At a recent ICBF industry meeting, information was presented which showed 25,100 herd owners have returned the required information for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP), while 23,700 participants have returned their tag samples (a total of 310,000 tissue samples). The ICBF is advising farmers to submit any outstanding information or tag samples as soon as possible to allow the Department to proceed with outstanding payments.

The ICBF is also currently working its way through genotype or sire and farmer errors, with details of such due to be communicated from the end of this week.

There is also a reminder for autumn-calving herds to submit information on calves which have exceeded five months of age. This can be completed at www.icbf.com and through farm software packages, while hard copy documents can be requested by emailing query@icbf.com or calling the helpline on 1850 625 626.

BVD support programme

Farmers are being reminded about timelines for support under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine financial supports programme for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD). For suckler herds a payment of €140 is available for each persistently infected (PI) calf born from a beef breed sire, as long as the animal is disposed of to a knackery, meat plant or abattoir within five weeks of the first test. This payment reduces to €90 for calves disposed of within seven weeks of the first test. For dairy herds the payment is €120 and €70 for disposal within five and seven weeks respectively.

Fuel survey

Fuel prices remain static, with no change for car diesel at the pumps or for deliveries of kerosene or gas oil.