How to take a hair Sample Correctly for Genotyping?
Hair Samples should be pulled from the end of the tail. The hair must be clean and dry with the roots…
How to take a Hair Samples for the genotyping process?
When taking hair samples as part of the genotyping process, please take 40-60 root follicles from the tail end of the animal. The root follicles should also be clean and dry. This will prevent hair samples required to be retested again, which would also delay the turnaround time of genomic results. The below images will help herd-owners on how to correctly take hair samples for genotyping. (more…)
The impact of Genomics on Genetic Selection and Gain
Genomic Selection (GS) has made a significant contribution to profitability and sustainability on Irish dairy farms. The technology has transformed the genetic improvement in the national dairy herd and how the Dairy Gene Ireland breeding programme operates. Genomic selection refers to selection decisions based on genomic breeding values. (more…)
Selecting Genomic Bulls or Daughter Proven Bulls
The selection of dairy AI Sires has changed enormously since the implementation of genomic technology in Ireland over 13 years ago. (more…)
New Dairy Heifer Weight Profile Launched
ICBF HerdPlus has added a new profile screen to view recorded liveweights on dairy heifers quickly and easily.
The profile allows dairy farmers to benchmark heifer liveweights against industry target weights for replacement dairy heifers based on age. (more…)
HerdPlus Dairy Calving Statistics 2022
Following the recent release of the HerdPlus Dairy Calving reports, ICBF can report a steady trend in the fertility performance of the national dairy herd. (more…)
Have you received a text message about a sire error in your herd?
First of all, don’t panic, the issues that these text messages relate to are minor and very simple to rectify. There are many reasons why you may have a received a text from us (outlined below).
Making Use of the ICBF Inbreeding Checker
The Inbreeding Checker is breeding application, that can be found under ‘Applications’ in the HerdPlus menu. As the name suggests, the Inbreeding checker allows herd owners to check up to 10 bulls at a time with their cows and heifers. (more…)
7 Simple steps to make Selective Dry Cow Therapy common practice for your herd.
From 28th of January 2022 blanket use of antibiotic dry cow tubes will be prohibited. This regulatory change means that veterinary proof will be required when administering antibiotic treatment.