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Farmers are being asked to report any calves born on farms this spring with defects.
The information will be used to identify defects within the national herd and identify cows and bulls that produce progeny with defects.
It will also help to study any environmental toxins or new infectious agents in a geographical area.
In the longer term, the information will be fed into the ICBF genotyping process so that it will be able to predict such defects from potential matings.
This will help farmers avoid potentially expensive breeding mistakes.
1. Ensure that the calf is tagged and registered within 28 days of birth.
2. Where the calf is still on the farm, call the ICBF as soon as possible. They may require you to take a DNA sample of the calf. You can call HerdPlus on 023 882 0452.
3. Record as much information as possible about the calf at this online survey.
4. Where possible, take a picture of the abnormality. Farmers can email the pictures, along with the tag number of the animal, to health@icbf.com. Be sure to include an object (for example a biro) in the picture to give the ICBF an indication of scale.
Vets and members of industry can also record information on animals with defects via the same survey.
Last year an ICBF online survey showed that whole body defects such as dwarfism were among the most commonly reported defects on Irish farms.
Genetic cattle defects costing farmers €1.7m per year
Deformed calves under the spotlight
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