Farmers now have the choice to choose which tag supplier they wish to buy genomic test tags from for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP).
This week BDGP farmers received a letter outlining the change. However, two different letters were issued – both with different instructions and which has led to some confusion amongst farmers in the scheme. Farmers either received one letter or the other.
No declaration – no tags
One of the letters included with it a declaration form, which has to be sent back to the beef schemes section of the Department of Agriculture.
The letter, seen by the Irish Farmers Journal and dated 15 February reads: “Up to now, genomic test tags were sourced from just one supplier. However three suppliers are now producing tags that are suitable for this testing, Cormac Tagging Ltd, Datamars Agri Ltd and Mullinahone Co-operative Dairy Society Ltd (Eurotags).
“It is open to you now to choose your tag supplier for the genomic testing tags for the 2018 scheme year.
“Please complete the attached form and return to Beef Schemes Section, Dept. of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Government Buildings, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
“This notification should be provided by 28 February. Tags cannot issue without this declaration.”
Meanwhile, a second letter, dated 13 February, which issued to other BDGP farmers and seen by the Irish Farmers Journal gave farmers in the scheme two options:
1. Having examined DAFM records, your tag supplier for official animal identification tags in 2017 was [name of tag supplier]… You do not need to take any further action if you do not wish to change your genomic tag supplier for 2018.2. If you wish to change your tag supplier for genomic testing tags, you can complete the attached form and return [to the Department’s beef scheme section]. This notification should be provided by 23 February. If this notification is not received by this date, tags will be ordered from your existing supplier.It appears that some farmers, regardless of whether they decided to change supplier or not, will receive tags without sending a form back to the department, while others will have to send back a declaration in order to receive any genomic tags at all for 2018.
It is not known yet how many farmers received each of the letters.
Read more
ICBF clarifies eligibility reports
How much is the BDGP worth to your county?
Farmers now have the choice to choose which tag supplier they wish to buy genomic test tags from for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP).
This week BDGP farmers received a letter outlining the change. However, two different letters were issued – both with different instructions and which has led to some confusion amongst farmers in the scheme. Farmers either received one letter or the other.
No declaration – no tags
One of the letters included with it a declaration form, which has to be sent back to the beef schemes section of the Department of Agriculture.
The letter, seen by the Irish Farmers Journal and dated 15 February reads: “Up to now, genomic test tags were sourced from just one supplier. However three suppliers are now producing tags that are suitable for this testing, Cormac Tagging Ltd, Datamars Agri Ltd and Mullinahone Co-operative Dairy Society Ltd (Eurotags).
“It is open to you now to choose your tag supplier for the genomic testing tags for the 2018 scheme year.
“Please complete the attached form and return to Beef Schemes Section, Dept. of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Government Buildings, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
“This notification should be provided by 28 February. Tags cannot issue without this declaration.”
Meanwhile, a second letter, dated 13 February, which issued to other BDGP farmers and seen by the Irish Farmers Journal gave farmers in the scheme two options:
1. Having examined DAFM records, your tag supplier for official animal identification tags in 2017 was [name of tag supplier]… You do not need to take any further action if you do not wish to change your genomic tag supplier for 2018.2. If you wish to change your tag supplier for genomic testing tags, you can complete the attached form and return [to the Department’s beef scheme section]. This notification should be provided by 23 February. If this notification is not received by this date, tags will be ordered from your existing supplier.It appears that some farmers, regardless of whether they decided to change supplier or not, will receive tags without sending a form back to the department, while others will have to send back a declaration in order to receive any genomic tags at all for 2018.
It is not known yet how many farmers received each of the letters.
Read more
ICBF clarifies eligibility reports
How much is the BDGP worth to your county?
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