Number of samples arriving at ICBF up 20% year on year

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) received over 90,000 DNA samples in the last week, an increase of 20% on this time last year.

A total of 114,448 calf samples were processed in the lab, with each sample spending an average of 4.3 days there.

According to the ICBF, the average turnaround time from birth to passport being issued was 14 days last week.

Meanwhile, the average time from birth to the sample being received in the lab was 7.1 days.

As calving continues across the country, the ICBF has encouraged all farmers to regularly post DNA and BVD samples to avoid potential postage delays.

Recommended

It has been recommended that farmers send DNA samples to the lab at least twice per week at peak calving.

As calving slows down, it may be sufficient for samples to be sent once per week.

"Please be advised that postal delays may also occur in the delivery of the animal passports. Unfortunately, these delays are outside of [the] ICBF’s control," a spokesperson said.

Since calving season kicked off this year, some 426,950 calf samples have been received into the genotyping lab.