MED AI Cattle Improvement Scheme 2018

MED AI Cattle Improvement Scheme 2018 

Year Sixteen of the MED Partnership Group AI Scheme  was launched on Tuesday night, January 09^th 2018 at the MED Offices, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon. Participation in the 2018 AI Scheme is limited to 18 Farms. Places were allocated this year on the basis of commitment to the goals of the scheme.  Applications for the scheme are now closed. Farmers from both sides of the border are eligible to participate in this scheme. To date the MED Partnership has invested over €99,500 in the AI Cattle Improvement Scheme.

The criteria for the 2018 Scheme are unchanged from 2017.

MED AI Cattle Improvement Scheme 2017 

Year Fifteen of the MED Partnership Group AI Scheme  was launched on Tuesday night, January 26^th 2017 at the MED Offices, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon. Participation in the 2017 AI Scheme is limited to 19 Farms. Places were allocated this year on the basis of commitment to the goals of the scheme.  Applications for the scheme are now closed. Farmers from both sides of the border are eligible to participate in this scheme. To date the MED Partnership has invested over €95,000 in the AI Cattle Improvement Scheme.

The criteria for the 2017 Scheme are unchanged from 2016.

MED AI Cattle Improvement Scheme 2015 

Year thirteen of the MED Partnership Group AI Scheme  was launched on Tuesday night, January 27^th 2015 at the MED Offices, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon. Participation in the 2015 AI Scheme is limited to 17 Farms. Places were allocated this year on the basis of commitment to the goals of the scheme. Applications for the scheme are now closed. Farmers from both sides of the border are eligible to participate in this scheme. MED Partnership Group would like to express their appreciation to the sponsor of this initiative in 2015, namely,  Progressive Genetics.

AI Launch – Information Meeting, Tuesday, January 27^th – 8.30pm

1. It was decided that the 17 who replied to Expression of Interest Letter would be accepted as the participants for 2015

2. It was decided to hold an Information/Launch meeting for the 17 participating members of the AI Scheme on Tuesday, 27^th of January at 8.30pm.

3. The Fee for AI Scheme 2015 membership is €100.00 (€50.00 MED Membership plus €50.00 AI Scheme membership). AI members will also qualify for FBD discount of 17.5%.

4. All 17 members can choose their own sires but must provide the names of bulls they wish to use.

5. 70% – 30% Maternal to Terminal ratio will apply to sires. Both Maternal (70%) and Terminal (30% Max.) are included. The preferred option is 100% maternal.

6. All sires eligible for grant must have Minimum 4 maternal stars (preferably 5 stars).

7.  Breed Societies will be approached for further sponsorship

8.  Payment of grant is not contingent on supporting the Autumn Cattle Sale.

9. €120 will be the maximum grant – (12 cows @ €10 subsidy each)

10. The importance of cow selection to breed better replacement heifers was emphasized

11.  The MED Autumn Cattle Sale will only take place at the request of  a majority of the 17 AI Participants

2014 AI Quality Cattle Improvement Scheme

Year twelve of the MED Partnership Group AI Scheme  was launched on Thursday night, February 27^th 2014 at the MED Offices, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon. Participation in the 2014 AI Scheme is limited to 13 Farms. Places were allocated this year on the basis of commitment to the goals of the scheme. Applications for the scheme are now closed. Farmers from both sides of the border are eligible to participate in this scheme. MED Partnership Group would like to express their appreciation to the sponsor of this initiative in 2014, namely, The Irish Charolais Cattle Society, The Irish Simmental Cattle Society, and Progressive Genetics.

The Sires Available for 2014 are as Follows

Charolais Society:

50 Straws in Total – – – 4 Straws per Participant (2 of each)

25 Straws “Uni” –  Imported French semen with good maternal indexes in France

Calving Ease 92 – Growth 107 – Muscle 112 – Skeletal 109 – Weaning Index + % Reliability 112/94% – Milk Ability & % Reliability 96 / 70% – Maternal Index & % Reliability 105 / 85%

25 straws of “Vosgien” –  Imported French semen with good maternal indexes in France

Calving Ease 108 – Growth 107 – Muscle 109 – Skeletal 110 – Weaning Index + % Reliability 116 / 95% – Calving Ability of Daughters 96 – Milk Ability 105 – Maternal Index & % Reliability 117 / 81%

Progressive Genetics – Sires 2014

52 Straws in Total – – – 4 Straws per Participant

Gino – OGN – (Limousin)

Gino is bred for maternal traits. His dam Sibile is a fantastic bull breeder. Four of her sons sold at the Prestige in France. She is abundant in milk and is highly fertile with great calving ability. The bull himself has great temperament, and is a very long wide animal.

Curaheen Apostle – APZ – (Simmental)

Curaheen Apostle is a proven easy calver at 5.30% 98% rel. His replacement value stands at 157 euro. Will produce good R grade cows with plenty of milk. Easy fleshed cattle to make the ideal cow.

Ardlea Dan – ADX – (Limousin)

ADX consistently breeding super cattle, shape size and easy fleshed. Ardlea Dan’s sire is Vivaldi. Vivaldi daughters in France are very milky cows. Very good skeletal development. Great top lines, and docility.

We are awaiting confirmation of sires from the Simmental Society

AI and MED Members Please Note: Copies of the Progressive Genetics Beef Sires catalogue 2013/2014 are available by calling into the MED Office.

Participants should contact  Keith Mahon or Patrick Lipsett and make arrangements for straw uptake.