The first in-person training events in the Bovine Genetics Project are now being offered by Countryside Services Ltd (CSL).
The project, which is being delivered by Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG) in partnership with DAERA, provides cattle farmers with a range of performance and genetic information on their herds. There is also the potential to avail of free genotyping of breeding animals as well as genotyping of all calves born in the herd during 2027.
Taking part in the genotyping element of the scheme is voluntary, however, cattle farmers must sign up to the wider project and undertake training by May 2028 or risk penalties being applied to their Farm Sustainability Payments.
The training is being offered to those farmers who have already registered for the project and this should be done via the SRG website (www.srgni.com). The training events will explain the benefits of genetic improvement, how the genotyping scheme works and outline how to access herd data. There are separate dates and venues dependent on whether a farm business is in dairy or beef. Training can also be completed online by accessing the bovine genetics project link on the CAFRE website (www.cafre.ac.uk).
Pre-booking for the in-person events is essential and can be done by ringing CSL on 028 8778 9770 or online via the CAFRE website. Photographic ID must be shown, with registration on the evening from 6.30pm, with the event commencing at 7pm.
The first events being offered are:
