When you may need to switch to Desktop Version
Have you ever wondered why some features are available on your laptop/PC but not on your smartphone or tablet device e.g. Sire Advice? (more…)
Updated Gestation Length figures
Gestation length refers to the number of days that the fetus is developing between insemination and calving. ICBF have recently updated the gestation length figures based on insemination and calving data recorded over the past number of years. These updated figures will result in more accurate expected calving dates for animals going forward. (more…)
Applying for an AI Code
In line with EU Animal Breeding Regulations bulls to be used for purebred breeding must be sire and dam parentage verified before an AI code is issued. (more…)
Frequently Asked Questions – Genotyping
On a recent social media post, we asked our followers to send on any questions they had around genotyping. Below is a brief synopsis of the main questions asked and their corresponding answers.
FAQ: How is a bull’s ‘Milk’ figure calculated?
There are 4 factors that will both contribute to what ‘Milk’ index figure your bull starts out with and how it changes over time. 1. Back pedigree, 2. Genotype, 3. Foreign Data 4. Irish Data. (more…)
Breeding for low heritability traits can achieve real results
A common misconception is that breeding should not be pursued as a method for improving health or fertility traits due to their low heritability. Low heritability does not mean the trait cannot be improved. Low heritability simply signifies that much more records are required to achieve the same rate of genetic gain as high heritability trait (e.g., carcass weight or milk yield). (more…)
Age of First Calving – How low can you go?
A beef heifer’s natural ability to mature quickly, show heat and go in calf will undoubtedly influence how profitable she will be in an Irish Suckler herd. This natural ability (or not) to be able to calve down at 24 months of age, amongst other things, is influenced by genetics.
Calving Difficulty Ready Reckoner (All Breeds)
The 2020 Genetic Evaluations seen a lot of change for farmers. One such change was to the calving evaluations. (more…)
What is Genomics?
You may already be familiar with the term Genomics as part of the Beef, Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) or just from using genomics as a helpful management tool, but what exactly is genomics? (more…)