Hunt from Sligo.
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 will breed milky replacements with good calving ability.
2. Ulsan (SA2189)
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.
3. Castleview Gazelle (ZAG)
Third on ICBF replacement list is Castleview Gazelle (ZAG) NCBC. Castleview Gazelle will cross well with most cow types, he’s a well-muscled bull that will produce a high-quality weanling along with a good suckler cow. He has been a highly sought after bull, with over 27,000 animals born from him in Ireland.
4. Du Stordeur Flanear (SFL)
Du Stordeur Flanear (SFL) is fourth on the ICBF replacement list. Easiest calving Belgium Blue bull 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.
5.Vaillant RSV (VTA)
Fifth 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, there has been huge satisfaction among breeders with progeny.
It is important to note when selecting a bull that reliability percentage is observed before choosing one for breeding. The majority of the bulls on this list are not as of yet fully proven.
Selecting stock for breeding replacements
Replacement stock should always come from the best cows in the herd and be sired by a bull with strong material traits. The aim should be to have these replacements calving early in the breeding season, to allow them to be that bit heavier at bulling.
Read more
Beef AI sires: top cow-makers and weanling producers
Beef breeding: timing, feeding and scanning tips to maximise pregnancy rates
BVD vaccination, synchronising heifers and finishing cattle indoors
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