Further pressure is mounting on the Beef Genomics Scheme after it was revealed that the Department of Agriculture is proposing that participants have 20% of the suckler herd bred from four- or five-star sires by 2017/2018.

The details emerged after a meeting on Wednesday between farm organisations and the Department of Agriculture. It is understood that the proposal has five key requirements:

  • 20% of herd bred from four- or five-star sires by 2017/2018: It’s understood that the proposals contain a requirement that participants must have 20% of the suckler herd bred from four- or five-star maternal sires by 2017/2018.
  • Data recording: Date on calving, docility, calf quality and cow milk ability are expected to be returned to the ICBF. by the participant.
  • Training: Like the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme (SCWS), farmers will have to partake in training.
  • Carbon navigator: Farmers partaking in the scheme are expected to complete a carbon navigator.
  • Genomic testing of stock: It is understood that approximately 15% of the payment will be attributed to genomic testing.

    • This will most likely see an increase in the number of animals which must undergo testing from the previous scheme.

    IFA National Livestock chair Henry Burns has warned Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney that the criteria cannot be restrictive or set at too high a level so that they swallow up the positive financial benefits to suckler farmers and turn away applications.

    With questions over the effectiveness of the maternal index, Burns said it would be unfair to base the programme so heavily around the maternal index.