Delivering Better Dairy Beef Series
Week 1: What role do genetics play in producing better beef animals from the dairy herd?
Week 2: Discover how calf rearing, performance recording and genetics on the ABP Demo Farm are helping to deliver better dairy beef performance
Week 3: How the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) is helping farmers make more profitable calf purchasing decisions
Week 6: Following the Journey of Gene Ireland Calves
The Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme continues to showcase how genetics can support more profitable and sustainable dairy beef systems. To demonstrate this in practice, three calves purchased through the programme and reared on the ABP demonstration farm will be followed throughout their lives, from calf stage right through to finishing.
Over the coming months, regular updates will chart their progress through key milestones including weaning, grazing, weight gain and finishing performance. The project will provide a practical look at how an animal’s genetics, represented by its Commercial Beef Value (CBV), relate to actual on-farm performance.
The Calves
The group consists of two Angus heifers and one Hereford bull calf, all born within a short time of one another but carrying different levels of genetic merit.
Angus Heifer 3372
- Born: 3 February
- CBV: €228
This heifer has the highest CBV of the group, reflecting strong genetic potential for profitability.
Angus Heifer 2999
- Born: 9 February
- CBV: €113
Although very similar in age and appearance to heifer 3372, this animal has a considerably lower CBV, making the pair an interesting comparison as they develop.
Hereford Bull Calf
- Born: 14 February
- CBV: €143
This Hereford bull calf completes the group and will also be monitored throughout his lifetime to see how his performance matches his genetic predictions.
Why Are We Following These Calves?
One of the most common questions from farmers is whether genetic indexes translate into real-world performance. This project aims to answer that question by tracking animals managed under the same system from an early age through to finishing.
The two Angus heifers are of particular interest. Despite being born only days apart and appearing very similar as young calves, they differ substantially in CBV. By comparing their performance over time, farmers will gain valuable insight into how genetics can influence growth, efficiency and profitability.
What Will Be Measured?
Throughout the series, updates will include:
- Weight gain and growth rates
- Performance at weaning
- Grazing and lifetime performance
- Finishing performance
- Carcass weight and carcass quality
- The relationship between CBV and actual performance
Follow Their Journey
The Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme has already demonstrated the value of using high-genetic-merit beef sires within dairy herds. By following these three calves from purchase to finish, this series will provide farmers with a unique opportunity to see how genetics perform in practice and whether a higher CBV translates into improved lifetime performance.
Watch the video below to meet the calves and begin following their journey through the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme.
Week 5: Using CBV to Buy Better Calves
The fifth video in the Delivering Better Dairy Beef series focuses on the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) and how it can support farmers when buying calves. As calf prices remain strong and farmers often have limited time to make purchasing decisions, CBV provides a practical way to compare animals and identify dairy beef calves with stronger beef potential.
In this episode, Stephen Connolly, Agri Sustainability Manager with ABP, explains how CBV is being used on the ABP Demo Farm and why it can be a valuable decision-support tool for beef farmers. The calves on the demo farm have strong CBV figures, reflecting the use of high-ranking young bulls through the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme.
For dairy farmers, producing calves with stronger beef merit can help improve calf quality and marketability. Farmers buying calves with higher CBV figures can increase confidence that the animals have the genetic potential to perform well through to slaughter.
What the ABP Data Shows
To demonstrate the value of CBV in a commercial setting, ICBF analysed data from Angus-sired steers slaughtered across seven ABP sites in the first six months of 2025. The analysis compared cattle ranked in the top third for CBV with those ranked in the bottom third.
The bottom third of Angus-sired steers had an average CBV of €73, while the top third had an average CBV of €138. The cattle in the top third for CBV were finished, on average, 27 days younger, achieved half a grade better conformation and delivered an additional 21kg carcass weight. At the time, this difference was worth approximately €170 per animal.
These results highlight the real-world impact that genetics can have on beef performance. Across a large dataset, covering different farms and production systems, higher CBV cattle delivered improved carcass performance and greater value at slaughter.
Using CBV When Buying Calves
At the mart, farmers often have only a short window to assess calves before making a decision. Alongside visual assessment, the CBV displayed on the mart board can provide an additional piece of information to support better purchasing decisions.
As Stephen explains, a calf with a CBV greater than €130 to €140 can indicate stronger beef potential. While CBV should not replace good stockmanship or visual assessment, it can help farmers compare calves more confidently and reduce the risk of buying animals with lower performance potential.
The same principle applies when buying calves directly from a dairy farm. Farmers should ask about the CBV of the calves, the beef sub-index of the bull used and the type of cows the calves are coming from. Where a suitable beef sire has been used on good-quality dairy cows, the resulting calves are more likely to have stronger CBV figures and better beef potential.
