These reports are particularly significant for programme participants as they are the first to include genomic evaluations. Reports will be made available online (www.icbf.com) for all herds as soon as they are generated and will also be posted to all programme participants.

The report

This report will have the most up-to-date indexes for all animals. Some animals will have genomics included and others will not. The report has been updated to include a column which shows the animal’s genomic status. There are three possible statuses:

  • DNA Requested – DNA sample requested but not yet returned from farm.
  • DNA Returned – DNA sample returned from farm and is currently being processed.
  • Genomic Evaluation – Animal has genomics included in its €uro-Star Index.
  • Animals that do not have a status have not been selected for genotyping to date. These animals may be identified for genotyping in future. The majority of animals that have been sampled as part of the 2016 genotyping requirements will not have a genomic evaluation in the August run. Provided tissue samples were returned on time and there are no issues with the sample quality, these animals should have a genomic evaluation in the December run.

    Farmers should pay particular notice to the first two pages of the report. The first page details the herd’s reference number as well as the 2018 and 2020 replacement female targets. Unless a herd changed its reference number, the replacement female targets on the first page will not have changed.

    The number of stock bulls that meet the BDGP criteria is also listed at the bottom of this page. This number may change as bulls move in and out of a herd and/or a bull’s €uro-Star Index changes. The second page contains a table which gives a breakdown of a herd by star rating. Females in each herd are divided into three groups – Cows, heifers of one year and older, and heifers less than a year old. The animals are then divided out according to the number of stars which they have. Farmers should take note of the percentages of 4- or 5-star females relative to the herd’s reference number. These percentages are detailed in the far right column of this table.

    The main body of the report is broken into three sections – commercial females, purebred females and breeding males. Farmers can analyse the index figures of individual animals here. Farmers have the option to generate new BDGP reports online. This facility is useful where a farmer wants to continually monitor the percentages of 4- or 5-star females as animals move in and out of a herd.

    Carbon Navigator

    All BDGP applicants are reminded that the carbon navigator, which is a compulsory requirement of the programme, must be completed by 31 October 2016. This must be completed with the assistance of a DAFM-approved agricultural adviser. There will be no cost to the farmer for completing the Carbon Navigator, but the farmer must make contact with a DAFM-approved adviser to make an appointment to complete it. The responsibility is with the farmer to make the necessary arrangements to complete this by 31 October. For a list of DAFM-approved advisers, go to www.agriculture.gov.ie.

    Tissue Tags

    Approximately 90% of 2016 BDGP tissue tags have been returned to date. This is excellent progress and BDGP applicants who have yet to return tags are encouraged to do so ASAP in order to receive genomic evaluations in the December evaluation run. If you have any questions, please contact ICBF on 1850-625 626 or email query@icbf.com.

    Q&A

    Q. Why do none of the animals which I tagged in 2016 have genomic indexes?

    A. When tissue/hair samples are returned, the DNA must be extracted and the resultant DNA information must be collected and sent to ICBF. This data must then be added to the €uro-Star Index of the animal. This is done through a process called a genetic evaluation. ICBF carries out genetic evaluations three times per year (April, Aug and Dec). Unfortunately, most of the 2016 samples were not returned in time for the August evaluation. These animals will, however, receive a genomic proof in the December genetic evaluation run. The new BDGP €uro-Star report will tell you the exact status of an animal’s DNA sample.

    Q. How will I know if an animal has a genomic index?

    A. ICBF has updated all beef reports and online profiles to highlight genotyped animals. A new column has been added to the BDGP €uro-Star report to show an animal’s current genomic status. The animal search has been updated so that a green bar with text saying “Genotype included in evaluation” is displayed for animals with genomic indexes.

    FARMER FOCUS: WESLEY BROWNE

    A balanced animal is important for my system

    Name: Wesley Browne, Dunraymond, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan

    Farming system: Suckler to beef.

    4- and 5-star females: Cows: 77; Heifers: 54.

    Stock bull or AI: Mainly stock bull with some AI

    Replacement strategy: Breed my own.

    Wesley Browne runs an 80-cow, spring-calving suckler herd outside Monaghan town. Wesley was profiled as part of the BDGP training videos earlier this year. Almost all of Wesley’s cows and heifers are 4 or 5 stars on the Replacement Index.

    What is your farming system?

    All of the male progeny are slaughtered as U16-month bull beef. I keep enough heifers to satisfy my own replacement requirements. Suitable surplus heifers are sold for breeding and any unsuitable heifers are slaughtered. I won’t sell heifers to another farmer for breeding if I’m not willing to breed them myself. I have been heavily focused on maternal traits while maintaining good growth. Having a good balance is important to my farming system as my females are suitable for breeding and my males achieve high carcase performance.

    Were you happy with the genomic indexes on your stock?

    I was actually a little disappointed as one of my bulls dropped on his Replacement Index from €160 to €117. He dropped on his milk figure as a result of genomics. He’s still 5 stars on the Replacement Index though and his Terminal Index has risen. My other stock bull has increased from €90 to €105 and 77/79 cows are 4 or 5 stars on the Replacement Index so I’m in a good position.

    Do you plan to make any changes to your breeding strategy?

    I’m always trying to improve my cows. Milk is a trait that I focus on a lot as it is so important. I would like to try to reduce the size of my cows as well. I weigh my cows every year and some of the cows are too heavy for my liking. I have a good market for my surplus heifers every year and I plan to continue supplying this market.

    Dates for the diary

    31 October: Deadline for completion of the Carbon Navigator as part of the BDGP requirements. Please make arrangements to complete the Carbon Navigator with an approved adviser ASAP. For a list of approved advisers, go to http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/beefschemes