Watch - Gene Ireland Progeny Test Centre
Irish Farmers Journal Adam Woods recently caught up with Dr. Stephen Conroy during Virtual Beef Week at the Gene Ireland Progeny Test Centre in Tully to discuss just what is recorded on site including feed intake, methane and meat quality data.
Don’t forget to record dry-off dates and treatments for cows calving this Autumn!
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.
Watch: Dairy Genomics - The Challenges & Changes
ICBF's Kevin Downing is joined by Professor Donagh Berry, head of quantitative genetics at Teagasc and Dr. Ross Evans who manages the genetics team within ICBF to discuss some of the challenges and changes coming around dairy genomics.
August 2020 Genetic Evaluations Now Live
The August 2020 evaluation figures are now available for all dairy and beef animals. The ICBF Animal Search, Active Bull Lists and Stock Bull Finder have all been updated.
Department of Ag extends BDGP genomic evaluation deadline
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has agreed to allow the November 2020 evaluation be included for the purposes of BDGP eligibility. Originally, the September evaluation was to be the final one before the 31st Oct BDGP deadline.
Who sired the beef calves of Spring 2020?
647,698 beef calves (beef sire x beef dam) were born on Irish farms in the first 6 months of 2020. Of these, 109,840 are registered to beef AI sires. This represents approximately 17% of all beef calves born. 55% of the calves were registered to a Stockbull with 27% approximately having no sire recorded.