A Practical Tool for Better Decisions
CBV is still a relatively new tool, but it is designed to help farmers make more informed decisions when buying animals for beef production. By combining CBV with visual assessment and good buying practice, farmers can better identify calves with the potential to deliver stronger performance, improved carcass value and greater profitability.
As highlighted throughout the Delivering Better Dairy Beef series, genetics, data and collaboration all play an important role in improving outcomes across the dairy-beef sector. CBV brings this information together in a practical format that farmers can use when making calf purchasing decisions.
Watch Episode 5 below to hear Stephen Connolly explain how CBV can help farmers identify better-quality calves and make more informed buying decisions.
Week 4: The partnerships helping to drive genetic progress across the dairy-beef sector
The success of the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme is often measured through genetics, data and animal performance. However, behind every progeny-tested sire, performance record and genetic evaluation is something equally important collaboration.
The Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme relies on the participation of dairy farmers across the country who are willing to use young, unproven sires and contribute valuable information that helps identify the genetics capable of delivering better commercial outcomes for the future.
This level of cooperation is what has allowed the programme to become one of the largest dairy-beef progeny testing initiatives in Europe.
A Shared Commitment to Genetic Improvement
Improving genetics is a long-term process. Unlike many on-farm decisions, the impact of breeding choices can take several years to fully emerge. Identifying the sires that can deliver stronger growth, improved carcass performance and better profitability requires large volumes of performance data collected across many farms and production systems.
That is why partnerships between farmers, breeding organisations and industry stakeholders are so important.
The Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme provides an opportunity to test and evaluate the next generation of beef genetics under commercial conditions. The information generated helps build the genetic evaluations that support breeding decisions across both the dairy and beef sectors.
Providing Confidence for Dairy Farmers
Participating in a progeny testing programme requires commitment from dairy farmers. In many cases, breeding decisions are made long before calves are born, and confidence in the system is essential.
Long-standing relationships between participating dairy farmers and programme partners have helped provide that confidence. Through clear communication and ongoing collaboration, farmers can play an active role in developing the genetics that will influence future generations of dairy-beef cattle.
These partnerships have also helped ensure a consistent supply of healthy, high-quality calves, creating a strong foundation for the collection of meaningful performance data.
The Importance of Calf Quality
Good genetics can only reach their full potential when animals receive the right start.
Calf health and calf quality remain central to the success of the programme. Healthy calves not only perform better throughout their lifetime, but also provide more reliable information for genetic evaluations.
The ongoing commitment of dairy farmers to producing well-managed, healthy calves continues to play an important role in the programme’s ability to generate valuable insights for the industry.
Better Outcomes Through Collaboration
Over the past decade, collaboration between dairy farmers, beef farmers, ICBF, ABP, AI companies and pedigree breeders has helped create a programme that delivers value throughout the supply chain.
The result is a growing body of information that supports better breeding decisions, more informed calf purchasing decisions and continued genetic improvement across the dairy-beef sector.
As this week’s episode highlights, the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme is about more than genetics alone. It demonstrates what can be achieved when industry partners work together towards a common goal: delivering better dairy beef.
Watch Episode 4 below to hear how long-term partnerships with dairy farmers continue to support the success of the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme.
Week 3: How the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) is helping farmers make more profitable calf purchasing decisions
The third video in our Delivering Better Dairy Beef series focuses on the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) and the important role genetics can play when purchasing calves. Using performance data collected on the ABP Demo Farm, the episode highlights how calves with higher CBV rankings can deliver better performance, improved carcass results and greater profitability.
The Commercial Beef Value (CBV) is a genetic tool that helps predict the future beef performance and profitability potential of a calf. By using the CBV when buying calves, farmers can make more informed purchasing decisions and identify animals most likely to deliver strong returns at slaughter.
In this episode, Stephen Connolly, Agri Sustainability Manager with ABP, explains how the performance differences between high and low CBV cattle have become evident through the extensive data collected on the ABP Demo Farm.
For Angus-sired cattle, animals ranked in the top third for CBV were finished, on average, eight days younger and produced 25kg more carcass weight than animals in the bottom third. The combination of heavier carcasses and fewer days on farm resulted in a benefit worth close to €200 per animal.
A similar trend was observed in Hereford-sired cattle. Animals in the top third for CBV were finished approximately four days younger, achieved 24kg more carcass weight and delivered an additional carcass grade compared to cattle in the bottom third. Once again, the overall financial advantage was close to €200 per animal.
These results demonstrate the real-world impact that genetics can have on commercial beef production. Improvements in carcass weight, carcass quality and age at finish can all contribute to greater efficiency and profitability for beef farmers.
