High-index cows leave an additional €50 more profit per progeny than lower-index cows. This is through a combination of better female fertility performance, longer cow survival, more milk (for her calf) and the ability to produce a decent calf every year. The question for farmers is how to identify these cows and, more importantly, to ensure you have a steady stream of high-indexed replacement females coming into your herd annually. The answer to both of these questions will be evident from the information displayed in the G€N€ IR€LAND marquee.

The objective of the G€N€ IR€LAND programme is to increase genetic gain in the suckler beef industry through working closely with those stakeholders and farmers who are prepared to provide high-quality information for beef cattle breeding. Key stakeholders include ICBF, herdbooks, AI companies, Teagasc, pedigree bull breeders and commercial suckler farmers.

At this stage, 200 pedigree bull breeding herds and 600 commercial suckler beef herds are involved in G€N€ IR€LAND, with the goal being to grow to 1,000 herds in each category over the next two to three years. Anyone interested in learning more about the programme, including the specific benefits it can generate for pedigree and commercial beef farmers, should visit the G€N€ IR€LAND marquee on the day.

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There will be 14 exhibits in the marquee, including a stand for each of the 10 breeding programmes that operate under the G€N€ IR€LAND umbrella (Angus, Aubrac, Belgian Blue, Blonde d’Aquitaine, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Parthenaise, Saler, Simmental and Shorthorn), stands for our two AI partners NCBC (incorporating Munster Cattle Breeding & Progressive Genetics) and Dovea AI and a stand for ICBF.

In addition, there will be a stand highlighting the latest work on the genetics of meat eating quality, including an opportunity to sample steaks from many of the sires that have been progeny tested through the G€N€ IR€LAND programme over the past number of years. So, if you are looking for information on the business of beef cattle breeding, or even if you are a little hungry and looking for some tasty strips of meat, make your way to the G€N€ IR€LAND marquee. You won’t be disappointed.