New sire-improvement pilot scheme launched by ABP and Aurivo

ABP has unveiled a collaborative effort with Aurivio, a dairy cooperative, to launch a pioneering sire-enhancement pilot program for Aurivio's dairy suppliers. This initiative is a component of ABP's Advantage Beef Programme, designed to underscore the significance of selecting sires with superior genetics for the procurement of calves from dairy herds intended for beef production. For the current year, the pilot program, which has reached its capacity, is providing Aurivio's dairy suppliers with access to beef artificial insemination (AI) straws from sires of high genetic merit. Oisin Lynch, the Advantage Beef Programme Liaison Officer at ABP, will spearhead the project. Lynch shared, "Our collaboration with Aurivio aims to motivate dairy producers towards choosing AI sires of higher genetic quality, thereby producing calves of superior quality that are capable of achieving enhanced beef carcass outcomes. We advocate for greater collaboration between the dairy and beef sectors and are eager to support Aurivio's dairy suppliers moving forward. Opting for bulls of higher genetic quality benefits both dairy and beef producers by supplying beef producers with superior calves and offering dairy producers a more stable market for their calves." These calves will then be acquired by local beef producers and raised for beef within the framework of the Advantage Beef Programme. Sire Selection Process The pilot program selected a total of seven sires that met specific criteria, with the selection tailored to the preferences of the farmers. Additionally, the program is testing two sires, both young bulls distinguished by their exceptional calving and carcass qualities and verified pedigrees. The selection criteria for the sires included: - A minimum beef sub-index of €35 as per the standards of the Advantage Beef Programme; - Traits of easy calving and short gestation to accommodate dairy producers, alongside desirable carcass qualities for beef producers; - A lineage of proven quality. Research conducted on ABP's Demonstration Farm has established a clear connection between the use of sires with higher genetic merit and the improved carcass performance and value for beef producers. Findings from the ABP Demonstration Farm regarding AI Angus sires have demonstrated a price difference of up to €200 per head for the finished progeny from sires of higher genetic merit compared to those of lower beef genetic quality. ABP and Aurivo are looking to expand this initiative in the future to involve more dairy producers. Vincent Griffith, a Farm Profitability Specialist at Aurivo, expressed enthusiasm about the pilot program with ABP, noting, "Choosing beef bulls with high genetic merit that are also characterized by easy calving and short gestation, yet possess strong carcass traits, will advantage both our dairy suppliers and the local beef producers purchasing these calves." Sean Collery, an Aurivo dairy supplier from Ballinacarrow, Co. Sligo, who manages a herd of 70 cows with a high Economic Breeding Index (EBI), has participated in the program and remarked, "This pilot scheme with Aurivo and ABP Food Group is an excellent initiative for connecting dairy farmers with calf-to-beef producers, while also ensuring dairy farmers a reliable outlet for producing higher-quality dairy beef calves." Aurivo dairy suppliers interested in participating in the pilot scheme in future iterations are encouraged to reach out to an Aurivo representative for more information.