After an 84-day finishing period, high replacement index sired bulls – from the Gene Ireland Progeny test centre at Tully, Co. Kildare – achieved an average carcass weight of 352kg at slaughter aged 13-15 months.

The June, July and August-2017 born bulls – 57 in total – had an average kill-out of 57%, with kill-outs ranging from 51% to 61%.

Overall, the animals graded extremely well with one of the bulls grading E; 47 of the bulls fell into the U-grade category and nine bulls graded R. All bulls slaughtered hit the minimum carcass fat specifications of 2+.

The average daily dry matter intake (DMI) for the group was 14.1kg/head ranging from 12.2kg/head to 15.5kg/head. The diet offered during the finishing period consisted of hay and ad-lib concentrates.

The bulls were sired by 22 different high replacement index sires across eight different breeds, including: Aberdeen Angus; Aubrac; Charolais; Limousin; Parthenaise; Saler; Shorthorn; and Simmental.

According to Gene Ireland, orders are continuing for Gene Ireland Beef Winter 2018 bulls. To date, 174 herds have now signed up, taking a total of 2,780 straws.

Details on the bulls available and total straws ordered are detailed below.