With calf prices remaining strong, selecting calves with a high CBV can help reduce risk and improve the likelihood of achieving better performance throughout the animal’s lifetime. CBV provides farmers with a practical and reliable tool to compare calves and identify those with the highest potential to meet market specifications and deliver stronger financial returns.
As highlighted in this episode, the Commercial Beef Value is more than just a figure on a screen. It is a tool built on real performance data that can help farmers make better calf purchasing decisions and maximise profitability from calf to carcass.
Find Out More About CBV
For more information on the Commercial Beef Value (CBV), how it is calculated and how it can be used to compare calves, click here.
Watch Episode 3 below to learn how the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) is helping farmers identify higher-performing calves and achieve better beef production results.
Week 2: Discover how calf rearing, performance recording and genetics on the ABP Demo Farm are helping to deliver better dairy beef performance
The second video in our Delivering Better Dairy Beef series takes viewers behind the scenes of the ABP Demo Farm, showcasing the calf rearing system used on the farm and the important role early-life management plays in achieving strong animal performance. The campaign focuses on how genetics, data and collaboration are helping to drive progress across the dairy-beef sector.
In this episode, Matthew Quinn, Farm Manager on the ABP Demo Farm, explains how calves are managed and monitored from the moment they arrive on the farm, ensuring they receive the best possible start while generating valuable performance data to support future breeding decisions.
Calves arrive on the farm at just a few weeks of age and are housed in clean, well-bedded pens with access to fresh water and meal. Each calf is weighed on arrival and grouped according to size, allowing performance to be monitored from the outset. Feeding routines are carefully managed, with calves fed at the same time each day to support consistency and animal health.
Maintaining high standards of calf health and welfare is a key priority. Calves follow a vaccination programme, have regular access to fresh bedding and clean water, and benefit from ongoing investment in housing facilities, including improved ventilation and the installation of fans to enhance calf comfort.
The farm rears calves from a range of beef sires and genetic backgrounds, with performance monitored throughout their lifetime. Animals are weighed monthly, allowing the farm team to compare sire performance and generate the data needed to identify the genetics delivering the strongest commercial results.
This data is shared with ICBF and plays an important role in the genetic evaluations that underpin the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme. By linking animal performance back to sire information, the programme can identify the genetics delivering the strongest commercial performance and help farmers make more informed breeding decisions. The ABP Demo Farm plays a key role in collecting the performance records used to support these genetic evaluations.
As highlighted throughout the series, strong calf management and accurate performance recording go hand in hand with genetics. Together, they help identify the animals delivering the best results and contribute to continued improvement across the dairy-beef sector.
Watch video 2 of the series as we follow along the calf rearing process on the ABP Demo Farm.
Week 1: What role do genetics play in producing better beef animals from the dairy herd?
Over the coming weeks, ICBF and ABP will explore this question through a new nine-part video series highlighting the impact of the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme, the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) and the collaboration helping to drive progress across the Irish dairy-beef sector.
Established in 2015, the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme was developed to identify beef genetics that can deliver benefits throughout the supply chain. The aim is to help dairy farmers produce calves with strong beef potential while also supporting improved performance, profitability and sustainability for beef farmers and processors.
Since its launch, the programme has grown significantly, with more than 600 dairy farms participating and over 885,000 calves born from progeny-tested bulls. Through collaboration between ICBF, ABP, farmers, AI companies and pedigree breeders, the programme has become one of the largest dairy-beef progeny testing initiatives in Europe.
At the heart of the programme is data. Calves are monitored throughout their lives to collect information on growth, health, feed efficiency, carcass performance and environmental traits. This data helps identify the genetics delivering the best results and supports tools such as the Commercial Beef Value (CBV), allowing farmers to make more informed breeding and purchasing decisions.
Throughout this series, we’ll explore:
- How the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme works
- The role of the ABP Demo Farm
- The value of the Commercial Beef Value (CBV)
- The importance of sire selection and genetic evaluations
- Partnerships between dairy and beef farmers
- The wider impact of genetics across the beef industry
- Initiatives supporting the next generation of beef farmers
Episode 1: Why the Dairy Beef Gene Ireland Programme Matters
In the first episode, Stephen Connolly, Agri Sustainability Manager with ABP, explains why the programme was established, how it works and the impact it has delivered over the past decade.
The episode highlights the challenge the programme was designed to solve, the importance of collaboration across the supply chain and how genetics and data are helping to improve dairy-beef profitability, efficiency and sustainability.Watch Episode 1 below and follow the series as we explore how better breeding decisions today are helping to deliver better beef tomorrow.