Thomas Lyons 
The Irish Rare Breeds Society (IRBS) Chair, Matthew English-Hayden, has called for the scientific research and proof of the commercial potential of indigenous breeds. He believes that farmers need access to data on indigenous breeds to make commercially sound and evidence-based decisions. Recently, English-Hayden hosted a farm walk on his farm in Co. Carlow, where he keeps a herd of 100 Kerry and Droimeann-crossed dairy cows. These cows graze on mixed and multi-species swards. According to the rare breed farmer, indigenous breeds seem to have extraordinary good health, very good fertility, no feed problems, and longevity which appears to be very good. The cows eat about three-quarters of the amount of grass that an average herd would and produce three-quarters of the amount of milk solids. English-Hayden believes that there is a 1:1 correlation between the size and weight of the animal and commercial cows.
Earlier this year, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Fingal County Council recommended the establishment of a genetic conservation centre for native breeds. According to research from the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Minnesota, crossbreeding can lead to higher efficiency. Dr. Les Hansen of the department spoke about the 10-year research programme into the north American Holstein dairy herd at the recent three-day IRBS 2023 conference in Co. Carlow. Dr. Hansen discussed the benefits of three-breed rotational crossing (ProCross) to promote hybrid vigour in terms of cow fertility, birth mortality, health, and longevity. Dr. Hansen believes that hybrid vigour is most effective when using breeds that are least related, with native indigenous breeds typically fitting this scenario very well as the national dairy herd is predominately of European and North American Holstein breeding lines.
English-Hayden has highlighted that the inbreeding co-efficiency of Holstein calves born in the US this year is over 10%, and this figure is rising exponentially. However, there are examples of crossbreeding native Irish breeds and Holstein Friesian cows on a number of Irish farms. The product manager of seed company DLF, Dr. Thomas Moloney, presented the advances on multi low-emission swards and their capacity for increased animal performance, greater water filtration, and reduced nitrous oxide emissions.
In conclusion, the commercial potential of indigenous breeds needs to be scientifically researched and proven. Farmers need access to data on indigenous breeds to make commercially sound and evidence-based decisions. Crossbreeding can lead to higher efficiency, and hybrid vigour is most effective when using breeds that are least related. The establishment of a genetic conservation centre for native breeds has been recommended. There are examples of crossbreeding native Irish breeds and Holstein Friesian cows on a number of Irish farms, and multi low-emission swards have the capacity for increased animal performance, greater water filtration, and reduced nitrous oxide emissions.
