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HomeBeef‘I think the future of pedigree breeding is very bright’ – Finnegan
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‘I think the future of pedigree breeding is very bright’ – Finnegan

That’s Farming, speaks to Bartley Finnegan, pedigree farmer and founder of Elite Pedigree Genetics.

Barley Finnegan founded Elite Pedigree Genetics in Dungannon, County Tyrone, in 2013 to “bring the best of pedigree genetics to breeders in Ireland”.

The Dungannon native farms Charolais and Limousin pedigree cattle under the Battleford prefix, with his two sons, Bartley and Jake.

Elite Pedigree Genetics, which now has a base in Silverstream, County Monaghan, specialise in supplying semen to pedigree cattle breeders.

The AI company purchases bulls, which venture to a collection centre and remain there for up to six months, before being sold.

“We began with about 6-7 bulls. We got semen imported from England from the top Limousin bulls at the time. Things just developed and grew from there.” Bartley told That’s Farming.

“We cover all of Ireland, from Donegal to Cork to Antrim. We have sold semen to Australia, Canada and, South Africa. 99% of the business is based on semen for the Irish market.”

“Initially, I was getting 90% of the straws from the UK. Now we have moved on to starting to buy a few bulls. We buy a few bulls from the UK. However, the majority of the bulls we are buying recently are from southern Ireland.”

“There are no other AI companies, solely specialising in pedigree breeder bulls. They also sell semen to the suckler farmer. We do not. We sell semen to pedigree breeders and keep top bulls.”

Elite Pedigree Genetics, AI company, suckler farming, sucklers

Bulls 

Finnegan opted for this route because he has “zero intention of competing” with large AI companies and prefers to keep to his “own niche market”.

Currently, Elite Pedigree Genetics focus on four breeds, selling semen from Limousin, Charolais, Simmental, and Aberdeen Angus bulls. Bartley revealed that the company’s most popular bulls are Limousins, with 17 different sires in stock.

To meet this demand, Bartley purchased three new Limousin bulls in recent weeks that will become available within two months.

There are eight Charolais bulls to choose from, with a new bull coming on stream in the coming weeks. Besides, three Simmental bulls and six Aberdeen Angus bulls also form part of its varied selection.

Saltire Impressive, Simmental, suckler farming, sucklers, AI bull, Simmental catlte
Saltire Impressive
Customer base

Bartley revealed that 90% of Elite Pedigree Genetics’ business is in Ireland, both north and south.

The company sells semen to the UK and European countries and has previously sold semen to Australia, South Africa and Canada.

“Most of these exports have been for Limousin and Charolais semen.”

“Our customer base is mainly pedigree breeders with a few top-end commercial farmers buying semen and a lot of the commercial show calf breeders buying semen from our high muscled, wide, stylish Limousin bulls.”

“Over the last few years, a lot of the high-priced show winning cattle are out of our bulls at both pedigree and commercial shows and sales. Progeny from our range of Angus bulls are topping sales.”

Rawburn Black Hawk, Elite Pedigree Genetics, AI bull
Rawburn Black Hawk

Desirable traits

According to Finnegan, Elite Pedigree Genetics aim for the best genetics available from every breed and never accept bulls “that are just good enough or bulls with just good figures”.

Semen retails from €30 to €350/unit delivered to a farm or a breeder’s local AI centre.

“The more expensive straws are from bulls that are very scarce and much more exclusive, sought-after, bulls, but the majority are in the €30 to €80 price range and prices include delivery for orders as little as three or four straws.”

“We prioritise quality, width, muscle. length, calving ease, and style, with figures much less important than quality.”

“Although, we still have several bulls with super figures such as our Angus bulls, which the majority have 5-star terminal and replacement figures and under 2% calving.”

“Our Limousin bulls are mostly 5-star terminal and easy calving under 4%. Our range of Charolais bulls rate mostly 5-stars for replacement, 5-star terminal, under 7% calving and very high in milk.”

Mornity Nero, Charolais bull, Charolais AI,
Mornity Nero
Future 

Bartley wishes to expand Elite Pedigree Genetics’ reach as its customer base grows weekly.

“I think the future of pedigree breeding is very bright. There are a lot of people giving off about it, saying there are dispersal sales.”

“However, for every dispersal sale of a 50-cow herd, there are probably 15-20 new breeders coming in. I see it as a very consistent market that is not going to disappear. It is all about quality.”

“You hear about a really good sale; it is when the sale is full of quality cattle. As the quality of the pedigree cattle in Ireland improves, there are more and more UK customers coming to Ireland to buy cattle, which helps the price as well,” Bartley concluded.

Further information

For more information about Elite Pedigree Genetics, see its website.

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Additional editing by Catherina Cunnane

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