There are 3 factors that will both contribute to what ‘Calving Difficulty %’ index figure your bull starts out with and also how it changes over time.1.Back Pedigree, 2.Genotype, 3. Calving Data (more…)
This is the clear trend from analysis of the ICBF ‘5 Year Trend’ reports which were sent to 24,500 herds participating in BDGP earlier this spring. The report focuses on 6 key performance indicators (KPI’s) for a suckler herd’s genetic and reproductive performance. (more…)
Brendan Hinchion spoke to ICBF recently about his farm history, the system, his breeding policy and his use of dairy genomics. Brendan started farming when he was 18, developed the farm by putting in roadways, paddocks, a water system & cubicles. (more…)
The latest addition to the ICBF presentations page is a presentation entitled ‘The Irish Suckler Cow in 2030’ It was presented by Dr. Andrew Cromie at the Irish Farmer’s Journal Beef Summit which took place this week at the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe, Co Galway. (more…)
Wed 15th May is the deadline to return DNA samples (tissue/hair) to the lab in order to make the 22nd July evaluation. This evaluation is of particular importance to farmers participating in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP). (more…)
Elwin (EWN) was a Belgian Blue Bull that stood in the Progressive Genetics AI Centre in Kilcorney, Enfield, Co.Meath (more…)
“Why can’t ICBF just leave the stars alone? If he’s 5 a star bull – just leave him that way”. Of course, it is frustrating when a bull’s figures drop and especially if you are a pedigree breeder (more…)
Ans: The Gene Pool is only reduced if the 5 Star bulls are all inter-related.
Two tools that a breed could exploit more to prevent the gene pool getting tight are ‘Gene Ireland’ and ‘Genomics’. (more…)
Orders are continuing for the Gene Ireland Beef Spring 2019 bulls. 230 herds have now signed up taking a total of 3,050 straws so far. (more…)