Welcome
Munster Bovine is Ireland’s largest AI service provider. Our roots trace back to Dr. J.J. R. Nagle who pioneered artificial insemination in Ireland in the 1940’s
Today Munster’s base of operations stands in the very same location in Ballyvorisheen, Mallow, Co. Cork, where it all began.
Even though the breeding world has changed a lot since that time, the fundamentals remain the same embracing cutting edge technology, a strong motivated team, on farm application and the best genetics still remain at the core of Munster Bovine today. Our reputation has been built on consistently providing the kind of superior genetics, related products, services and support that give today’s farmers a competitive edge on the world stage.
We provide a top rate professional service to herd owners.
Meet our trusted shareholders
Munster Bovine Group is 100% farmer owned through its co-op shareholders.
Breeding Programme Overview
Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics are Ireland's largest providers of AI services.
In 2005, both Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics established the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) as a joint venture. NCBC’s task is to run the studs and oversee operations within Ireland’s largest Dairy, Dairy Beef and Beef breeding programmes.
This unique ownership model ensures that the best quality and highest genetic merit semen is produced for the exclusive use of Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics. Ireland Genetics, the wholly owned international division, sells and distributes this quality product internationally.
Through infrastructure, knowledge, and technology, this highly successful breeding programme delivers a line-up of independently proven superior sires to ensure the demands of today’s farmers are met in an efficient and profitable manner.
NCBC has an enviable track record of high calf vitality, with high value and saleable calves delivered consistently. This is delivered through a dedication to evidence-based research and data analytics, with best-in-class technical expertise that work across a broad selection of farming systems.
Beef Breeding Programme
The National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) runs the largest beef programme in Ireland, for Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics domestically and Ireland Genetics (IG) Internationally.
The beef programme has two elements:
(i) Terminal which delivers proven bulls for profitable weanling and finishing systems
(ii) Maternal which delivers proven bulls to breed replacements for the suckler herd
Terminal Programme
Superior genomically tested sires are selected from performance recorded herds. One thousand doses of each bull is used the first year. Only sires with a high level of field fertility and acceptable level of calving ease are used in year two. Their progeny are performance
recorded on farm where weight gain, muscle development docility and functionality are assessed. 15-20 progeny are finished in Tully Performance Test Centre where performance, feed efficiency and methane production are recorded on live animals and meat eating quality is assessed at slaughter.
Carcass weight, conformation and fat cover are recorded on all progeny at slaughter.
The superior proven terminal sires excel in calving ease, docility, performance at both weaning and finishing stage, have superior carcass traits and early age at slaughter.
Maternal Programme
Superior genomically tested sires are selected from performance recorded herds. One thousand doses of each bull is used the first year, only sires with a high level of field fertility and acceptable level of calving ease are used in year two. In addition to the traits measured for the terminal programme, daughters fertility , calving ability and milk production are assessed.
The superior proven maternal sires have daughters with superior docility, fertility, calving ability and milk production. They wean superior heavier weanlings, last longer in the herd and have superior calving intervals. Daughters of NCBC proven maternal sires are highly profitable females.
Dairy Beef Breeding Programme
The National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) runs the largest beef on dairy programme (BOD) in Ireland, for Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics domestically and Ireland Genetics (IG) Internationally. NCBC runs a specialised beef on dairy testing programme, the focus is profitability for both the dairy farmer and beef finisher, sustainability and animal welfare. The NCBC beef on dairy programme has a two-fold goal in line with our policy of supporting and promoting circular farming:
To identify the most suitable beef bull genetics for crossing on the dairy herd with a focus on: Calving Ease, Short gestation, Calf Quality, Calf Vitality, Polledness, Ability to suck and Coat Colour.
Improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of dairy X beef production from grass by identifying sires suitable for crossing on the dairy herd while maximising: Carcass Weight, Carcass Conformation, Early age at slaughter, Feed Efficiency and Meat eating quality.
The Dairy Beef Index (DBI) aids us select sires which deliver high quality beef cattle bred from the dairy herd that are more saleable as calves and profitable at slaughter yet, they have minimal consequences on the calving difficulty or gestation length of the dairy cow. Attention is also paid to the Carbon Sub-Index in line with our goal to produce beef from the dairy herd in the most sustainable way possible.
Selection of Elite Genomic Test Sires
- 11,000 Pedigree Beef Bull Calves Genotype
- Geneticists identify the top 600 with superior genetics for key traits
- Sire Analysts select the best 200 (Based on pedigree & performance)
- 100 of the best selected based visual inspection (Evaluation of conformation,
- temperament, functionality & reproductive soundness)
- 35 selected for high fertility semen (Having passed all health & genetic defect tests)
Testing of Elite Genomic Test Sires
- 35 Bulls Tested through Gene Ireland
- Year 1: Semen used in 100s of herds. Semen is limited until field fertility is confirmed
- Key Data Recorded:
- - Insem. date
- - Calving Difficulty
- - Birth size & weight
- - Calf vigor & any defects
- Our team assess calf quality, saleability @ 3 weeks, ability to suck/ drink, colour & any defects
Identification of Rising Stars
- 25 Best Sires
- Selected based on superior performance for:
- Field Fertility
- Highest Conception Rates (Independently verified by ICBF)
Qualification of Proven Sires
- 20 Sires Selected for Widespread Use
- Superior Field Fertility
- Highest conception rates based on calves born (independently verified by ICBF)
- Calving ease & gestation length (90% + reliability)
- Calf quality, vigour at birth, colour & saleability at 3 weeks
Qualification of Proven Premium Sires
- 10 Bulls Qualify to Proven Premium
- Validated with 100’s of calving and field fertility records. These are the cream of the crop, balanced sires, superior in all commercially important traits with huge farmer satisfaction NCBC has the greatest range of superior proven sires for calving, beef & semen fertility across all breeds.
When making key decisions for your herd for 2025, it is important to distinguish the difference between sires. At a glance, our easy to use sire classification guide helps you understand what you will receive when you chose an NCBC sire. The guide helps you navigate sometimes complex information from genomics, to fertility, to reliability, to performance.
ELITE GENOMIC TEST SIRES
- Top performing balanced test sires with superior genetics
- Superior semen quality approved by expert laboratory team
- High Genomic Beef Sub- Index = High CBV Calves
RISING STARS
- Top performing balanced sires with superior genetics
- Superior semen quality approved by expert laboratory team
- High Genomic Beef Sub Index = High CBV Calves
- Proven for field fertility - independently verified by ICBF
PROVEN SIRES
- Top performing balanced sires with superior genetics
- Superior semen quality approved by expert laboratory team
Proven for field fertility - verified by ICBF.100’s of records (high Rel. %) - Proven for calving ease, gestation length & calf quality
High Beef Sub-Index = High CBV Calves
PROVEN PREMIUM SIRES
In Addition to the Proven Sires traits;
- Cream of the crop, balanced sires, superior in all commercially important traits
- Proven for superior calf quality, saleability & vitality
- Very High Beef Sub-Index = High CBV Calves
- Validated with hundreds of Calving & Field Fertility records
- The most profitable dairy beef sires available
- Unsurpassed peace of mind
Our Sales Team
Our experienced Munster Bovine field sales team is dedicated to bringing the best genetics to each of our farmer customers in Munster and Galway. Get in touch with a member of the team today to discuss your breeding requirements.
Meet the Team
Our sustainable farming services.
Munster Bovine are committed to providing farmers with the best genetics and services to improve productivity and profitability ensuring a sustainable farm business for future generations.
