New Breeding Series by Agriland in association with AI Services, Eurogene and LIC
Date Posted: 4th May 2023
Agriland Media Group has launched a new breeding series in association with AI Services, Eurogene, and LIC.
The series consists of farmer-focused videos which cover a number of different systems, offering something for everyone.
It features a Northern Irish farmer operating an autumn-calving pedigree Holstein Friesian herd, an Irish farmer operating a grass-based system using high economic breeding index (EBI) Holstein Friesian cows, and an Irish farmer using Kiwi-cross genetics to produce high levels of milk solids.
Mervyn McRoberts and AI Services
Mervyn McRoberts, who farms near Lisburn in Co. Antrim, milks 135 pedigree Holstein Friesian cows.
He operates an autumn-calving herd with a big focus placed on improving components and longevity in the herd, along with forage quality.
Average production from the herd is 9,622L at 4.39% fat and 3.51% protein which equites to 782kg of milk solids.
Mervyn speaks about the development of his herd over recent years and the role that sexed and beef semen has to play on his farm.
Article and Video: Increasing combined fat and protein by 182kg in 12 years
Article and Video: Using sexed semen to increase components and fertility
Michael Bergin and Eurogene
Michael Bergin milks 100 high-EBI Holstein Friesian cows in a spring-calving system in Co. Kilkenny and has worked with his Eurogene breeding advisor for the past 17 years.
The herd has an average EBI of €228, with a fertility sub-index of €109, a milk sub-index of €55 and a maintenance figure of €12. The current average production of the herd is 7,350L and 600kg of milk solids, with an aim to increase this to 650kg in the coming years.
Michael speaks about sire selection, dairy-beef, sexed semen, and the recent changes to the EBI and nitrates regulations.
Article and Video: Long-term development, not short-term gains
Article and Video: Quality over quantity for dairy-beef
Simon Breen and LIC
Simon Breen farms near Emly in Co. Tipperary and milks a herd of 250 Jersey-cross cows.
Simon started cross-breeding his cows a number of years ago, and believes the cross-breed cow is the most efficient cow for his system
The herd on average produces 503kg of milk solids with an average herd EBI is €206.
Simon speaks about how low-EBI bulls make high-EBI cows, using continental sires on cross-bred cows, and the role of sexed semen on his farm.