Dovea Genetics shares the vision of robust, healthy, trouble-free and productive cows that last over five lactations, and it offers cow families to do just that.

The aim of a good breeding programme is to drive genetic improvement by selecting sires bred from balanced cows backed by great cow families with a proven track record for solids and longevity. 

Robustness is a multi-factorial trait that relies on the ability of a cow to be able to perform to the farmer's productive and functional expectations while coping with life’s everyday challenges.

Differences in the ability of cows to manage trade-offs between functions such as milk solids, production, body condition score (BCS), reproductive success and overall health can be down to the difference between individual intake capacity of various cows or daughters of a bull.

By choosing high genetic merit (EBI) sires from well-balanced cows with natural strength, farmers can improve the overall longevity and performance of their herd.

The March 2023 Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) evaluation saw the debut of several new Dovea Genetics sires onto the ICBF Active Bull List.

In fact, four out of 10 of the top sires are now by Dovea Genetics.

Olcastletown Casper (FR7752) is number three on the ICBF list with an EBI of €387. Casper is a component improver boasting +0.32% fat and +0.19% protein with 29kg milk solids, and a proven easy calving with 3.97% calving difficulty on heifers. Available for Sexed Ultra 4 M.

Barrackhill Reuben (FR7791) joined the top 10 active bull list with an EBI of €368. Reuben is a very unique bull that is high-EBI and 35% Friesian and is an easy maintenance (€17) sire that improves strength and components. Reuben’s dam is now in her 9th lactation.

Ballintossig Misterman (FR7749) also joins the list, having 35kg milk solids, +0.22% protein and +0.28% fat. This is an overall strength improver proven easy calving. Available Sexed Ultra 4M

Below are Dovea Genetics highest-index dairy sires based on the most recent ICBF March evaluation.

Scorduff Neart (FR4788) is the highest EBI bull on the ICBF proven list with a milk sub-index over €100, an EBI of €289 with reliability of 86%.

Neart brings 35kg of milk solids, +0.23% protein and +0.35% fat.

FR4785 Glenaboy Ronald also brings 29kg milk solids +0.19% protein and +0.27% fat and is available sexed suitable for heifers and a red gene carrier. Sexed Ultra 4M available.

Dovea’s highest EBI daughter-proven Pure Friesian is FR4756 Jubilaris 11 transmitting +15kg milk solids and +0.14% fat and +0.15% protein. Very correct daughters with a natural will to milk. Sexed Ultra 4M available.

Dovea Genetics is the exclusive distributor of Norwegian Red semen in Ireland. Crossbreeding using Norwegian Red brings many benefits to overall health, fertility and longevity and also beef characteristics.

NR5881 Roen is a daughter-proven sire with an EBI of €287. Roen daughters are small to medium in size and very correct and very easy calving suitable for heifers. Roen is also available sexed.

Dovea Genetics offers free sire advice prior to breeding season 2023. Its process is as follows and can be carried out for all herds.

Analysis: Establish your herd’s current performance and genetic position;
Select the cows you wish to breed replacements from: Assist you in selecting the best females that you wish to breed replacements from or more importantly, select cows you do not wish to breed from and assign beef straws to these cows;
Select your bull team: It will help choose a bull team, that are higher for the traits that you wish to improve in your herd from a type of cow that you would like working with;
Match the bull to the cow: It will pick the best bull for your cow based on your criteria

Contact Marty Hayes at [email protected] or by calling; 0504 21755 to avail of this free service.

Dovea Genetics is home to the Ireland’s best dairy-beef programme. The programme contains the top sires in many breeds across the active bull list.

It is recommended to utilise higher carcass sires early in the breeding season prior to switching to shorter gestation sires. Free sire advice is available on beef sires from leading experts.

Dovea Genetics can be contacted by phone on; +353 (0) 504-21755 or by email at; [email protected] for enquiries or to receive a hard copy of the breeding directories.

Alternatively, visit www.doveagenetics.ie for more information.