High Reliability, Easy Calving Sires for Suckler Heifers

Dovea Genetics

Below are sires which we at Dovea Genetics have selected to be used on beef heifers. These sires focus on giving farmers the best chance of having a live calf from a heifer that is easily born but they have the added bonus of having quality progeny. Selecting high reliability sires reduces the risk of calving difficulties which is especially important with heifers. Each sire below has a highly reliable easy calving figure which allows us to recommend these bulls with confidence when chosen for use on the correct beef heifers.

Irelands ultimate Limousin Sire, Ewdenvale Ivor (LM2014) is one of Dovea’s standout sires being used on suckler herds across Ireland. Ivor is an extremely versatile bull as he has both a massive replacement and terminal index with both being 5 star. His progeny exhibit length, muscle and style and his daughters are now proving his replacement qualities as they are being noted as making very nice replacements. Ivor produces quality progeny but the highlight of the bull is his calving easy. At only 6% calving difficulty with 99% reliability on beef heifers and only 2.6% calving difficulty on cows he is a perfect choice for beef heifers to minimize risk at calving without compromising on quality.

Next up is one of Irelands most renowned Limousin sires, Elderberry Galahad (EBY). His progeny have featured in many show rings and special sales throughout the country but also not forgetting the exceptional job EBY is doing in commercial herds producing weanlings or taking cattle to stores/finishing. At 6.9% calving difficulty on beef heifers and at 99% reliability and 3.1% on beef cows he is an excellent choice for any herd. EBY is the most renowned sire for use on muscular heifers as his calving easy doesn’t compromise on quality. This trait is backed up by many breeders throughout the country such as the Jalex herd who use EBY and LM2014 on maiden heifers to produce show quality progeny.

Also tried and tested on beef heifers is Red Angus sire Hawkley Red Zepplin (ZEP). ZEP is only 3.2% calving difficulty on beef heifers so he is a very safe sire choice especially if being used on smaller heifers or calving at 24 months old. He is an exceptional Red Angus sire as he is easy calving but his progeny will develop rapidly and grow into big framed cattle that will have exceptional weights for age. ZEP has been a very popular choice for pedigree Red Angus breeders throughout Ireland and has proven very well in commercial herds also.

Another proven easy calving Red Angus choice is Lisduff Red Pepper (AA4303). Red Pepper is an elite sire with excellent calving ease of 5.1% at 94% reliability. Both his terminal and replacement indexes are very well balanced and his is an ideal choice to breed top class suckler replacements that will have natural soft muscling. His progeny develop rapidly and grow into excellent cattle that are finished easily.