Genetics
Breeding for a Sustainable Future
At Irish Hereford Prime genetics play a central role in delivering more sustainable and profitable beef production. In partnership with Dovea Genetics and the Irish Hereford Breed Society, we’ve established the Irish Hereford Prime Beef Genetics Sustainability Program, focused on identifying elite sires that deliver across calving ease, carcass value and meat quality.
Artificial insemination (AI) allows these bulls to be widely available to farmers, supporting better breeding outcomes across both dairy and beef systems. Ongoing performance recording and real-farm use have strengthened the reliability of the bulls selected. Currently five bulls in our panel are fully proven for calving ease and shorter gestation on dairy cows.
Independent data from the ABP Demo Farm shows the value of selecting genetics with high Commercial Beef Value (CBV): the top third of animals yielded up to €200 more in carcass value with reduced days to slaughter, lowering both cost and carbon emissions.
Our commitment goes beyond data. At events like the Tullamore Show and the National Hereford Calf Show we proudly showcase progeny from top-performing sires, giving the farming community a firsthand look at the impact of thoughtful breeding.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on continuous improvement. We promote balanced, real-world genetics that suit both beef and dairy systems. Technologies like sexed semen, polled genetics and SpermVital offer new opportunities for farmers aiming to breed high-performing cattle on sustainable, grass-based systems.
