IRISH SIRES MAKING A SPLASH

from Spring 2023 IHFA Journal

Cow and bull selection

The home bred bulls produced in Ireland continue to improve year on year. It’s a testament to the great breeding strategies employed on farms and an impressive achievement for any breeder to get a bull to stud. Here we outline a few of the most exciting and popular Irish-bred bulls available currently from a wide array of companies.

HANRAHAN MAGNIFICO FR6966

Magnifico is a high EBI sire bred by Edmond Hanrahan in Mitchelstown. His dam was presented at the IHFA stand at the ploughing and was admired by many as a very correct, fresh cow with a nice udder after 5 lactations. She is classified EX90 with EX91 Udder. She also bred the AI bull Hanrahan Olympus, which is an exceptional achievement for an Irish cow. Her lifetime average is 3.7% protein with a 359 day calving interval. Magnificos proof shows exceptional solids, giving a production index of €114, combined with good fertility. He is easy calving. His conformation profile shows moderate size, shallow udders and good foot angle. His sire is the widely used Pivotal.

Pivotal x Interstice EX90 x Cremin EX90

Supplier: Eurogene

(IG)GLENREA ZAK FR7986

Zak stands out among the highest EBI bulls as he also carries a very strong overall Type score. His EBI over €360 and +0.13% protein are very respectable in that company but it is his +1.5 for udders and +1.2 for feet & legs that catch the eye. When you look at his pedigree we can see where it comes from. His sire is Olympus, a high EBI sire from an EX dam with a solid proof. His dam line is VG85 LWR, EX90 Hubbard and EX93 Frank. The Great granddam is worthy of mention, she was scored EX 8 times, produced for 11 lactations and gave just shy of 7000 kgs fat & protein. Zak carries a very good health index with mastitis and TB resistance figures very strong.

Olympus x LWR x Hubbard

Supplier: Munster / Progressive Genetics

OLCASTLETOWN PHOENIX 1849 FR6268

This Sebastian son is over +1.5 Udders and +1.2 feet & legs. His has a respectable EBI of €273 and a very solid overall package. His pedigree is a little different to many popular bulls so he is sure to fit many breeding programs. His dam is EX90 McCormick with 3.91% protein lifetime and yields to 731 kgs solids in 7 lactations to date. His Grandam is VG86 Keet with 3.98% Protein lifetime in 8 lactations. Olcastletown

Phoenix is bred by Robert & Evelyn Drake, Co. Cork Sebastian x McCormick x Keet

Supplier: Eurogene

(IG)AMBER SANSHO FR8253

Shansho is one of the best high EBI sires on overall type score. He carries a very respectable overall feet and legs score and correct udders combined with +0.20% Protein. This Mo Salah son delivers a strong total package and is backed by a Grade-up cow family. His short teats need to be protected. His dam is a 4th lactation Vincent averaging over 600 kgs solids. The dam line has LHZ, and Crocket Acres Eight.

Mo Salah x Vincent x LHZ

Supplier: Munster/Progressive Genetics

SHANDANGAN

Rex is a Pivotal son with over €100 Production and excellent Health Index. He is a feet & legs improver with shallow udders. His high percentages will make him attractive to many. He achieves a very high Health index thanks to low Mastitis and Lameness figures. His dam is VG88 by the Dutch bull, Mobile. She has 3.82% protein lifetime and yields to 698 kgs solids in her 5 lactations to date. Her dam is an EX90 KOZ with 9 lactations.

Pivotal x Mobile x KOZ Haze

Supplier: Eurogene

(IG)TOBERMARTIN FRANCIS FR7923

Francis is an Irish bred bull with an international pedigree. He was bred in the herd of James Egan in Kerry. The dam is a VG88 Perseus with over 10,000 kgs milk and 4% protein on her second calf. Next dam is VG88 Lisduff Masterpiece from EX92 Hairy Breiz. He carries the Polled gene from his sire, 50% of progeny will be polled. His profile shows moderate size with wide rumps and super udders. Feet & Legs are only average. High production, +0.13% protein and good daughter fertility are his strong points.

Jeronimo x Perseus x Masterpiece

Supplier: Munster/Progressive Genetics

BARRACKHILL

Ruben is an Albert son with really high EBI, driven by fertility, and solid type profile. He is a moderate milk bull with high percentages and good indexes for Carbon, Beef and Management.

His dam is a VG85 KOZ from a British Friesian cow line, she has milked for 9 lactations and averaged 3.7% protein and 4.2% fat. Her Currihevern Rudolph daughter is VG86 with 3.97% protein lifetime and up to 731 kgs solds.