What’s in the AI Tank?

Peter Ging BALLYCLIDER Herd Port Laois, Co. Laois

What Bulls are in the Tank at the moment?

Westcoast Yamaska, Westcoast Rocknroll, Siemers

Astd Pyler, Siemers Have it All, GGA Gordon, Siemers Rengd Parfect, S-S-I PR Renegade, Cookiecutter Logistics

Do you use sexed semen?

Yes all maiden heifers are served with sexed semen. I use it on a few milkers but not too many.

What is important for you when selecting bulls?

Production, kilos of solids and type.

Describe your ideal cow:

I like cows that look well and produce a lot of milk. I look for good conformation, nothing too tall but not too small either. Feet and legs would be something I like to keep as best as I possibly can, if a cow can’t walk she can’t do much, I feel it is the most important trait, along with a good udder.

Francis Fitzgerald

GORTFADDA Herd Adare, Co.Limerick

What Bulls are you currently using?

I generally buy in stock bulls with the Churchclara herd in County Kilkenny and we take semen off them from there. Some names of the bulls I have been using and have been performing well are: Castledale Explorer, Castledale Ruben, Castledale Olympia, Nerewater Launcher, Nerewater Jackpot Alex and Mountain Martell.

What Traits do you look for when selecting Bulls?

I always look for bulls with a dam of VG88 points or higher. I feel a strong, correct cow family with protein around 3.4% and above suits my grass based system best.

Describe your ideal cow:

An ideal cow to me would be one that stands on an admirable set of feet and legs, has exceptional body capacity, medium in size and has copious amounts of milk. Volume of milk is so important when we are paid per kgs of milk sold.

Seamus Knox BALLYGOWN Herd Pilltown,

Co.Kilkenny

What Bulls are in the Tank at the moment?

Pine-Tree Lawson Larry both sexed & conventionial, Glenrea Zak (FR7986), Tobermartin Francis (FR7923)

Sexed, Hanrahan Magnifico Conventional, Coileain

Hotshot Sexed

Is sexed semen something you use if so what %?

We have never used sexed semen before. This is our first time using it. We have a group of heifers syncronising at the moment so we are going to give sexed a try. We got on well with syncronising last year so we are hoping the sexed semen will go well for us.

What are the principal traits you look for in bull selection?

I like to follow good EBI, at least +100kg of milk, 30-40kg of solids and that they are from a reliable, pedigree family

Describe your ideal cow:

A medium sized cow, capable of producing at least 600kg solids and 1750-2000 gallons milk with at least 3.7% Protein and 4.2% Fat.

Timmy Hegarty BALLYDOOGAN Herd Moate, Co.Westmeath

What Bulls are in the Tank at the moment?

Westcoast Yamaska, Westcoast Perseus, Tobermartin Francis, Progenesis Wimbledon, Prehen Ringrose, RiVal-Re Rager-Red-ET, S-S-I Pr Renegade-ET, Siemers Rengd Parfect-ET, Sandy Valley R Conway ET, PlainKnoll Renegad Trooper, Welcome Silver Griff, Siemers Lambda Haniko ET, Farnear Delta Lambda ET, EDG Delta B52ET, Pine-Tree Lawson Larry, Koepon Oh Ryder Red

Do you use sexed semen?

Yes, we used sexed semen across the board this autum and will continue to do so until spring, we will then go back to conventional

What Traits do you look for when selecting Bulls?

I would always look for medium stature, plus in rump and chest width, a good plus for milk and solids, balance, fertility, production and confirmation.

Describe your ideal cow: Trouble free cows, with decent kgs of milk solids, a cow that looks after itself well and holds good body condition. I also like a cow to look good on the eye.