NCBC was delighted to be recently visited by it’s friends from ‘CREA Infosura’, Lincoln, Argentina!

It was a great pleasure to host the discussion group of 15 dairy farmers and advisors that work in the central region of Argentina on grass-based production systems, following similar targets as the Irish industry. They were looking for tools and strategies that allow them to optimize their production systems. They travelled to Ireland to see first hand how our genetics perform in the field for Irish farmers and the feedback has been that they found it to be a very valuable experience for them.

The group visited the following herds:

• Michael Ryan, Deansgrove, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
• Charlie Carroll, Clonmel, Co.Tipperary
• John Aherne, Glanmire, Co. Cork
• Tadgh Dunne, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork

Farmer – Michael Ryan speaking to the group.

Cows in Michael Ryan’s herd with the Rock of Cashel in the background.

Cows in Charlie Carrolls herd.

Dairy-Beef sired Angus calves in Charlie Carrolls herd.

Charlie Carroll demonstrating how the automatic calf feeder works.

Donagh Berry presenting to the group in Teagasc Moorepark.

 

They visited Teagasc Moorepark where they received excellent technical talks from Donagh Berry and his team. They also got a great overview of the genetic evaluation developments that are ongoing in Ireland from Kevin Downing of ICBF.

Huge thanks are due to the host farmers who gave of their time and facilities to accommodate this trip.

Many thanks also to Sean Hayes (Progressive Genetics Breeding Advisor), Gordon Swanton (Munster Bovine Breeding Advisor) and Tom Baker (Munster Bovine Commercial Manager) for their assistance prior to and during the trip. Many thanks also to all the presenters from Teagasc Grange, Teagasc Moorepark and ICBF for their presentations to the group.

NCBC (The National Cattle Breeding Centre) operates the Dairy & Beef breeding programmes for Ireland’s largest AI Organisations - Progressive Genetics & Munster Bovine.