ICBF will be present at the Irish Farmer’s Journal Dairy Day next Tuesday 19th November (Stand D16) where we will be taking general queries and discussing our full suite of services with a key focus on selective dry cow therapy, recording dry off dates & the benefits of dairy genomics.
The drying off process is a very important process that takes place at the end of lactation. By recording a cows’ dry off date you are completing her lactation on your HerdPlus reports. In doing so her lactation details will be available for pedigree certificates, sales catalogues and your Annual Report. We will be available for live demo on the day around how to use HerdPlus when considering SDCT & recording dry off dates.
The DNA is the building block of life and therefore DNA in combination with management (e.g., feeding) that determines the performance of the animal such as how much milk it will yield, its susceptibility to health and its fertility performance. The DNA of an individual remains the same throughout life. Therefore, by taking a hair sample from a newborn calf, its DNA profile can be determined and this can be used to predict the subsequent performance of the individual. Because DNA is transmitted from one generation to the next, the DNA of a calf can also be used to predict the expected performance of its progeny. We will be on hand if you have any questions around this service and explain ‘How Genomics can have a 2:1 return on investment’ for farmers.
Be sure to say hello if you are in Punchestown for the event next Tuesday November 19th.