Supporting Progress Towards a Fully Genotyped National Herd
The National Genotyping Programme (NGP) continues to go from strength to strength, with Spring 2026 marking the busiest calving season since the programme was first launched in 2023. Strong farmer engagement and increasing adoption of DNA calf registration are driving significant progress towards a fully genotyped national herd.
A further 3,664 herds joined the programme in 2025, bringing the total number of cows in NGP herds to almost 1.1 million. This includes over 790,000 dairy cows and 302,000 suckler cows, reflecting the growing importance of genotyping in improving herd performance and supporting more informed breeding decisions.
Record Sample Volumes During Spring 2026
As of the first week of May 2026, a total of 895,000 samples had been received into the laboratory. During the peak of the calving season, the lab processed 118,000 and 116,000 samples across two consecutive weeks, significantly exceeding last year’s peak of 99,000 samples over the same period.
These record volumes highlight both the scale of the National Genotyping Programme and the strong level of participation from farmers nationwide.
Delivering Real Value on Farm
The benefits of genotyping are clearly evident at farm level. Parentage corrections were identified in approximately 15% of dairy calves and 12% of beef calves, reinforcing the importance of accurate recording from the outset.
By capturing DNA at birth, calves can be matched to the correct sire and dam early, reducing the need for later corrections and avoiding potential issues when animals are sold. This also helps to streamline administrative processes, such as passport updates, and provides greater confidence in animal records.
Access to genomic information is also improving the reliability of breeding values, giving farmers greater clarity when selecting replacements or making breeding decisions. Earlier access to accurate data allows the best animals to be identified sooner, supporting more efficient herd improvement.
Strong Lab Performance Maintained at Scale
Despite the increase in volumes, laboratory performance remained consistent throughout the spring period. Samples continued to be processed efficiently, with testing times averaging four days and the vast majority of samples completed within five days.
Calves were registered at an average of 14.2 days old, representing a slight improvement on 2025. Sample quality also remained very high, with less than 1% of samples recorded as empty or unsuitable and a similarly small proportion returning poor-quality results.
These figures highlight the efficiency and resilience of the system, even when operating at peak capacity.
Faster Results with Rolling Genomic Evaluations
Spring 2026 also saw the introduction of rolling genomic evaluations, ensuring that results were released as soon as they were ready rather than waiting for fixed weekly runs.
Over a 34-day peak period, seven genomic evaluations were published, with results released on average every four to five days. In the busiest weeks, over 90% of calves received genomic results within ten days, with the vast majority available within three weeks.
This faster turnaround ensures that farmers have timely access to genomic information, allowing them to act quickly when making breeding and management decisions.
Growing Use of CBV in Calf Sales
The impact of genotyping is increasingly visible in the marketplace. Throughout the spring, approximately half of all calves sold in marts had a Commercial Beef Value (CBV) available, with this figure rising to 56% during peak weeks.
This reflects growing confidence among both buyers and sellers in using CBV to assess the finishing potential of calves. The availability of this information is helping to support more informed purchasing decisions and greater transparency in the market.
No Delay to Calf Sales from NGP Herds
Importantly, participation in the National Genotyping Programme has not led to delays in getting calves to market. Calves from NGP herds were sold at a similar age to those from non-NGP herds throughout the spring.
While small differences were observed in some of the early weeks of the season, this gap narrowed as the season progressed, with less than a day’s difference during peak trading periods. This demonstrates that DNA calf registration can be successfully integrated into existing farm systems without impacting normal farming practices.
Focus on Improving Sample Delivery
Although laboratory processing times remained strong, some variation was seen in how long samples took to reach the lab. This was primarily linked to postal delivery timelines rather than lab capacity.
With over 75,000 envelopes delivered to the DNA lab so far this year, ICBF continues to work closely with An Post to improve delivery consistency and explore alternative options to ensure samples reach the lab as quickly as possible.
Supporting a Fully Genotyped National Herd
The continued success of the National Genotyping Programme reflects strong collaboration between farmers, industry partners, and stakeholders. By integrating DNA sampling into calf registration, the NGP is delivering more accurate data, improving breeding decisions, and increasing confidence across the supply chain.
As participation continues to grow, the programme is playing a key role in supporting the sustainability, efficiency, and global competitiveness of Ireland’s beef and dairy sectors, while moving closer to the goal of a fully genotyped national herd.