Peter Hynes – “It has been our best breeding season yet”

It’s the time of year when planning is crucial on farm. Decisions we make now will have the greatest impact on farm performance for 2021. We had a super scanning result with only 7% of cows empty and 100% of heifers in calf, with 68% in calf to first service. 145 animals will calve in February 2021. It has been our best breeding season yet. Synchronising the heifers on fixed time AI really works for us and it also shows the in-calf rate for first lactation cows. I feel it just allows them time to recover after calving to prepare for the breeding season. (more…)

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BDGP 31st Oct Deadline Passes

Saturday 31st Oct was the final target date for herds participating in BDGP I (2015-2020). Herds were required to have the equivalent to 50% of their reference number in genotyped 4 or 5-star females. While the final numbers will not be known until after the 24th November genetic evaluation, the vast majority of the 22,500 participating herds look on course to meet the final 31st Oct 50% target.
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Genomics Service for dairy crossbreds launched

We are pleased to launch the ICBF genomics service for across breed dairy evaluations. The genotype ordering screens has been updated to allow DNA sampling kits for multiple dairy breeds to be ordered online. The ordering menu has also been upgraded which will make it more user friendly to order genotypes, particularly for a group of females. The cost to genotype dairy females as part of a group or individually is now €22. (more…)

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Dairy Gene Ireland programme now in it’s 16th year

Gene Ireland is the name of the national dairy breeding programme in Ireland and it forms an extremely important part of the Dairy Industry. The aim of the programme is to provide dairy farmers with the best genetics through a coordinated progeny test programme. Now in its 16th year, the program has delivered over €200 million to Irish dairy farmers through increased genetic gain. (more…)

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Tuam & Carrigallen Marts selling BDGP Eligible Females Monday 26th

Tuam Mart will have a sale of BDGP eligible females on Monday 26th. The sale starts at 11am.  Carrigallen Mart will have a sale for BDGP eligible females at 7pm Monday 26th with 25 eligible females entered so far. All entries can be viewed on the ICBF Herdplus app. (more…)

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Skibbereen, Roscrea & Gortatlea Marts selling BDGP Eligible Females Friday 23rd

Skibbereen Mart will have a sale of BDGP eligible females tomorrow. The sale starts at 1.30pm.  Roscrea Mart will have a sale for BDGP eligible females at 2pm. Gortatlea Mart will also have a sale of BDGP eligible females with the sale starting at 2pm. All entries can be viewed on the ICBF Herdplus app. (more…)

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